2001IsuzuRodeoIsuzu Rodeo2001 Isuzu Rodeo S 4WDSport UtilityWagon4WDLafayette, INAn Anniversary Edition trim package that includes two-tone paint, leather seating, and special chrome wheels is the only addition to 2001 Rodeos.Stylish exterior, powerful V6 engine, roomy rear seats, great warranty.Cheap interior pieces, bouncy off-road manners, uncomfortable front seats, questionable build quality.There's not a more hotly contested segment in the automotive world than the midsize SUV arena. Just about every major auto manufacturer either has, or is planning on, a four-door, five-passenger sport-ute. For years, the ubiquitous Ford Explorer has dominated this class of family haulers, but its high price and staid design, not to mention well-publicized tire problems, has opened the door for cheaper and sportier competition. The Rodeo is Isuzu's take on what a midsize SUV should be, offering streamlined styling, a killer warranty, and a healthy V6 that appeals to those looking for something cheaper and more aesthetically appealing than Ford's boxy sales leader. Three trim levels are available: S, LS and LSE. The basic Rodeo has two-wheel drive and a weak 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Do yourself a favor and step up to the S V6 that adds a 205-horsepower, 3.2-liter unit that really moves the Rodeo with authority. LS models add four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, along with a limited-slip differential and underbody skid plates. If you're looking for more luxury, top-of-the-line LSEs add an in-dash six-disc CD changer, leather seating and a power moonroof. Overall, the Rodeo's interior provides decent ergonomics, but the cupholders and plastic trim/switchgear look and feel somewhat cheap. 2001 marks the 85th anniversary of Isuzu and to celebrate they are offering a limited-edition Anniversary package on LS models that includes an exclusive two-tone color scheme, 16-inch chrome finish alloy wheels, and chrome side steps for the exterior. Inside, Anniversary Edition Rodeos get a beige leather interior, power seats, wood grain trim, and an upgraded stereo system. Buyers who prefer sportiness to luxury can equip their LS Rodeos with the Ironman package that adds tubular side steps, alloy wheels and Intelligent Suspension Control that automatically adjusts to one of 17 shock rebound and compression rates depending on road conditions. The Rodeo rides smooth on the highway, but we're a little disappointed with its skittish off-road behavior. Over uneven dirt trails, the Rodeo feels somewhat undersprung, bouncing and wallowing through ruts that other SUVs, like the Nissan Xterra, handle with ease. Japanese reliability is generally above average, but just in case, Isuzu provides a transferable 10-year/120,000-mile powertrain warranty for all of its SUVs, making it the longest one of its kind offered by any automaker in the United States. The Rodeo provides clean looks, a gutsy engine, and confidence-inspiring road manners. If you can live with the budget interior pieces and don't venture off-road much, the Rodeo is worth a look. Otherwise, make sure you check out the wide range of competitors in this price range before settling on the Isuzu. Chevrolet BlazerMazda TributeMitsubishi Montero SportNissan Xterra350,00010120,000560,0006100,000NANANA63.2 litersV6205 hp @ 5400 rpm214 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm81 cu.ft.1076 lbs.4500 lbs.177.5 in.70.4 in.66.5 in.4124 lbs.106.4 in.38.4 ft.8.2 in.38.9 in.38.3 in.NANANANA42.1 in.35 in.5StandardStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = GoodRating = GoodVery GoodVery GoodPoorPoor21.1 gal.17 mpg / 20 mpg16 mpg / 20 mpg359 mi. / 422 mi.338 mi. / 422 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$21,764$23,3057.35%$520N/A3% of the Total MSRPS 2.2L 2WD (5M): 2.2L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 600 amp battery; 100 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 4.77 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, gas-pressurized front shocks, rigid rear axle multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power rack-and-pinion steering with engine-speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum antilock brakes; 21.1 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, skid plates, side impact bars; conventional rear cargo door; trailer harness; front and rear black bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver styled steel wheels; P225/75SR16 BSW M&S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio,seek-scan, cassette player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; child-safety rear door locks; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; fixed-interval front windshield wipers, flip-up rear window, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; rear 60/40 split-bench folding/reclining seat with adjustable headrests; front and rear height-adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, frontand rear cupholders, 1 seatback storage pocket, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
S 3.2L V6 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of S 2.2L 2WD (5M) equipment): 3.2L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 90 amp alternator; 4.33 axle ratio; P245/70SR16 BSW M&S tires; cruise control; steering wheel with tilt adjustment.
LS 3.2L V6 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of S 3.2L V6 2WD (5M) equipment): Roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks; driver's and passenger's power remote black heated folding outside mirrors; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; CD changer pre-wiring, 6 speakers; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry; 3 power accessory outlets; panic alarm; power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, fixed interval rear wiper; full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include door curb lights, illuminated entry; 2 seatback storage pockets and cargo net.
LSE 3.2L V6 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of LS 3.2L V6 4WD (5M) equipment): Driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; front express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; body-colored bodyside molding; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 6-disc CD changer; leather seats, leather door trim insert, simulated wood dashboard insert, simulated wood door panel insert; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment and body-colored door handles.
4WD (in addition to or instead of S 3.2L V6 2WD (5M) equipment): Part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, 4.33 axle ratio; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes.