√Isuzu D-Max and MU-X prices rise by up to $2000, mid-grade models still cost more than flagship editions

Isuzu has again increased prices for the D-Max ute and MU-X four-wheel-drive wagon. And mid-grade models still cost more than the top-of-the-range editions.

The Isuzu D-Max ute and Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive wagon have received a new round of price rises of up to $2000 – and an unusual price anomaly continues to baffle would-be buyers.

As has been the case since the arrival of the new-generation models, the flagship variants of the Isuzu D-Max ute and Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive are cheaper than the next model down in their respective ranges.

The price of the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain has risen to $64,990 drive-away – an increase of $2000 compared to its most recent drive-away offer.

The latest price hike on the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is also $6000 (or 10 per cent) dearer than the launch price of $58,990 drive-away in late 2020.

However, the next model down from the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain – the Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ (pictured above) – is listed on the Isuzu Ute Australia website between $68,038 drive-away and $70,536 drive-away, depending on stamp duty and registration charges in each state and territory.

This means the drive-away price for the lesser-equipped Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ is, in round numbers, $3000 to $5500 dearer than the top-of-the-range Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain.

Examples of the drive-away price differences across the top two Isuzu D-Max ute models – as they appear on the Isuzu website – are pictured below.

It’s a similar story with the Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive wagon.

The top-of-the-range Isuzu MU-X LS-T four-wheel-drive wagon is now listed at $65,990 drive-away – an increase of $2000 compared to its previous drive-away offer.

However, the next model down – the Isuzu MU-X LS-U four-wheel-drive wagon – is listed between $66,349 drive-away and $68,275 drive-away in most parts of Australia, according to the Isuzu Ute Australia website.

This means the drive-away price for the Isuzu MU-X LS-U four-wheel-drive wagon is between $360 and $2285 dearer than the flagship LS-T in all but two jurisdictions – the Northern Territory and Queensland – where it is only $18 to $115 cheaper than the next model up with all the bells and whistles.

Examples of the drive-away price differences across the top two Isuzu MU-X wagon models – as they appear on the Isuzu website – are pictured below.

While variations in stamp duty and registration charges explain some of the price anomalies on lower grade models, that’s not why Isuzu and its dealers are able to sell the most expensive variants at a lower cost than lesser-equipped vehicles.

Despite being faced with frustrated customers who have noticed the unusual price anomalies, dealers are not able to automatically apply the same discount to lesser models in the range – because the special drive-away pricing offers are funded by the Isuzu Ute Australia head office.

It means buyers are faced with selecting a higher model grade – often with features they don’t want or need – or pay a higher price.

Prior to the arrival of the new-generation Isuzu D-Max ute in 2020 and the Isuzu MU-X wagon in 2021, Isuzu Ute Australia published transparent prices across most model grades.

Meantime, the cheapest model in the Isuzu D-Max range – the 1.9-litre SX 4×2 manual cab-chassis “traffic controller” – has increased by $2000 from $29,990 drive-away to $31,990 drive-away, a price rise of 6.7 per cent.

Isuzu Ute Australia issued a price list that shows recommended prices rises introduced on 1 April 2022 ranged from 1.8 to 3.2 per cent, an increase of between $1000 and $1600 depending on the model.

However, drive-away prices published on Isuzu Ute Australia’s website show the increases amount up to $2000.

Isuzu Ute Australia says it will honour previous prices on deals signed for vehicles ordered prior to 1 April 2022, as legally required.

Below is a list of the revised recommended pricing for the Isuzu D-Max and Isuzu MU-X ranges from April 2022 (excluding on-road costs):

Isuzu D-Max ute prices from April 2022

4×2

D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 manual (1.9-litre): Was $31,200, now $32,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 auto (1.9-litre): Was $33,200, now $34,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 manual (3.0-litre): Was $33,200, now $34,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $35,200, now $36,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Space Cab Chassis 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $38,700, now $39,700 – up $1000
D-Max SX Crew Cab Chassis 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $41,700, now $42,700 – up $1000
D-Max SX Crew Cab Ute 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $42,900, now $44,200 – up $1300
D-Max LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $51,400, now $53,000 – up $1600

4×4

D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×4 manual (3.0-litre): Was $41,200, now $42,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $43,200, now $44,200 – up $1000
D-Max SX Space Cab Chassis 4×4 manual (3.0-litre): Was $44,700, now $45,700 – up $1000
D-Max SX Space Cab Chassis 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $46,700, now $47,700 – up $1000
D-Max SX Crew Cab Chassis 4×4 manual (3.0-litre): Was $47,700, now $48,700 – up $1000
D-Max SX Crew Cab Chassis 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $49,700, now $50,700 – up $1000
D-Max LS-M Crew Cab Chassis 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $52,800, now $53,800 – up $1000
D-Max LS-U Crew Cab Chassis 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $58,200, now $59,500 – up $1300
D-Max SX Crew Cab Ute 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $50,900, now $52,200 – up $1300
D-Max LS-M Crew Cab Ute 4×4 manual (3.0-litre): Was $52,000, now $53,300 – up $1300
D-Max LS-M Crew Cab Ute 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $54,000, now $55,300 – up $1300
D-Max LS-U Space Cab Ute 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $56,400, now $58,000 – up $1600
D-Max LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4×4 manual (3.0-litre): Was $57,400, now $59,000 – up $1600
D-Max LS-U Crew Cab Ute 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $59,400, now $61,000 – up $1600
D-Max LS-U+ Crew Cab Ute 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $61,900, now $63,500 – up $1600
D-Max X-Terrain Crew Cab 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $65,900, now $67,500 – up $1600

Isuzu MU-X wagon prices from April 2022

MU-X LS-M 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $47,900, now $48,900 – up $1000
MU-X LS-U 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $53,900, now $55,400 – up $1500
MU-X LS-T 4×2 auto (3.0-litre): Was $59,900, now $61,400 – up $1500
MU-X LS-M 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $53,900, now $54,900 – up $1000
MU-X LS-U 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $59,900, now $61,400 – up $1500
MU-X LS-T 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $65,900, now $67,400 – up $1500

Isuzu drive-away offers from April 2022

Isuzu D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 manual (1.9-litre): Was $29,990 drive-away, now $31,990 drive-away – up $2000
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Double Cab 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $62,990 drive-away, now $64,990 drive-away – up $2000
Isuzu MU-X 4×4 auto (3.0-litre): Was $63,990 drive-away, now $65,990 drive-away – up $2000

The post Isuzu D-Max and MU-X prices rise by up to $2000, mid-grade models still cost more than flagship editions appeared first on Drive.