Isuzu Oasis behaves more like a refined sedan than a minivan
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Check out the list of handling and comfort components installed on Isuzu's newest label, Oasis, and you'll discover the caliber of equipment necessary to create a well-heeled passenger sedan.
Oasis carries rack and pinion steering, a big disc brake applied to each wheel, plus suspension rigging that's fully independent in front and rear.
Add four hinged doors for riders and comfy seats, an engine with zippy torque plus 4-speed automatic shifter, and you're rolling in sedan comfort.
Yet here's the variance: Oasis isn't a maneuverable sedan at all.
It's a minivan.
Making a van more like a car has always been the big idea behind the minivan, of course, but until this design appeared no manufacturer dared to exorcize the minivan's sliding door, a bulky concept borrowed from cattle cars, and replace it with two hinged sedan-like people doors.
Oasis, Isuzu's new minivan that rides on a platform borrowed from Honda's compact sedan, takes the minivan idea to a new level by making it as friendly to rear seat riders as a conventional sedan.
Behind the two front hinged doors Isuzu installs two more, the type you'd expect to see attached to a sedan.
The design also lowers the floor of Oasis so you can easily step inside -- much like you would slip into a family car -- rather than having to hoist your body aboard as the typical minivan requires. The entire package is lower than expected, measuring only 64 inches from ground to roof.
Isuzu designed the new Oasis differently because research indicated a market exists which desires a minivan with walk-through convenience so those who ride in the rear can more easily take their seats.
To reach a second-tier seat, simply open the door, hop aboard and buckle up.
You can access those secondary seats from either side, without bending, crawling or scooting.
Reaching the third tier's 2-person bench does require more effort, but not so to fold it flat because this thing performs effortless flip tricks.
Stand at the rear of the vehicle, reach through the back gate and remove both head restraints (store them in the handy side pockets), then turn a rotary knob on the back of the seatback and fold it forward.
Next, twist a second knob on the cushion's spine to unlock the bench. It flips with only a slight touch, disappearing into a floor well with one smooth move.
Two variations in Oasis's second-row seating create options for hauling people and cargo.
In base Oasis S, the second-tier bench splits in half. Seatbacks recline for comfort, or sections fold forward against the back of the front seat to carve out cargo space. Fold seatbacks flat and this middle bench links with the rear bench to create a cozy bed.
In the deluxe Oasis LS, a pair of second-tier captain-style chairs with reclining seatbacks tilt forward on front anchors to make quick room for cargo. Also, they can be removed by the flip of a latch -- each weighs only 38 pounds, half as much as most minivan buckets.
Up front, Isuzu provides two individual captain-style bucket seats in a cockpit stocked with dual airbags and the kind of comfort and convenience items you would expect in a luxury sedan.
Actually, every aspect of the interior orients toward comfort -- from power windows and door locks along with other power-assisted controls such as cruise control to assets like front and rear air conditioning, upper and lower glove boxes, dual vanity mirrors, remote fuel door release, quartz digital clock and rear window defroster with timer.
The floor of this minivan slopes upward from front to rear, much like a theater's floor. Second and third rows of seats rise higher than the first so riders may see beyond those in front.
Visibility from inside Oasis seems superior.
Tall windows and thin roof pillars create a virtually uninterrupted field of vision for the driver.
Isuzu's new minivan flows from an Indiana assembly plant which also turns out a minivan for Honda.
The design, centered on sedan-height chassis and user-friendly interior features, reflects the fact that Isuzu took its time before entering the minivan market. As a result, it could capitalize on favored traits of competitors but also develop creative new concepts driven from research of the minivan market.
As to comfort and convenience, for example, Oasis stocks those rear hinged car-like doors and brings the flexible seating arrangement to a minivan concept.
For mechanical hardware, Oasis carries some of the best performance perks of Honda's sedan, but adapts elements to fit the minivan's format.
Its suspension, derived from a lively double wishbone layout, makes this the only minivan platform rigged with fully independent 4-wheel setup.
Power speed-sensing rack and pinion steering and a brake assembly with 4-wheel anti-lock brakes also appear on the two Oasis models.
Regarding power, Isuzu borrowed but modified a Honda 4-in-line engine with aluminum alloy block and cylinder heads. Equipped with single overhead cam, electronic ignition and programmed multi-point fuel injection, the unit musters 140 horsepower.
Oasis's engine links to 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic that's smooth and quiet.
The transaxle contains an intelligent shift controller which can select between third and fourth gear settings after first measuring variables like throttle position, road speed and rates of acceleration and deceleration when traversing inclines and descents.
My tests, including a week's worth of everyday usage in cushy Oasis LS, revealed that Isuzu's minivan is as easy to move, steer and park as a conventional sedan.
The two Oasis trim levels list for base retail figures which extend from $23,000 to $27,000.
1996 ISUZU OASIS
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| 1996 ISUZU OASIS VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact minivan |
| Model Options: |
Compact minivan |
| Wheelbase: |
111.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
187.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.2-L I-4
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
20/24 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 23,000 to $ 27,000 |
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