SEARCHING for real off-road capabilities and seven seats? Then look no further than the 2015 Isuzu mu-X Sport Utility Vehicle fresh off the showroom floors of local dealers Isuzu Vehicles and Supplies.

In a world where other automakers are simply converting their cars into SUVs feigning off-road ability, Isuzu finds itself in a unique position. As they are no longer in the car business, there the D-Max pick-up finds itself as the base for mu-X. Turning a commercial vehicle into an SUV may not sound like a good idea. Fortunately the D-Max is a more than competent vehicle in its own right. Isuzu has managed to tweak the formula, adding what SUV owners expect and more, while keeping the positives of the D-Max.

That starts with the look. The mu-X is a good looker, retaining the aggressive ‘raptor’ design from the D-Max, but then flowing into softer yet muscular lines that stop the vehicle from looking as if the rear section was a design afterthought.

Like the exterior, nothing feels tacked on or out of place inside. Sliding into the driver’s seat puts one behind the controls of a modern SUV blessed with space, comfort and all the toys one would expect. Steering wheel-mounted controls offer access to the six-speaker stereo system that can handle all the major electronic devices via Bluetooth, USB and aux-in inputs.

Most people would be satisfied with the space the mu-X has, but now we come to its main party trick, third row seating. Clever design means the 60/40 split folding rear seats can be folded completely flat for maximum cargo space with the flick of a lever. If your extra cargo is human, then a third row of comfortable seats, can be flipped out from the trunk floor. Air-conditioning vents, cup holders, and the wrap-around rear exterior glass means the third row is pleasant for most passengers of average height and not some dark dungeon to be banished to — something unheard of in this price range $6.5 million or vehicle class.

On or off the road the mu-X is more than adequate. Its 2.5-litre diesel is a proven unit delivering more than enough pace and refinement with the willing five-speed automatic transmission. Like the D-Max it can be had in either 4WD or 2WD, but the ride is far from commercial grade. The mu-X is firm, but never unpleasant, as it can cope with rough Jamaican roads largely due to the chassis it uses — the rear suspension. Instead of a pick-up style leaf set-up, the mu-X boasts a five-link coil-sprung rear.