Kind of like trying to imagine a new search engine trying to take on Google, it isn’t easy for a newcomer wanting to muscle into a turf ruled by the Toyota Fortuner, and to a lesser extent the Ford Everest.

Both the Toyota and Ford have their diehard fans, and Isuzu’s new MU-X seven seater faces a tough ride to steal some market share in this league of "real" SUVs, ie those that place more emphasis on rugged adventuring ability than softroaders that are more about car-like driving characteristics. It’s not Isuzu’s first crack at this segment, though it’s been two decades since the brand’s previous SUV contender, the Isuzu Frontier, was sold here. Still, Isuzu has a lot of brand equity through the KB bakkie, on which the MU-X is based. In May the MU-X reached local showrooms in two versions, a 4x2 and a 4x4, as the first vehicle to be launched by Isuzu SA following the exit of former parent firm General Motors in 2017...

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