1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Build quality
- Ride
- Steering/handling
- Entry/exit
Cons
- Engine noise
- Road noise
Vehicle Highlights
Basically a clone of the Honda Odyssey, which went on sale in the U.S. in 1995, the Oasis was built in Japan by Honda. Both models differed from the minivan pack by featuring four conventional swing-open side doors. Oasis used the same 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine as the Odyssey, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. Dual airbags and all-disc antilock braking were standard. The base S model seated seven with two front buckets, a 3-place middle bench, and a 2-place rear bench. An LS Oasis seated six, replacing the middle bench with two bucket-type captain's chairs. On both models, the middle seats could be removed. The 2-place back seat folded flush into the floor for additional cargo space.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Isuzu Oasis Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis.
Year to Year Changes
1997 Isuzu Oasis:
Oasis was unchanged except for new body-colored outside mirrors, replacing the former black units.
1998 Isuzu Oasis:
Oasis gained power this season, trading its 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine for a 2.3-liter that produced 10 more horsepower. A restyled dashboard now incorporated a tachometer. The horn now was activated at the steering-wheel-hub pad, rather than by spoke buttons.
1999 Isuzu Oasis:
Honda redesigned its Odyssey for 1999, making it larger and more mainstream in conception. Isuzu continued to market the Oasis, related to the prior-generation Odyssey, but it faded away after 1999.
Our road test for the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Oasis delivers a firm and stable ride, exhibiting little body lean in turns. You can expect an absorbent and comfortable experience, even when rolling through bumpy urban streets. More agile and surefooted than most competitors, it feels more solid than the typical minivan. Acceleration is fairly brisk, but the 4-cylinder engine tends to get loud during hard acceleration. Road noise is excessive at highway speeds too, though wind noise is minimal for a minivan. Fuel economy ranks markedly above the minivan norm. We got mileage in the low 20s for city/highway driving. Interior dimensions are adequate but not great. For one thing, Oasis and Odyssey are narrower than the usual minivan. Three-across seating is especially cramped, and back-row leg room is tight. Front-to-rear walk-through space is limited, too. Even so, there's ample space for six in an Oasis, accompanied by sufficient cargo room for most people's requirements. The rear seat folds flush to the floor, serving as a clever alternative to removable seats. Plenty of storage areas are provided inside, too. Because the Oasis is smaller than most minivans, and stands about 3 inches lower than a Nissan Quest or Mercury Villager, getting aboard and exiting are exceptionally easy. The driving position is car-like, facing a well-organized dashboard. Visibility is good to all directions.
Value for the Money
If you don't need the greater interior space of a bigger minivan, or if you prefer swing-out rear doors to sliding side doors, an Oasis (or the nearly identical Honda Odyssey) can be a good choice.
If you don't need the greater interior space of a bigger minivan, or if you prefer swing-out rear doors to sliding side doors, an Oasis (or the nearly identical Honda Odyssey) can be a good choice.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Isuzu Oasis Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
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 Oasis includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Isuzu Oasis .
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.
Cigarette lighter:
The cigarette-lighter socket can become loose or fall out due to a loose ring nut on the back. (1996)
Engine misfire:
If the EGR port in the intake manifold clogs, drivability and/or emissions problems may result. (1999)
Fuel door:
The fuel door may not stay closed because the locking clip fails. (1999)
Fuel gauge:
The fuel gauge on some vehicles does not go all the way to "F" because the arm on the sending unit is too long. (1996)
Glovebox:
The glovebox door pops off because the latch assembly falls apart. (1996)
Seatbelts/safety:
Seatbelts may not retract or may retract slowly. Also, the button that keeps the seatbelt tongue (male half of seatbelt) from sliding down, breaks. (1996-97)
Vehicle noise:
A problem with the power-brake vacuum check valve causes a buzzing noise in the instrument panel when stopped and in gear. A revised check valve is available. (1996)
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 | $565 |
| Alternator | $280 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,095 |
| Brakes | $230 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $550 |
| Exhaust System | $365 |
| Radiator | $430 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $440 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $330 |
Our price chart for this generation Isuzu Oasis details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1999 | |||
| Oasis | $3,300-4,100 | $2,600-3,200 | $800-1,000 |
| 1998 | |||
| Oasis | $2,600-3,400 | $1,900-2,500 | $500-700 |
| 1997 | |||
| Oasis | $2,000-2,700 | $1,400-1,900 | $300-500 |
| 1996 | |||
| Oasis | $1,600-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $200-300 |
|
|
|||
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 Oasis include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 187.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.6 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3473 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 102.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.2 | |
| Seating Capacity | 71 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.1 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.3 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 40.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All Oasis minivans initially had the same powertrain: a 2.2-liter, single-overhead-cam 4-cylinder that made 140 horsepower. That unit was replaced in 1998 by a 2.3-liter, dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine that produced 150 horsepower. Both engines drove a 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 2.2 / 132 | 140 | 145 | 4-speed automatic: 21/26 | 4-speed automatic: 21.8 |
| dohc I4 | 2.3 / 137 | 150 | 152 | 4-speed automatic: 21/26 | 4-speed automatic: 20.6 |
|
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 Oasis include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 Oasis |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1996-1999 Isuzu Oasis directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1997-98:
Certain ball joints can wear out prematurely and, in worst case, would separate, causing front suspension to collapse.
1999:
Engine may stall without warning due to degrading electrical contacts in the ignition switch.
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