Isuzu MU-X vs Hyundai Palisade

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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Hyundai Palisade Discontinued model
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
VS
Hyundai Palisade in South Africa

Hyundai Palisade

2.2D Elite AWD 8AT 7-Seater Diesel Discontinued model
ZAR 1,204,500 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 142 kW 🔧 440 Nm ⛽ 8.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Isuzu MU-X vs Hyundai Palisade: the short answer

MU-X and Palisade are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Recorded price context MU-X: current from ZAR 752,400 · Palisade: last listed from ZAR 1,204,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification MU-X Palisade
Maximum Power MU-X110 kW @ 3600 rpm Palisade142 kW
Maximum Torque MU-X350 Nm Palisade440 Nm
Engine Size MU-X3000 cc Palisade2199 cc
Combined Fuel Economy MU-X13.2 km/l Palisade8.2 km/l
Ground Clearance MU-X235 mm Palisade203 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Evidence for Hyundai Palisade 2.2D Elite AWD 8AT 7-Seater

Source type: South Africa

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

MU-X

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Palisade

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

MU-X

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Palisade

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec MU-X Palisade
Model Introduced Year 2013 Not confirmed
Generation Current generation MU-X built on Isuzu D-Max platform Not confirmed
Facelift History Latest updates improved styling and safety tech Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not confirmed
Facelift Version Ending Current Not confirmed
Body Style 7-seat SUV Seven-seat SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Red Not confirmed
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Not confirmed
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi LSE 4x4 AT Not confirmed
Gross Combined Mass Kg 5900 kg Not confirmed
Model Year MY26 2026
Production Status published Not confirmed
Segment SUV Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg 2080 kg 1952 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Not confirmed
Spec MU-X Palisade
Length 4850 mm Not confirmed
Width 1870 mm Not confirmed
Height 1825 mm Not confirmed
Wheelbase 2855 mm Not confirmed
Ground Clearance (Default) 235 mm 203 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 71 l
Kerb Weight 2080 kg 1952 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2800 kg Not confirmed
Payload Capacity 659 kg Not confirmed
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 2200 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 7 seats
Doors 5 doors Not confirmed
Minimum Turning Radius 11.4 m Not confirmed

In depth: how these cars differ

This MU-X and Palisade comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: MU-X 62 vs Palisade 74.

Efficiency index: MU-X 52 vs Palisade 40.

Safety-equipment index: MU-X 93 vs Palisade 90.

Practicality index: MU-X 88 vs Palisade 79.

Ownership-cover index: MU-X not separately scored vs Palisade not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

MU-X leads by 2 points

MU-X and Palisade are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 62% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

MU-X

62% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 52
Performance 62
Efficiency 52
Safety 93
Practicality 88
Leads by 2 points
73
#2

Palisade

51% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 90 Check Efficiency 40
Performance 74
Efficiency 40
Safety 90
Practicality 79
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Palisade +12 Efficiency MU-X +12 Safety MU-X +3 Practicality MU-X +9

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

MU-X

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 88/100

Palisade

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 40/100
Safety 90/100
Practicality 79/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu MU-X leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 73 pts for Palisade

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, MU-X leads. However, Palisade may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

MU-X vs Palisade questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.