How much you need to earn to afford the new Isuzu mu-X in South Africa

South African SUV buyers looking to get their hands on Isuzu’s R150,000 cheaper 4×4 mu-X will need to earn R85,000 to afford it on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

The Japanese automaker added to its line-up and powertrain changes made in May by adding the all-wheel-drive mu-X LS, priced at R789,700, which is nearly R40,000 more than its 1.9-litre LS sibling.

While true, it is also a whopping R149,800 cheaper than the 3.0-litre mu-X LS 4WD, which is the Japanese badge’s previous cheapest 4×4 SUV.

The all-wheel-drive mu-X LS features the same refined 1.9-litre turbodiesel motor producing 110kW and 350Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, as the entry-level model, but with added off-road capability.

This configuration sends power to all four driven wheels when needed, and achieves a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.5l/100km.

The adventure SUV has the same 235mm ground clearance and 800mm wading depth as its siblings, while the 4×4 can also tow up to 2,100kg.

With its exterior styling unchanged since getting a facelift in May, the new all-wheel-drive mu-X also features a seven-seat cabin with partial leather trim.

The cabin is fitted with a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, while the second and third rows feature multiple seating configurations.

As a high-spec, modern family SUV, the new model is well-equipped, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity for all occupants, as well as front and rear USB charging ports.

It is also equipped with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features, including an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist and seven airbags.

What you need to earn

South African families in the market for Isuzu’s new adventure SUV can use the following formula to calculate whether the vehicle would fit their budget:

• Car price – R789,700
• Payment term – 60 months (5 years)
• Interest – 10.50%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to this formula, potential buyers will need to pay at least R16,974 per month towards a vehicle loan for the Isuzu mu-X 1.9TD LS 4WD.

Financial experts recommend that buyers avoid spending more than 20% of their gross salary on monthly vehicle repayments.

As a result, if you are in the market for the SUV and choose to follow this advice, you will need to earn at least R84,900 per month to afford repayments on the model.

Buyers looking to purchase the Japanese SUV need to realise these repayments do not include additional vehicle ownership costs that need to be considered when calculating affordability.

These include, among others, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which could easily add a few thousand rand per month to your vehicle ownership costs.