A slightly restyled version of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy (and assembled by the same GM plant), the Ascender fills the void left by Isuzu's own Trooper. Ascender comes equipped with either a 4.2-liter inline six rated at 275 hp or a 5.3-liter V-8 making 290 hp. All models get a four-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional. Ascender can tow up to 7200 pounds, and three-row, seven-passenger seating is standard. It's also competitively priced, at less than $30,000.
Axiom
Isuzu's sleek, raked-back Axiom SUV just hasn't sold as well as Isuzu would have hoped. All the basics are there, with a responsive 230-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a four-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel drive or Isuzu's Torque On Demand four-wheel-drive system. Both inside and outside, the Axiom makes a strong design statement, and it's pretty well equipped well, too. A moon roof and an upgrade package are available on the base 'S' model, but they're among the only options. Starting at just under $25,000, an Axiom that's not loaded down with options is a steal.
Rodeo
The long-unchanged four-door Rodeo SUV comes equipped with either a 130-hp, 2.2-liter in-line four or a 205-hp, 3.2-liter V-6. The five-speed manual and four-speed automatic are available on both engines, but part-time four-wheel drive - good for mild off-roading but not of much use on a slippery road - is only available on the V-6 model. The Rodeo comes with a very competitive base price, but much of the popular equipment is optional, adding thousands to the price tag.
Rodeo Sport
Rodeo Sport started out years ago named the Amigo. A 130-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, while a 205-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 is optional, with a part-time (manually engaging) four-wheel drive option only available on the V-6. Either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission is offered on the four-cylinder, while the automatic is hooked up to all V-6s. The base four-cylinder five-speed comes as a sporty-looking soft top; for those looking for a tough open-air vehicle, its closest - and only - rival is Jeep's Wrangler.
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