CD player, machine finished alloy wheels and flip and tumble rear seats to conveniently increase cargo space when needed. 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.

Although there are more advanced mid size SUVs on the market, the 2008 Isuzu Ascender has low range gear ratios and a body on frame construction that make this vehicle very capable during off road excursions, something not as easily achieved by other vehicles in this category. However, the real attraction is the low sticker price. Even the 4WD model has a MSRP of under $30,000, making it is one of the most affordable mid size 4WD SUV’s available today.

The new Ascender offered a choice between two engines - one with six cylinders and the other a V8. It could be bought with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and came in three types; S, LS, and Limited. The manufacturer offered a warranty of three years or 50,000 miles for the vehicle and 10 years or 120,000 miles for its engine. The vehicle was equipped with disc brakes for all four tires and airbags in the front, but it did not have any airbags on the side. In 2004, airbags on the side became an option and the Ascender was now being offered as a vehicle that could seat five passengers. In 2005, the Ascender got a Displacement on Demand System manufactured by General Motors that helped the vehicle save fuel. Also added were airbags that protected the heads of the passengers.

The Isuzu Ascender for the model year 2007 comes as a sports utility vehicle that can seat five passengers and it derives its power from a 4.2 Liter engine having six cylinders. The Ascender is equipped with an automatic gear system having four gears. The Ascender is available in three versions; S, LS and Luxury models. The entry level S model has a system to monitor tire pressure in all four tires, lights to combat fog, a system to control temperatures inside the vehicle from the back seat and a stereo system with a CD player. The LS model has a moon roof, defrosters for the mirrors outside the vehicle and a stereo system with controls on the steering wheel. The Luxury version has leather seats, front seats that are heated, driver seat memory and a stereo system with six speakers. All Isuzu models have 80 cubic feet where one can store baggage and plenty of room for the passengers to stretch out their legs.

SUV offerings. However, the Ascender’s rugged construction, stylish trim levels and low price help make this 5 passenger mid size SUV stand out in the crowded sport utility vehicle marketplace.

The only available trim is the ‘S’ model, which is available in rear wheel drive or 4 wheel drive and comes standard with dual zone air conditioning, stereo system with CD player, machine finished alloy wheels and flip and tumble rear seats to conveniently increase cargo space when needed. 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.

Although there are more advanced mid size SUVs on the market, the 2008 Isuzu Ascender has low range gear ratios and a body on frame construction that make this vehicle very capable during off road excursions, something not as easily achieved by other vehicles in this category. However, the real attraction is the low sticker price. Even the 4WD model has a MSRP of under $30,000, making it is one of the most affordable mid size 4WD SUV’s available today.

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 2008 Isuzu i-290 may not be outselling the competition, but it is definitely worth your serious consideration.

In fact it is one of only three models of vehicle that this company still sells stateside, period. The truck is a compact-midsize vehicle that would be comparable to the GMC Canyon or the Chevy Colorado. This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, because the i-370 was developed jointly with GMC.

The i-370 is the more powerful of the two trucks that Isuzu manufactures and can be purchased in extended or crew cab configurations, and also has an optional Insta-Trac 4wd system. These options play heavily in its favor. The smaller a truck is, the worse it has been selling in recent years, with true compact models sales dipping significantly. They just don’t have enough work capability to be a viable truck for most people. However, the option of getting an extended or crew cab, and being able to have four wheel drive make the i-370 more useful on the jobsite.

While this is a lower priced truck and is obviously not a luxury model, you can still get most of the creature comforts you have come to expect in a vehicle for 2008. Air, MP3 stereo, keyless entry, tilt, cruise, and power windows, doors, and mirrors all come standard on the truck. You can also purchase the comfort package which will bring in such items as heated seats and leather. Unfortunately, many are looking to have the interior of their trucks as luxurious as the interior of their SUVs these days, and that just isn’t going to happen on this model.

The engine is okay for a midsize truck. With its inline five, it delivers around 242 hp. For those buying a midsize rather than a full size truck, it is possible that they realize they aren’t going to need the extra power, and that’s fine. The obvious trade off is that you are going to get better gas mileage in this vehicle than you would in most V6 trucks, and better than the V8 trucks that are out there. However, if you are looking for a smaller truck that can still be a powerful work vehicle at the same time, there are other models out there that can fulfill that role better. Many foreign automakers can make quite viable trucks for a number of purposes, but the American truck still remains supreme for a sturdy work vehicle.

A large part of making the decision on what truck to purchase comes down to what you’re going to use it for. If you want it because you occasionally need to haul larger items around in a truck bed, but still want a vehicle small enough and efficient enough on gas to drive around the city, then the 2008 Isuzu i-370 could be a very good selection for you. On the other hand, if you need a powerful work vehicle in a small package, there are other options that may suit your needs better. Just decide exactly what you are looking for in your vehicle before you buy, and you should be fine.

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. Research and development continued, as did many mergers and re-acquisitions, and in 1949, the 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.

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.

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.

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