1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2000 Isuzu VehiCross
2001 Isuzu VehiCross
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1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross ▼

  • Price Range:  $4,800 - $8,700
CG Rating

43

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Acceleration
  • Maneuverability
  • Cargo room

Cons

  • Entry/exit
  • Noise
  • Visibility

Vehicle Highlights

Billed as a "high-performance sports vehicle," Isuzu's limited-production compact SUV had two doors and four-wheel drive. It actually evolved from a 1993 concept vehicle, seen at the Tokyo Motor Show. Although the VehiCross was more unique than most, sport-utility vehicle rivals included the Ford Explorer Sport, Isuzu's own Amigo, Jeep Wrangler, and Subaru Forester. About five inches shorter in wheelbase and overall length than its Amigo stablemate, the VehiCross was much heavier and more expensive, thanks to a bigger engine, more sophisticated 4WD system, and longer standard-equipment list. The steel body was complemented with unpainted, composite plastic (polypropylene) lower cladding for chip/scratch resistance. Black matte paint on the hood was intended to cut down glare. Swinging open to the left, beneath a top-hinged rear window, the tailgate enclosed the VehiCross's spare tire. Appearance aside, the VehiCross was mostly distinguished by its running gear (borrowed mainly from the big Trooper), including a 3.5-liter V6 with four-speed automatic transmission and "terrain-sensing" Torque-On-Demand four-wheel drive. The 4WD system did not need to be disengaged on dry pavement. It continually evaluated axle speeds, throttle position, and brake/ABS use, adjusting front/rear torque distribution every 20 milliseconds. A dashboard readout indicated how much torque was being sent to the front axle. All-disc antilock braking was standard, along with 16-inch tires. Recaro-brand front bucket seats were leather-upholstered in distinctive red/black. Only the right front seat slid forward for access to a split folding rear bench.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Isuzu VehiCross Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 4
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 6
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 5
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 4
Cargo Capacity 7
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 43
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross.

Year to Year Changes


2000 Isuzu VehiCross: Nothing other than new colors marked the 2000 models. Halfway through its second season, 18-inch tires replaced the previous 16-inchers. At the same time, standard air conditioning was upgraded to automatic climate control. Isuzu's powertrain warranty was doubled this year, to 10 years or 120,000 miles. An Ironman option package included a roof rack along with special badging and graphics.
2001 Isuzu VehiCross: Except for the addition of rear child-seat tethers, nothing was new for the VehiCross in what turned out to be its final year.

Our road test for the 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Although the VehiCross might look unorthodox, it's among the better-performing SUVs, delivering good acceleration, accurate steering, and good grip and balance in turns. Better yet, you get those benefits without excessive body lean. Ground clearance close to 8 inches helps enhance its offroad capabilities, too. On the down side, the V6 engine sounds coarse under even moderate throttle. In addition, a test model suffered plenty of intrusive gear whine, as well as a wind leak from a driver's window. Fuel economy in early testing averaged 14.7 mpg. Although the VehiCross suffers from a choppy ride over uneven pavement, most bumps are easily absorbed. Braking performance and pedal feel are satisfactory, but nothing special. High step-in and a low roofline translate to difficult entry/exit, though seats are comfortable--especially the Recaro-brand front buckets, which are emphatically a rarity in vehicles of this sort. The cabin is roomy enough, too. Shared with Isuzu's Amigo, the dashboard has hard-to-reach audio and climate controls. The rear bench splits 50/50 and folds flat, but cargo space is tight. Visibility is dangerously obstructed over-the-shoulder. Worse yet, the slotlike rear window and intrusive spare-tire shell conspire to hide virtually all objects behind the vehicle.
Value for the Money
Not a hot prospect for most people's want-to-buy list, the curious-looking VehiCross might be viewed as an answer to a question no one had asked. Priced against roomier, more traditional four-door SUVs, any value that it has--or had--must be emotional in nature rather than rational.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Isuzu VehiCross Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 4
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 6
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 5
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 4
Cargo Capacity 7
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 43

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 VehiCross includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Isuzu VehiCross .

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.

Audio system: A defective connector behind the radio causes poor reception of AM stations from lack of amplification. (1999)

Rough idle: Intake manifold gaskets on V6 engines crack resulting in poor idle, rough running, and check-engine light. (1999)

Starter: Aftermarket remote-starting devices may cause the transmission to upshift roughly. Removing the remote kit will correct the condition. (1999-2000)

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 $555
Alternator $310
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $955
Brakes $280
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $455
Constant Velocity Joints $915
Exhaust System $550
Radiator $600
Shocks and/or Struts $450
Timing Chain or Belt $425
Our price chart for this generation Isuzu VehiCross details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2001
VehiCross $8,500-9,700 $7,700-8,700 $4,400-5,000
2000
VehiCross $7,000-8,000 $6,200-7,100 $3,300-3,800
1999
VehiCross $5,600-6,500 $4,800-5,600 $2,300-2,700
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 VehiCross include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 2-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 91.8
Overall Length, in. 162.6
Overall Width, in. 70.5
Overall Height, in. 66.9
Curb Weight, lbs. 3955
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 50.4
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 22.5
Seating Capacity 4
Front Head Room, in. 38.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 43.1
Rear Head Room, in. 35.4
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 29.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

A 215-horsepower, dual-overhead-cam V6 engine, generating 215 horsepower, worked with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc V6 3.5 / 213 215 230 4-speed automatic: 15/19 4-speed automatic: 14.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  Japan
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Isuzu VehiCross include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

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 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

: None

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