2018 Isuzu MU-X

It's that time of the year again, the time of the year to test the limits of man and machine.

The Isuzu MU-X facelift is just another full-size SUV in this crowded space of seven-seater premium vehicles. It might lose in terms of pedigree and lineage that the Toyota Fortuner offers, or modern equipment that the Ford Endeavour, Skoda Kodiaq or even the Mahindra Alturas for that matter provide. However, it makes up with its preposterous size and muscularity. Then, there’s its sheer simplicity, old-school charm and off-road capability that excited us. No wonder then, when they say MU-X, it means ‘Makes U eXciting’. Under its high and long bonnet, is a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine which churns out 174bhp of power at just 3,600rpm and 430Nm of torque at 1,800rpm. Well, it has proved itself to be a good highway mile muncher or a family freighter. But now, through our off-road tests, we see if it can double up as a capable off-roader.

A spotter functions as the set of eyes for the person behind the wheel.