2000 Isuzu VehiCross: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Standard automatic climate control and larger wheels are midyear additions to this limited-production, 4-seat, 2-door sport-utility vehicle. Billed by Isuzu as a "high-performance sports vehicle," the VehiCross is about five inches shorter in wheelbase and overall length than its Amigo stablemate. It's also much heavier and more expensive thanks to a larger engine, more sophisticated 4WD system, and a longer list of standard equipment. VehiCross's body is metal with unpainted composite plastic lower cladding. The tailgate encloses the spare tire and swings open to the left beneath a top-hinged rear window.

VehiCross is distinguished by its running gear, borrowed largely from the Trooper. This includes the 3.5-liter V6, automatic transmission, and Torque On Demand 4WD system, which does not require that 4WD be disengaged on dry pavement. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, as are 18-inch wheels which replace the previous 16-inchers. The dashboard is shared with Isuzu's Amigo SUV, but VehiCross's front seats are leather-covered Recaro-brand buckets. Only the right front seat slides forward for access to the rear split-folding bench. For 2000, Isuzu has doubled its powertrain warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles on Amigo, Trooper, and VehiCross.

COMPETITION

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. The two current Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Though they don't offer true off-road ability, they mix the best ride, cargo, and comfort characteristics with all-weather traction. Toyota's RAV4 , which used to be a Best Buy, falls to Recommended based on its noisy engine and cramped rear seating area. Toyota hopes that will change when an all-new RAV arrives in 2001. As immovable as Mt. Rushmore, the Jeep Wrangler continues as our Budget Buy in this segment. Though it has become a status symbol of late, it's most at home crawling over rocks and fording river beds.