In fact the nameplate was so iconic that Chevy spun it off into several different sizes, with the compact S-10 Blazer (also known as, among many other things, the GMC Jimmy) expanding to the K5 Blazer (later rebadged as the Tahoe), and in between, the mid-size Trailblazer. The last of them died off a few years ago, but got a stay of execution in developing markets overseas. And that's essentially what we're looking at here.
Based on the Isuzu D-Max (itself a clone of the overseas-market Chevy Colorado), the new Isuzu MU-X is basically a rebadged version of the second-generation Chevy Trailblazer produced in such far-flung locations as Thailand and Brazil. Set to debut in Isuzu guise at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show later this month, the MU-X is powered by a 3.0-liter common-rail turbodiesel four with 130 kW and 380 Nm of torque (174 horsepower and 280 pound-feet), driving either the front wheels or all four through five speeds in either manual or automatic configurations.
With Terrain Control and hill ascent/descent systems, the MU-X will tow 3 metric tons (3.3 US) and carry seven passengers in the type of truck-based SUV package that's steadily being replaced by car-based crossovers in the US market. Whether there's any room for an old-fashioned ladder-frame sport-ute like this on these shores seems to be in increasing doubt, but apparently Isuzu thinks it's still got potential overseas.
