Buick Opel and Chevrolet LUV became the first Isuzu-built vehicles to be sold in America. A decade later, Isuzu would open its first American showrooms under the name American Isuzu Motors, Inc, and would spend a year introducing the brand and building a dealer network.

The 1990’s saw Isuzu come into it’s own here in the US, selling its one millionth unit, and becoming the only import manufacturer to offer vehicles in all three classes of SUV: mini, compact, and full. Today, Isuzu has a contract with Budget Truck Rental to manufacture their rental trucks, shared with Ford, GMC, and Navistar International, and offers individual consumers their choice of a 5- or 7-passenger Ascender SUV, or the i-370 or i-290 pickup trucks, available at one of their 300 dealers nationwide.

In the 1970’s, Isuzu formed a joint development and marketing agreement with General Motors Corporation, and as a result the Buick Opel and Chevrolet LUV became the first Isuzu-built vehicles to be sold in America. A decade later, Isuzu would open its first American showrooms under the name American Isuzu Motors, Inc, and would spend a year introducing the brand and building a dealer network.

Isuzu we know today was born, named after a river that flows past a Japanese shrine. By this time the company was already a major manufacturer of heavy duty trucks.
Over the next thirty years, Isuzu continued to grow and develop its business. Their diesel engines and diesel-powered snow tractors, among other equipment, were sent to Japan’s Antarctic Observation base, in 1955 along with some Isuzu personnel, and the equipment has remained operational since then. Four years later, the world’s first two-ton light-duty forward-control truck was built. The cab-over vehicle has remained one of Japan’s most enduring models.

Isuzu Motors, Ltd, is a Japanese car manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo. In 2005, they were the world’s largest producer of medium to heavy duty trucks. With plants in Fujisawa, Tochigi and Hokkaido, Isuzu is famous for commercial vehicles and diesel engines, having built 16 million of the latter just in 2003.

Although Isuzu did build it’s first Japanese car in 1922, the company has specialized in trucks since 1918. In 1935 it built a prototype bus for the Japanese market, that included innovations such as air brakes, and the engine being under the floor.

Cargo volume posterior to the first row is 80.1 cubic feet and 43.7 to the second. The upper payload limit on the 2WD is 1,133 lbs. and 1,156 on the 4WD. Towing capacity is 5,300/5,200 lbs. respectively (2WD/4WD) with the 3.42 axle and 5,800/5,700 lbs. on the 3.73 axle.

The standard audio system on the S model is a typical combo unit playing over six speakers. The LS and the Luxury add a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs. XM Satellite Radio is an option on both higher models and the Luxury can be equipped with a Premium Bose unit.

All models discourage car theft with an immobilizer system and entry via a remote. An alrm system is included. All occupants are protected by airbags in the front with additional bags in the curtain position to cushion against impact from the side. Child seats in the Ascenders are anchored in place with the standard LATCH system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe.

The seven-passenger Isuzu Ascender is available in three trim levels — the S, LS, and Limited in 2WD and 4WD. MSRP ranges from $28,683 (2WD) to $31,878 (4WD.)

Engine choices are a 4.2-liter 6-cylinder producing 291 horsepower with an automatic transmission or a 5.3-liter with 300 horsepower (also as an automatic.) Both engines get roughly 15 mpg city and 20 highway on a 25 gallon fuel tank. Maximum towing capacity ranges from 4,900 lbs. to 6,400 lbs. Cargo volume posterior to the first row is 107.4 cubic feet, to the second 66.5, and to the third 23.4.

The standard audio system on the 2007 Isuzu Ascender S Model is an AM/FM/CD combo with six speakers. The higher models include a six-disc in-dash changer. (XM Satellite Radio is also an option on the LS and the Limited. Both a bike package (including a hitch-mounted bike carrier) and a ski package are available as accessories. All-season, on/off road tires are standard on all models.

All are equipped with a 2.8 liter, 4-cylinder engine as a manual transmission with five speeds on the S and LS and an automatic with four speeds on the Luxury. Estimated fuel consumption on a 19.6 gallon tank is 20 mpg city and 26 highway on the manual two-wheel drive and 17/24 on the automatic. Maximum payload is 1,532 lbs. with the maximum trailer weight ranging from 2,100 to 3,100 lbs. The front brakes are ventilated disc units with drums to the rear and anti-locking technology (with additional monitoring of tire pressure) is present on all wheels.

The 2007 Isuzu i-290s are equipped with a full array of air bags covering the driver and passenger with bags in the curtain position to shield against impact from the side. (There is also an automatic system for the suppression of the passenger bag’s deployment.) To discourage car thieves Isuzu has provided for entry via the remote and included an alarm with an immobilizer system. The vehicle’s instrumentiation includes all standard gauges including an odometer with LCD display. The standard audio unit is a radio combo on the S model while the LS adds CD and MP3 capability. The Luxury includes a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs. (Both the LS and Luxury have six speakers.)

One thing that stands out is that Isuzu offers shoppers a choice between 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions powering the rear wheels. There are four trims available: 2 with automatic trannies and 2 with manual trannies. A lot of truck drivers are still in love with the act of grinding those gears, especially for off-road driving! Automatic transmissions are obviously considered more luxurious, but the demand for manual shifting still exists. Isuzu gives us this choice.

As for pricing, the 2008 i-290 doesn’t hurt that much. The MSRP is listed at $17,799 which is considerably below some of its competition’s. The best invoice price is $16,820. Fuel efficiency ratings are able to be appreciated weighing in at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Not bad at all. The engine is a 2.9L 185hp I4 and comes with a better warranty than does its competition. This 2008 Isuzu has been designed based on a combination of features present in the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon, but adds its own unique flair as well.

There are three new color choices available for the 2008 i-290, but the LS trim from 2007 has been discontinued. There is but one basic trim featuring a singular body style: the Extended Cab. The truck compliments its 3200 pound automatic transmission towing capacity with a payload tipping in at just over 1500 pounds. Front airbags with automatic passenger sensing, air conditioning, a CD/mp3 player, your choice of 15 inch aluminum or chrome wheels, tire pressure monitoring and automatic headlights are some of the standard features.

The gross vehicle weight rating is 5000 pounds with a curb weight of 3488 pounds. The exterior cargo length is 72.8 inches while the overall vehicle length is 207.1 inches. The exterior cargo volume rates at 44.0 cubic feet. The width of this sound, quality vehicle is 67.6 inches. Chrome bumpers and grill are accentuated by a clearcoat monotone paint scheme. A bumper-to-bumper warranty is in effect for 36 months or 50,000 miles outdoing the majority of the competition. Major components warranty rates at 84 months or 75,000 miles. A rust through warranty will give you peace of mind for 72 months or 100,000 miles and roadside assistance comes stock with these vehicles for 84 months or 100,000 miles.

The i-290 replaced the i-280 on the roads. The truck is a product of a joint venture between Isuzu and General Motors. It comes in one body type only, which is called the Extended Cab version. The truck comes with an automatic or manual gear system and in two versions; the S and LS. The truck is available in two-wheel drive. The i-290 is good for driving through city roads or carrying light roads on the highway, but it lacks the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances. Both versions of the i-290 are equipped with alloy tires and ABS brakes on all four tires.

The i-290 S Version is equipped with a power plug in the front, airbags in the front and side for the passengers, air conditioning, mirrors on the outside that can be folded, headlights made of halogen that are switched on automatically and daytime running lights. The LS version gets airbags on the side to protect the head, a system to make sure that the driver does not get locked out of the vehicle, mirrors outside the vehicle that can be adjusted with the touch of a button, tinted glass and back support for the driver and passengers. A consumer can buy the Isuzu i-290 with a system that has keyless entry, a gauge that tells the passengers what the outside temperature is, leather steering wheel, bucket seats in the front and lights to combat fog.

The engine is a 4.2 liter 6-cylinder generating 291 horsepower with an automatic transmission with four speeds and overdrive. Estimated fuel consumption is 16 mpg city and 22 highway for the 2WD and 15/21 on the 4WD. Fuel capacity is 21.7 gallons.

Cargo volume posterior to the first row is 80.1 cubic feet and 43.7 to the second. The upper payload limit on the 2WD is 1,133 lbs. and 1,156 on the 4WD. Towing capacity is 5,300/5,200 lbs. respectively (2WD/4WD) with the 3.42 axle and 5,800/5,700 lbs. on the 3.73 axle.

The standard audio system on the S model is a typical combo unit playing over six speakers. The LS and the Luxury add a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs. XM Satellite Radio is an option on both higher models and the Luxury can be equipped with a Premium Bose unit.

All models discourage car theft with an immobilizer system and entry via a remote. An alrm system is included. All occupants are protected by airbags in the front with additional bags in the curtain position to cushion against impact from the side. Child seats in the Ascenders are anchored in place with the standard LATCH system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe.

The seven-passenger Isuzu Ascender is available in three trim levels — the S, LS, and Limited in 2WD and 4WD. MSRP ranges from $28,683 (2WD) to $31,878 (4WD.)

Engine choices are a 4.2-liter 6-cylinder producing 291 horsepower with an automatic transmission or a 5.3-liter with 300 horsepower (also as an automatic.) Both engines get roughly 15 mpg city and 20 highway on a 25 gallon fuel tank. Maximum towing capacity ranges from 4,900 lbs. to 6,400 lbs. Cargo volume posterior to the first row is 107.4 cubic feet, to the second 66.5, and to the third 23.4.

The standard audio system on the 2007 Isuzu Ascender S Model is an AM/FM/CD combo with six speakers. The higher models include a six-disc in-dash changer. (XM Satellite Radio is also an option on the LS and the Limited. Both a bike package (including a hitch-mounted bike carrier) and a ski package are available as accessories. All-season, on/off road tires are standard on all models.

Standard safety features include an electronic stability system, anti-lock brakes, frotn and overhead airbags,a tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

As opposed to various trim models, the Ascender can be customized by adding one of the reasonably priced option packages to the base model. The Preferred Equipment Package includes privacy glass, velour seating, a cargo cover, remote keyless entry, and exterior side moldings with chrome inserts as well as cruise control and the Universal Home Remote system. The LS Option Package adds an upgraded stereo system with 6 CD changer and 6 speakers, a roof rack, power moon roof and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The Luxury Package includes a special monotone paint job and color coordinating rocker and side moldings, heated leather trimmed seats and a premium Bose audio system. All options packages are priced under $2100 and can be purchased separately or in any combination of the three.

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