Isuzu Rodeo sport-utility in base edition rates as a bargain
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Mode of transportation for many today has become an increasingly popular chameleon-on-wheels known by the initials of SUV, which means sport-utility vehicle. Buyers snapped up almost two million of them last year, and most manufacturers now have at least one SUV wagon in the stable.
Isuzu, a Japanese automaker with domestic joint-venture assembly plant in Indiana, builds two SUVs -- luxury-lined mid-size Trooper and a compact wagon called Rodeo.
Trooper, with deluxe interior features and rugged off-road hardware, represents the top of Isuzu's line, while Rodeo in base format carries something rare among SUVs -- an affordable price tag.
Rodeo comes with a rounded, aerodynamic shell in the shape of a slickly styled 4-door wagon.
It seats up to five adults and has room left over to stow their gear.
Then this SUV adds anti-lock brakes and a choice of two powerplants, along with two traction modes with engine torque transferred to either rear wheels or all four.
Rodeo's wheelbase measures the same as Trooper's because they share a chassis, but Rodeo's height dips six inches below Trooper's, and it's two inches narrower.
Rodeo looks like it could slip through thin air with effortless ease, and the lower stance makes it seem like it hunkers down and sticks firmly to pavement or rough ground.
Yet what makes Rodeo stand apart from competitors -- including, you might argue, Trooper -- is that price tag.
With base figure of only $17,340, Rodeo ranks as one of the least expensive sport-utility wagons among compacts.
Variations rigged with 4x4 traction and 6-cylinder power lessen the bargain appeal of Rodeo, but the larger engine boosts output to an impressive 190 horsepower.
Drive Rodeo and you will discover there's value here in a well-developed machine.
The price leader is called Rodeo S, and it only provides a manual 5-speed stick and 4-cylinder engine, which produces 120 hp.
There's a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 traction for Rodeo S. The 4-wheeler packs the larger engine and becomes more pricy, although comparison shoppers will find this edition remains competitive.
With the V6, you may also choose between manual 5-speed and electronic automatic 4-speed transmissions.
Top Rodeo LS also gets the V6 with 4-wheel-drive, but then adds luxury gear.
With more equipment aboard, the LS edition with automatic shifter tops out at $28,410.
The Rodeo recently tested amounted to the price-leading bargain model, Rodeo S in 4x2 format with the twin-cam four and manual shifter.
Its lowered stance made this version easy to climb aboard, where the layout includes twin front bucket seats in front of a rear bench wide enough to hold three riders.
Without riders, the rear seatback folds flat to enlarge Rodeo's storage bay to 75 cubic feet.
Still, the tester Rodeo S did not contain perks provided on Rodeo LS -- like air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated outside mirrors -- and I also missed having a tachometer which comes only with the V6 engine upgrade.
On the road, Rodeo's smaller engine seemed adequate when coupled to the manual transmission.
A ring of glass panes brings excellent visibility, and all instruments and dials stand in close proximity to eyes and fingers for ergonomic control.
It also handles well, due to a clever mechanical plan.
With frame-on-body construction, Rodeo rides on a chassis defined by box-section rails braced with multiple cross members. The unitized body attaches to frame at 12 points, creating a platform much more stiff and rigid than conventional truck and sport-utility foundations.
Then suspension and drive components mount directly to Rodeo's stiff frame. This allows it to absorb severe suspension shocks -- such as boulders and potholes and tree limbs -- which invariably appear when traversing a punishing off-road course.
Equipped with front independent suspension and a rear live axle, Rodeo's setup also delivers smooth-riding sensations when driving on a pavement course.
Steering, using a recirculating ball mechanism, has a variable-assist power boost.
The power brakes, with front discs and rear drums for the 4-cylinder engine and 4-wheel discs with the V6, tie to an anti-lock system to help corral Rodeo without locking up the wheels.
An optional part-time 4-wheel-drive system has a gear-driven 2-speed transfer case and auto-locking front hubs.
Switching from rear-wheel to 4-wheel propulsion may be accomplished while rolling down the road. The high range of Rodeo's 4-wheel-drive system permits driving on pavement in a conventional manner, and the low gear is used strictly for low-speed slugging through sand, mud or slush on an off-pavement course.
Base Rodeo S carries standard convenience features, such as dual outside mirrors, tinted glass, a rear window defroster, child-proof rear door locks and lockable glove compartment, plus 4-speaker stereo sound with AM-FM radio and cassette tape deck.
Cargo rope hooks, a skid plate set beneath the 21.9-gallon fuel tank and full-size spare tire score as additional base features.
All seats wear cloth upholstery, with front buckets adding a folding armrest and center storage console.
Upgrading to Rodeo S-V6 brings more conveniences like intermittent wipers and finer moquette seat upholstery, a choice of manual or automatic transmission, the 4-wheel disc brakes plus floor mats and an external spare-tire carrier.
Ultimate Rodeo LS gets all of the power gear and a 6-speaker audio package, front door map pockets, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power hatch door release, as well as a roof rack, cargo net and mud guards.
1997 ISUZU RODEO
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| 1997 ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 5-door SUV wagon |
| Model Options: |
Compact 5-door SUV wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
108.7 inches |
| Overall Length: |
176.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.6-L I4
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5
V6: Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear, 4WD |
| Braking: |
I4 Power disc/drum/rear ABS
V6: Power 4-disc/4-wheel ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4: 19/22 mpg
V6: 16/19 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 17,340 to $ 30,000 |
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