Saar: The butch seven-seater gets cosmetic tweaks inside and out, more equipment but with the same engine-transmission combinations as before.

In the full-sized SUV segment, Isuzu has been playing the catching-up game in India. Not anymore! The Japanese automaker has launched the MU-X facelift in India. It, just like in its pre-facelift avatar, is available in two variants – 4×2 AT and 4×4 AT. While the former is priced at Rs 26.27 lakh, the latter would cost you Rs 28.23 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom Hyderabad). It must be noted that this iteration of the Isuzu MU-X has been on sale in international markets since May last year. That’s around the same time when Isuzu launched the pre-facelift version of the MU-X in India.

In its refreshed avatar, the Isuzu MU-X gets a bunch of cosmetic updates, including new headlamp enclosures which house LED DRLs and projector units, restyled front and rear bumpers, LED inserts in the taillamps and 18-inch alloy wheels, which are 1-inch larger than before. Inside the cabin, you get black leather upholstery, panels with a soft-touch finish, bright silver-finished centre cluster and chrome accents on vents.

On the features front, the Isuzu MU-X facelift comes with 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, cruise control, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system mated to an 8-speaker sound system, Bi-LED projector headlamps with auto-levelling and three power outlets and USB ports each. Isuzu has also upped the SUV’s safety quotient as it now comes with 6 airbags as standard. The list of safety gizmos also includes 4-channel ABS with EBD, emergency brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats, rear-view camera and automatic door lock release on airbag deployment.

Mechanically, the Isuzu MU-X facelift retains the same specifications as before. Both variants are powered by a 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine that puts out 177PS of power and 380Nm of torque. It comes coupled as standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission which routes the power to two or all four wheels, depending on the variant chosen. What’s worth noting is that the powertrain is BS IV compliant and not with the stricter BS VI norms, which will come into effect from April 1, 2020. Isuzu is also offering a class-leading 5 year / 1.5 lakh km warranty along with five free periodic services with the MU-X facelift.

The Isuzu MU-X has always been a potent offering and the refreshed version is a lot more enticing. In India, the seven-seater SUV competes with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Other options like the Skoda Kodiaq, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Volkswagen Tiguan are in the same price bracket.