1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Handling (XS)
- Fuel economy
- Airbag
Cons
- Rear-seat room
- Noise
Vehicle Highlights
Replacing the old I-Mark, Isuzu's subcompact Stylus sedan arrived in late spring of 1990, as a late '90 model. In the same year, Isuzu launched a sporty Impulse coupe, built on the same front-drive chassis. A 95-horsepower, 1.6-liter 4 cylinder engine went into the base S model, with either 5-speed manual shift or a 3-speed automatic transmission. Stepping up to the XS sedan brought a 125 horsepower dual-overhead-cam engine, as in the Impulse coupe. Only manual shift was offered in the XS. The Stylus S sedan had 13-inch tires, standard manual steering, and front-disc/rear-drum brakes. Power steering, all-disc brakes, 14-inch tires and a firmer Lotus-tuned suspension went into the XS sedan.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Isuzu Stylus S w/automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 30 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Isuzu Stylus:
No significant change was evident for the Stylus's second season.
1992 Isuzu Stylus:
Although the base Stylus kept its 95-horsepower engine, the XS sedan got a new engine. A twin-cam, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, making 140 horsepower, replaced the prior 130-horsepower, 1.6-liter powerplant. With the new engine, the optional automatic transmission was a four-speed unit rather than a three-speed.
1993 Isuzu Stylus:
Isuzu's subcompact passenger cars changed little for 1993, before fading away. However, the sporty XS version already was gone. That left only a single front drive model for '93.
Our road test for the 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Their front-drive chassis might have been shared, but the Stylus sedan and the Impulse coupe were very different automobiles. Both suffered from insufficient low-end torque. Road and engine noise are bothersome, as is exhaust noise at high engine rpm. The basic 95-horsepower engine is, quite simply, woefully short on power--especially with the 3-speed automatic transmission. It struggles to maintain speed on hills, though standing-start acceleration isn't bad. We managed a respectable 12.4 seconds to 60 mph. Fuel economy is competitive, as our test Stylus achieved better than 24 mpg overall. An overdrive fourth gear for the automatic transmission would be needed to yield quieter highway running and better gas mileage. The larger 1.8-liter engine introduced for 1992 offers the low- and mid-range torque that had been lacking in the 1.6-liter, so you don't have to rev above 4000 rpm to get at the usable power. Better yet, the added horsepower was not accompanied by undue torque steer--an undesirable condition in which the front tires of some powerful front drive cars are jerked to the side during hard acceleration. In braking tests, a Stylus suffered abrupt rear-wheel lockup as well as disturbing front-end clunks and groans. Not the sort of thing one likes to hear when the need to halt is urgent.
Value for the Money
All told, there was little to set the Stylus apart from its competitors when it was new. The same is true today. Though better than Isuzu models of the 1980s, Stylus did not reach the level of the best competitors of its time.
All told, there was little to set the Stylus apart from its competitors when it was new. The same is true today. Though better than Isuzu models of the 1980s, Stylus did not reach the level of the best competitors of its time.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Isuzu Stylus S w/automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 30 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Isuzu Stylus includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Isuzu Stylus .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Cold-starting problems:
The 1.6L engine may be hard to start when cold unless a revised ECM (computer) was installed. (1991)
Engine stalling:
The engine idles rough or even stalls after deceleration unless a revised ECM (computer) was installed. (1990-91)
Manual transmission:
Difficulty shifting, especially into second gear, is caused by a worn rubber stopper on the shifter allowing it to flop from side to side, but adjusting the shifter often overcomes this. (1990-91)
Suspension noise:
Clicking from the rear suspension is corrected by replacing the rear stabilizer-bar brackets. (1990-92)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $440 |
| Alternator | $325 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $985 |
| Brakes | $290 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $405 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $760 |
| Exhaust System | $325 |
| Radiator | $315 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $400 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $255 |
Our price chart for this generation Isuzu Stylus details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1993 | |||
| Stylus | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1992 | |||
| Stylus | $1,000-1,200 | $600-700 | $100 |
| 1991 | |||
| Stylus | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1990 | |||
| Stylus | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Isuzu Stylus include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 96.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 165.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 54 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2251 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.4 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 12.4 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.9 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
In 1990-91, both models had 1.6-liter engines: 95 horsepower for the Stylus S, and 125 horsepower from the dual-cam version in the Stylus XS. A bigger (1.8 liter) and more-powerful 4-cylinder went into the XS version for 1992, but lasted only a single season. A 3-speed automatic transmission could replace the standard 5-speed manual gearbox with the 95-horsepower engine. Four-speed automatic was the optional choice with the 1.8-liter engine of 1992.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.8 / 109 | 140 | 120 | 5-speed manual: 23/31 4-speed automatic: 22/30 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 95 | 97 | 5-speed manual: 31/37 3-speed automatic: 28/33 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 125-130 | 102 | 5-speed manual: 26/33 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 125-130 | 102 | 5-speed manual: 26/33 | 5-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Isuzu Stylus include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Stylus |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | -- |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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