Stronger V6 engines and a greater number of Spacecab variations highlight changes to Isuzu's version of the Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma compact pickup truck. Hombre wears distinct front-end sheetmetal, but is otherwise virtually identical to its General Motors' cousins. Model choices are expanded for 2000 to include V6 Spacecabs (extended-cabs) in base S trim. Spacecabs were previously offered only in pricier XS guise. However, Hombre still lacks some combinations available in the GM models, such as V6 regular cabs and 2WD V6 extended-cabs with manual transmission. It also has fewer options.
Hombre comes in regular-cab and Spacecab models, the latter offering an optional driver-side third door. Both have a 6-foot long cargo bed; the 7.3-foot bed available on the GM versions is not offered. Engines are GM's 2.2-liter 4-cylinder or 4.3-liter V6 with manual or automatic transmission. For 2000, the V6 gains 5 horsepower in 2WD applications, 10 in 4WD models.
Four-wheel-drive versions have GM's shift-on-the-fly, slippery surfaces-only 4WD system. Antilock brakes are standard, and 4WD models add rear discs. Also, the heavy-duty suspension previously optional on 2WD regular-cab S models is now standard across the line. Hombre's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped S-10s and Sonomas.