2025 Isuzu mu-X Palawan Drive: Road trip in business class
Enjoying a Palawan road trip with the 2025 Isuzu mu-X, complete with captain seats
When it comes to long road trips, nothing beats sitting in a relaxing vehicle that keeps the outside world at bay while you get to enjoy the drive or perhaps relax in the backseat as you lull yourself to sleep.
On my end, though, I’d rather be the designated driver when it comes to road trips, as I particularly enjoy the stimulation while driving. With hundreds of kilometers of road ahead of us, my favorite tunes, and the chance of taking the scenic route, I always jump at the chance to sit behind the wheel.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently invited us for a ride-and-drive of the refreshed 2025 mu-X, but instead of just driving towards Northern or Southern Luzon, the automaker decided to do something better. For this trip, IPC brought us to Palawan to test out the refreshed mu-X. Since this will be my first trip ever to the island, I was more than eager to join.
A Welcome Surprise
It was an uneventful morning when we took off from Manila and touched down at Puerto Princesa just several hours later. Apart from some minor runway congestion at NAIA, I was already thinking of seeing blue crystal waters and sunny skies once we hit the road. Mother Nature, however, had other plans as cloudy gray skies greeted us in Palawan.
After gathering our checked-in luggage and meeting at the parking lot, our steeds for the next 280 km were already waiting for us outside Puerto Princesa International Airport. That’s right, we will be taking the 2025 mu-X from Puerto Princesa City all the way to El Nido. With an estimated travel time of five to six hours (not counting bathroom breaks, driver changes, and other unplanned stops), there was no time like the present.
Like most drives, we were assigned to a specific car that we’ll drive (and ride) to our destination. What I wasn’t expecting when I opened the doors to our assigned vehicle was a pair of captain seats in the back. No, we’re not kidding, that is what I saw the moment I popped the rear doors. Since the mu-X is already a comfortable vehicle to begin with, I couldn’t wait to test out how comfy the SUV will be out on the open road.
First revealed as the mu-X Executive Edition, the concept they showed during last year’s Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) is actually a working vehicle. Heck, Isuzu PH said this is the same vehicle shown last year, minus the stylish alloy wheels. With more than half a day’s drive going to El Nido, I decided to kick back and take the back seat first.
Comfy (and High-Tech) Rider
The mu-X was never available with captain seats from the factory, so I was surprised how Isuzu was able to make it a reality. With the help of Primera Klasse, a local outfitter that transforms vehicles into mobile lounges, the 2025 mu-X we were in looks like it came straight from the factory with the relaxing seats.
As I sat on the comfy chair, I was immediately taken aback by how high I was seated, giving me a commanding seating position despite being in the back. But if you thought the captain seats were manual adjust, I'm happy to report they're power-adjustable. From moving the backrests to raising or lowering the ottomans, they are indeed the best seats in the house (or in this case, SUV).
I'm also glad that the seats come with built-in USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Sure, the mu-X already comes with rear USB charging ports and a 230V socket that can recharge laptops, but props to Isuzu (and Primera Klasse) for having those charging ports available on the seats. In case you want an even cooler experience, the seats are also ventilated, which is always a godsend in case the weather is hot.
With my phone hooked up and myself relaxing in the seats, I got to enjoy what it's like to sit in business class while on the road. Despite some bumpy roads and some pock-marked streets, the Isuzu mu-X's soft ride and the comfy captain seats made short work of the undulations and some minor potholes. Perhaps the only thing missing on the captain seats is a folding table that can be stowed away in the middle so you can either work on your laptop or have a meal while on the go.
Beast of Burden
After several hours of me relaxing in the captain seats, it was now time for me to get behind the wheel of the 2025 mu-X. While some might say there will not be much difference, do remember that the seats themselves are heavier than the factory rear bench.
Heck, the mu-X we drove even came with custom leather upholstery on the seats, steering wheel, and dashboard. Moreover, the outfitter also installed thicker headlining and custom carpet matting, which slightly adds to the vehicle's heft.
As before, the 3.0L 4JJ3-TCX turbo-diesel engine powers the 2025 mu-X. With 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque on tap, the SUV has more than enough grunt to propel itself, the luggage, and ourselves. However, you do feel the extra weight every time you accelerate from a standstill. Yes, the engine has plenty of torque available, but it has to get up to speed in order to move all that heft. At highway speeds, however, power delivery is more or less the same, thanks to the transmission that keeps the engine at the optimal powerband.
Frame-based SUVs may not be known for their handling capabilities. But I'm happy to say that the mu-X can still handle its own through the twisty roads. It's no crossover, but taking turn after turn through Palawan wasn't much of a chore, thankfully. Yes, there's still body roll to contend with, but nothing too out of the ordinary when it comes to tall SUVs such as the mu-X.
However, I do wish Isuzu would switch from hydraulic power steering to the electronic kind in a future update. While not entirely bad, it's heavier to turn the steering wheel when you're just driving around town or parking the mu-X. Some brands have already introduced electronic power steering as standard to their 7-seater SUVs, so we're hoping Isuzu makes the change as well in the not-so-distant future.
Still a favorite
After covering 280 km, going through rain-swept roads, fording through some floods, and getting to enjoy the Palawan scenery when the sun finally showed up, we arrived at our destination, Lio Beach in El Nido. It took us roughly 6 hours to get from Puerto Princesa all the way to El Nido, and despite the long hours on the road, we still felt fresh and relaxed thanks to the mu-X's soft ride and the captain seats we were so lucky to get on this trip.
While electrified and turbocharged crossovers may all be the rage today, the 2025 Isuzu mu-X is proof that for some customers, a frame-based, turbo-diesel-powered, 7-seater SUV is still one of the best road trip vehicles available.
It may not be the most high-tech vehicle available, but it keeps up with the times thanks to its 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. The 3.0L 4JJ3-TCX may not be as powerful as some hybrid systems, but it still has gobs of torque and is quite refined compared to other turbo-diesel engines in the segment. It's no Mercedes-Benz, but ride comfort is still one of the best when compared to its closest rivals. Last but not least, the 2025 Isuzu mu-X may be the only SUV in the PPV market that can be equipped with captain seats.
The 2025 Isuzu mu-X may not be an all-new vehicle, but that's okay. Because what it has is proven technology, proven reliability & durability, and proven comfort through the years. There's a good reason why there are customers who still swear by the Isuzu brand.
