2024 Ford Everest vs Isuzu MU-X: Spec battle

When it comes to large, ute-based SUVs the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X are the picks of the people.

The two models accounted for nearly 30,000 new car sales in 2023, and the sales race between the pair is neck-and-neck heading into the second half of 2024.

Buyers have plenty of choice across both models, with a combined 15 variants between them, making it tricky to decipher the best buy.

That’s especially true near the top of the tree, where the Everest Sport 4WD and MU-X LS-T 4×4 are separated by fine margins.

With that in mind, here’s a head-to-head comparison of these two fierce rivals.

Pricing

The Sport 4WD is the second most expensive variant in the Everest range, coming in at $73,740 before on-road costs.

It’s $4340 more expensive than the MU-X LS-T, which is priced below $70,000 before on-roads despite sitting at the top of the MU-X range.

You’ll also pay a premium for the Ford when comparing base models, as the Ambiente is nearly $7000 dearer than the equivalent MU-X LS-M.

Drivetrains and efficiency

These large SUVs both source power from 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, but the Everest powerplant packs two extra cylinders.

The Ford produces 184kW and 600Nm from its turbo-diesel V6, 44kW and 150Nm more than the turbo-diesel four-cylinder in the Isuzu.

Both cars will shift gears themselves, although the 10-speed Everest has more ratios than the six-speed MU-X.

The Ford is slightly thirstier than the Isuzu though, with a claimed fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km – 0.2L/100km more than the MU-X.

Dimensions

The Ford Everest is larger than the Isuzu MU-X in every dimension, and weighs an extra 288kg.

Despite the size advantage, the Everest can’t match the MU-X for boot space – the Isuzu has 52L more room with three rows of seating in place, and 315L with two rows folded down.

Bear in mind, the two brands use different measurement standards, and in our experience have similar boots in reality.

Both cars boast a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

Servicing and warranty

The Everest is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Ford range.

Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, and the first five services are each priced at $379 under the Blue Oval’s capped-price service program – $50 higher per service than in pre-MY24 vehicles.

The 2024 Isuzu MU-X is covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty. When you service on schedule at an Isuzu dealer, up to seven years of roadside assistance is offered.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, apart from a complimentary three-month service. 

Safety

The Ford Everest earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

It scored 86 per cent score for adult occupant protection, a 93 per cent score for child occupant protection, a 74 per cent score for vulnerable road user protection, and an 86 per cent safety assist score.

The five-star rating applies to the whole Everest range, and is based on tests carried out on the closely related Ford Ranger ute.

The 2024 Ford Everest comes with the following standard safety equipment:

• Nine airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Reverse AEB
• Post-impact braking
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Driver attention alert
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Reverse camera
• Front and rear parking sensors

The Isuzu MU-X has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, issued in July 2022 after a redesign to the driver’s knee airbag and instrument panel.

It received an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, child occupant protection score of 85 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 69 per cent, and safety assist score of 84 per cent.

The 2024 Isuzu MU-X range comes standard with the following safety features:

• Eight airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Turn assist
• Forward collision warning
• Post-collision braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic auto switch off (NEW)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Emergency lane-keeping
• Land Support System switch
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Trailer sway control
• Traffic sign recognition
• Wrong-pedal braking
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

Isuzu MU-X LS-U variants and above also receive front parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Standard features

The Ford Everest Sport 4WD comes standard with the following features:

• All-season tyres
• LED reflector headlights
• C-shaped LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights
• LED tail lights
• Black side steps
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Two front tow hooks
• Steel underbody protection (4×4 model only)
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Embedded modem
• Wireless phone charger
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Embedded voice assistant
• FordPass with remote start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Driver floor mat
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Dash-mounted pull-out cupholders
• Open storage shelf
• Tilt and reach steering wheel adjustment
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• Vinyl console lid
• Electronic parking brake
• e-Shifter gear shifter
• Locking rear differential
• Push-button selectable drive modes
• Privacy glass
• Power tailgate
• Heated, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps
• 12-inch Sync4 touchscreen infotainment screen
• Seven seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Driver and passenger floor mats
• Upper glove box
• Off-road screen
• Rotary drive mode selector
• Sand, Mud/Ruts drive modes
• Black stand-off roof rails
• Zone lighting
• 20-inch black alloy wheels with matching spare
• Black exterior accents
• Black 3D bonnet lettering
• 10-speaker sound system
• Unique leather-accented upholstery with ‘SPORT’ embossing
• Unique interior colour accents
• 10-way power driver seat with memory
• Eight-way power passenger seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats

MORE: Everything Ford Everest

The Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4×4 comes standard with the following features:

• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• LED daytime running lights
• LED combination tail lights
• Dark grey metallic tail light accents
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Under-front steel skid plate
• Steel plate guards
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 4.2-inch digital multi-function display
• Second and third row air vents
• Electric park brake
• Keyless entry
• Push-button start
• 4×4 select dial
• Rear differential lock button
• Carpet flooring
• Seven seats
• Highway terrain tyres
• Tungsten silver and chrome grille
• Heated, body-coloured mirrors with built-in indicators
• Magnetite aluminium side steps
• Magnetite fog light surrounds
• Magnetite bumper trim
• Magnetite roof rails
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Privacy glass
• Front parking sensors
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite navigation
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• Walk-away door locking
• Tyre-pressure monitoring
• Leather steering wheel
• Leather gear selector
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Sun visor vanity mirrors
• Driver’s seat power lumbar support
• 20-inch machined two-tone alloy wheels
• Remote engine start
• Ambient interior lighting
• Centre console overhead guide light
• Stitched leatherette door trims and centre console
• Leather-accented upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment with power lumbar support
• Four-way electric front passenger’s seat adjustment

MORE: Everything Isuzu MU-X