Chery Chery Q vs Isuzu MU-X

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Chery Chery Q in South Africa

Chery Chery Q

Upcoming
Launch price pending
Upcoming in South Africa Confirmed launch information and specifications remain visible while final availability is pending.
VS
Isuzu MU-X in South Africa

Isuzu MU-X

3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 973,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance MU-X
Fuel Economy MU-X
🛡 Safety MU-X
📦 Practicality MU-X
🔑 Ownership Chery Q

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Chery Q MU-X
Maximum Power - 110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque - 350 Nm
Engine Size - 3000 cc
Claimed Mileage - 13.2 km/l
Ground Clearance - 235 mm
Boot / Load Bay - -
Airbags - Standard
Kerb Weight - 2080 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty - 5 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

MU-X dominates this comparison with clear advantages across multiple categories.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance MU-X +12 pts
Efficiency MU-X +2 pts
Safety MU-X +94 pts
Practicality MU-X +38 pts
Ownership Chery Q +6 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Chery Q

Strengths
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: General Use
🏆 Overall Winner

MU-X

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

Chery Q

  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

MU-X

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Chery Q MU-X
Model Introduced Year - 2013
Generation - Current generation MU-X built on Isuzu D-Max platform
Facelift History - Latest updates improved styling and safety tech
Facelift Launched Since - Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending - Current
Body Style - 7-seat SUV
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey, Red
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT
Model Year - MY26
Production Status - published
Segment - SUV
Vehicle Type - SUV
Gross Combined Mass Kg - 5900 kg
Tare Mass Kg - 2080 kg
Spec Chery Q MU-X
Drivetrain Layout - 4WD / AWD
LSD Available - Not Applicable
Transfer Case - Confirmed 4WD derivative
Differential Lock - Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters - Standard
Gearbox - Automatic
Final Drive Ratio - Not Applicable
Number of Gears - 4
Transmission Type - 6 Speed Automatic
Clutch Type - Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator - Not Applicable
Drivetrain - 4WD / AWD
4WD Engagement - Available
4WD Hi Range - Available
4WD Lo Range - Available where 4WD low range is fitted
4WD Selector - Standard
Automatic Shift Paddles - Standard
Drive Mode Selector - 4WD/off-road drive mode support
Front Differential Lock - Not Applicable
Gear Knob Trim - Leather / Piano Black
Gear Ratio 1st - 3.600
Gear Ratio 2nd - 2.090
Gear Ratio 3rd - 1.488
Gear Ratio 4th - 1.000
Gear Ratio 5th - 0.687
Gear Ratio 6th - 0.580
Gear Ratio Reverse - 3.732
Gearbox Type - Automatic
Low Range Ratio - Not Applicable
Low Range - Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Axle Layout - 4WD / AWD
Rear Differential Lock - Standard
Transfer Case Guard - Standard
Transmission Speeds - 4
Gear Shift Type - Automatic

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

MU-X leads by 31 points

MU-X dominates this comparison with clear advantages across multiple categories.

Winner 70 /100
Lead 31 points
Data 79% confidence
70
#1 Winner

MU-X

79% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Ownership 44
Performance 62
Efficiency 52
Safety 94
Practicality 88
Ownership 44
Leads by 31 points
39
#2

Chery Q

11% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Performance 50 Check Safety 0
Performance 50
Efficiency 50
Safety 0
Practicality 50
Ownership 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance MU-X +12 Efficiency MU-X +2 Safety MU-X +94 Practicality MU-X +38 Ownership Chery Q +6

High confidence result.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

MU-X

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 88/100
Ownership 44/100

Chery Q

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 50/100
Ownership 50/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Isuzu MU-X wins with 70 pts vs 39 pts for Chery Q

In structured scoring, MU-X emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Chery Q may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the MU-X edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Chery Q 50 vs MU-X 52. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Chery Q 0, MU-X 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Chery Q 50, MU-X 44. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Chery Q 50, MU-X 88. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Chery Q 50, MU-X 62. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The MU-X edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The MU-X scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Chery Q and MU-X in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Chery Q scores 50 vs 62.

Efficiency: Chery Q scores 50 vs 52.

Safety: Chery Q scores 0 vs 94.

Practicality: Chery Q scores 50 vs 88.

Ownership: Chery Q scores 50 vs 44.

Final structured scoring gives MU-X the advantage in this comparison.