Looks, off-road performance, comfort, reliability.

Engine could use more HP, cooling system, lifter tick noise, and the gas mileage is pretty awful, but I expected that when I bought it.

I bought this truck because I have always liked the looks of the 1st generation Rodeo/Passport. The newer ones are too rounded for my tastes. I also like the fact that it is built like a truck with body on frame construction, rear wheel drive, and a low range in the transfer case for 4WD. Mine was bought used, but it is loaded with every option available, so it is very comfortable. Many of the newer "cute-utes" are nothing more than jacked up midsize cars. The Zuzu is very good off road, although the stock tires 245/70/16 were too small, so I put some 245/75/16 Bridgestone Duler A/T's on and they really enhanced the looks and performance of the truck. The engine is adequate, although because the vehicle weighs 4,300 pounds, I sometimes find myself wishing for a V8. My friends with Jeeps and 4Runners blow me away every time. One weird thing is that some days the truck is faster than it is on other days. I can't figure why. Also the engine is very loud because of the lifter tick problem that most Isuzus of this era seem to have. My last gripe is the cooling system, which seems not to work quite right. I have had one pipe burst, spilling fluid all over the ground and the radiator blew one time. Overall though, I really like this vehicle.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee- reliability issues, too small interior, Chevy Blazer- poor reliability, mediocre off road, Ford Explorer- poor handling, mediocre off road, no low range with V8

Good Styling, powerful engine, GOOD Ride (rides like car not a truck), comfortable, good passenger room

rattles a little (mostly off road), shocks are a little soft, interior plastic seams to scratch easily, after market parts just becoming readily available.

Back in 98 this was the best SUV for the dollar amount: 4-way disk anti-lock brakes, 205 HP engine, and good passenger room for less than most other SUVs. I really like the ride, my wife and I have taken it on several long road trips (one from AZ to NJ and back). I like it becuase it rides more like a car, not stiff a ridged like a truck (Explorer). I have a 4x4 and off-road perfomance is good except ground clearence stinks. After market parts were hard to find, but are now becoming available.
Great support at http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/isuzu/ by many happy Isuzu owners.
My wife and I plan on buying a Isuzu Trooper when we have kids becuase we are please with our Rodeo!

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First SUV, owned Beretta GT and Grand Am prior to Rodeo.

Super tough build quality. One of the last SUV's that you can take into some serious rough stuff, and bring it back in one piece (close to 100 ISUZU's in MOAB this year). You can easily modify this vehicle to tackle really rough terrain if you wish, and will easily hang with or surpass ANY vehicle in its class bone stock. Isuzu builds a very stout vehicle and uses higher quality metals and components than most of the other vehicles in this class, i.e. Isuzu uses the world famous Dana 44 to hook up the ample 205 HP V6. Limited slip diff avail. Push button 4wd that STILL has a 4 LOW. Coil spring rear. This is my 2nd Rodeo, I had a '96, and I have had no major problems with either.

Poor shocks, squishy springs and somewhat low ride height. Swap out the springs and shocks to give some lift and you have just wiped out the weaknesses.

I have owned 2 Isuzu's in the last few years. They are awesome vehicles, and best of all they have been trouble free. Even if you live in the sunny south, like me, do yourself a favor and get 4wd. Isuzu will let you GO FARTHER and have a good time doing it.

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Jeep Cherokee 4x4. More room. More power. Isuzu didn't need 18 years to get it write, so it stays out of the shop. Actually better off road.

Gas mileage ~ Handling on and off road ~ Useable room ~ Reliability ~ Cost

A bit down on power compared to some ~ Suspension a little too soft for serious 4x4ing ~ Harder to find some after market accessories than most

I work for the CDF and we have a number of different 4x4's from Fire Engines to PU's to Cherokee's. I've driven them all in places they probably never should have been. The Cherokee's we have go just about anywhere but fall apart. Especially the interior and things like electric windows so I didn't want one of those.

I don't have any particular preference as far as name brand. I'll drive ANYTHING as long as it's reliable, useful, looks fairly good and is the best value for my money. I research and shop extensively before I get a vehicle.

I love my Rodeo. I love to drive it on or off road. It handles like a sports car, rides nice (a little too soft for serious off road) has over 150,000 miles on it, uses NO oil and is very reliable. I get nearly 20mph (better than I'd hoped) and it has tons of USABLE room. I would like just a bit more power than the the 3.2lt SOHC 175hp. But I've heard aftermarket exhaust and air intake will give me 15~20 more hp. I wouldn't want to trade the Cherokee's MPG for the extra HP they have.

Overall...Thrilled with this vehicle. There is no way to beat the value to cost ratio of this rock solid Rodeo. The only other drawback I've found is the relatively meager after market selection. But things have changed drastically in just the last 6 months and there are quite a few good accessories out and more on the way. I think Isuzu is over the hump on retail recognition.

Buy one! You'll be satisfied!

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Overall much better than any of the Cherokee's I've driven ~ Handles much better and more usable (for the most part) over a PU configuration ~ Haven't driven any other makes enough to give an opinion.

The 3.2L 205HP is a good strong engine. When I push the "Power" button (a switch that delays the transmission shifting) to pass, this truck gets up and goes!

couldnt pass up the great financing

As stated before, lots of room.

The stock suspension (for my taste) "was" to soft. If you like the spongy ride of a car this would be for you.

Other than that, the truck has been great.

I love driving this truck, it has beautiful styling, more than enough power and plenty of room with and without the seats folded down.

I've had this truck loaded with stuff that I transfered to a Ranger pick up truck and had trouble getting it all in.

I'm biased, I love the Isuzu brand. This Rodeo is my 3rd Isuzu.

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cheroke, was an older vehicle. Unfair comparison

Decent SUV qualities; Good look, especially with cattle guard; Clean interior; decent ride.

Miles per gallon (usually around 10 MPG in City; 15 MPG HGWY); Terrible problem with bolts/studs on front tires -- either the threads get screwed or the bolt breaks off -- had to spend an extra couple hundred (not to mention hours of time) on this single problem.

Overall, the vehicle is decent. I would hesitate to recommend to someone completely. Be careful to get the SUV tuned regularly.

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Chev Sub -- smaller (obviously), but seems to run better; Benz M Class SUV -- comparable, although eminities on Benz are better.

Lots of cargo space. Solid 4wd system. Looks awesome, nice looking inside, easily modified (if you know what you are doing). Body on frame construction, overall rugged and reliable.

bad gas mialge. lack of aftermarket support (although over the last 3 years things have really begun to change.)

I love this truck! It has been great for me, couldn't imagine owning anything else. If you are not looking for the unreliablity of a jeep, and are looking for a large but still econimical 4wd, the rodeo is a great choice, although not for everyone. Jeeps have a lot of aftermarket support, and can be very nice. However, the rodeo, in my openion, is a better buy becasue the mpg is better, it is larger than a liberty, it is very offroad capeable, and comes standard with a better rear axle (and a billion other reasons).Overall i would recomend this truck to someone who is looking to get off the mainstreem but still get a great truck that preforms well on and off the road.

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Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Chevy s-10, toyota land cruser and 4 runner.

The only this thing gots going for it is longevity. I have over 115,000 miles on this car for christs sake! I had 103,000 when I first got it. I purposly beat the h*ll outta this car so I can pursuede my mom to get me a new car, but somehow this beast won't quit. When I say beat the hell out of it, I mean it. I go over curbs at 45 miles per hour, run through large puddles at 65 mph, and redline at each shift sometimes even going into the redline. I even rear ended someone and my rodeo didn't have a scratch on it (I hit the guy at about 50 mph). This car must be cursed or something! WHY WON'T YOU JUST BLOW UP!!! :)

OMG, This is gonna be fun. I'll start with the engine. My mileage is quite high, so I think this only applies to high mileage rodeos, but the engine makes clicking noises until it goes over 6500 rpms, when you go below 6500 the next time you shift, the clicking comes back. Whenever I start my rodeo, the A/C makes a loud squealing noise until I hit about 4500 rpms. As for the rest of the car, my power windows all failed on me after the first week I bought the thing. What kind of quality is this supposed to be? The repair on my windows (All four) cost over 400 dollars! Wherever there is something attached to the body, rust is forming, ex. roof rack, tire rack, windshield wipers, etc. This only applies to the people who ever think of buying anything from the dealer I bought my car from, NEVER buy a car from them, new or used, their after customer service is horrible!

I would have to say this car is a POS on wheels. It is like an orchestra of rattles and bangs from the body of the car. I don't even wanna start with the noise from the engine. My god, it sounds like someone is sitting inside my hood clicking a pen 1000 times a second.

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I can't really compare my rodeo to these cars, but what the hell.
1. 1998 3000GT SL- It gots looks and speed. Gets me lots of looks where ever I go.
2. 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28- LOTS of torque and power. I hardly get looks in this car since it's so common, but it is a h*ll of a time joyriding in this thing!
Both of these cars belong to other family members.

LOOKS

RIDE QUALITY, SERIOUS VIBRATIONS SPEEDS OVER 45-50MPH VERY SERIOUS & EXCESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS TRUCK IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!!! I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALER OVER 15X'S FOR VIBRATIONS IN STEERING WHEEL & FRONT SEAT AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. THEY TELL ME "NO PROBLEM FOUND", I FINALLY GOT ISUZU AREA REP. TO COME LOOK AT IT, THEY REPLACED 2 WHEELS, THEN UPGRADED TO ALLOY WHEELS, EVEN DID THE 2 NEW "BULLETINS" PERTAING TO THESE PROBLEMS, DID NOT FIX IT! EVEN BEFORE THIS I WENT OUT & PUT THE MICHALEN CROSS TRAIN THE BEST SUV TIRE ON THE MARKET, ($600 BUCKS) IT STILL RIDES LIKE A GO-CART. WHAT GOOD IS A TRUCK THAT LOOKS GOOD, BUT RIDES LIKE GARBAGE!?!? ALSO FORGOT TO MENTION THE BIG RUST SPOT IN THE BACK, 11 MONTHS OLD!!! THIS WOULD NOT EVEN BE A GOOD DEAL IF IT WERE FREE, LET ALONE THAT I ACTUALLY PAID MONEY FOR IT! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE THIS VEHICLE YOU WILL BE SORRY! OF COARSE UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR LIFE AT THE DEALER PAYING FOR YOUR OWN RENTAL, WHILE PAYING YOUR "NEW" TRUCK PAYMENT.

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TOYOTA 4RUNNER- IT DOES NOT EVEN COME ANYWHERE NEAR TO IT

looks great!

shoulda got the 6 cyl. model. aw well . . .

Damn am I the only person in the world that doesn't have the 6 cyl. option? Skipped on it to bring the price down, but the 4's ok I guess. I bought this thing more as a mini-van alternative than to haul crap around and tear up lawns. it hauls my 2 kids around ok. shoot i got this thing for cheap (16K) so I can't complain too much. my first truck anyways, so what do I know.

the automatic does a great job of guessing when to shift. the "power" button helps out a lot. handles great--feels real solid on the highway. interior is well thought out and good quality. best looking mid-sized suv out there.

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stomper 4x4