2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport: Road Test
2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport ▼
- MSRP: $13,999 - $22,379
- Invoice: $13,848 - $21,035
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Our road test for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport help you decide if a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo and Rodeo Sport is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4.9 |
Sluggish with 4 cyl. Peppy V6s have good passing power. Test automatic-transmission V6 4WD Rodeos averaged 8.7 sec 0-60 mph. In V6 Sports, automatic downshifted more promptly for passing than in Rodeo. Stop-and-go driving tedious with balky manual shift in Sport. Most rival SUVs don't need to disengage 4WD on dry pavement.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.7 |
Test automatic-transmission V6 4WD Rodeos averaged 14.5-15.8 mpg. Test Sport V6s averaged 15.1-17.3 mpg. No opportunity to measure with 4 cyl.
RIDE QUALITY
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.4 |
Rodeo is truck-chassis-choppy on rough pavement, harsh over big bumps and potholes. Slightly lighter-weight Sport absorbs small bumps pretty well, but wavy pavement, potholes, and frost heaves introduce uncomfortable bucking.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
Among the more-agile SUVs of their size, but still plenty of body lean and tire squeal in tight turns. Bumpy corners make the Sport's tail skitter.
QUIETNESS
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
Tire noise considerable at highway speeds, wind rush even more so. Marked engine roar at full throttle. Sport convertible suffers more wind and traffic noise than wagons.
CONTROLS
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6.1 |
Dated but convenient design. Cabin decor nothing special, but available leather upholstery helps dress it up. Working the Sport convertible's vinyl soft top is a chore, and the one on our brand-new test model was already ripping.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
Supportive seats, plenty of head room. Lower step-in height than most SUVs. But seats very low to floor and driver seat lacks both height adjustment and sufficient rearward travel for the long-of-leg. Outside spare tire hinders vision astern. Sport rear and over-shoulder visibility poor, especially in convertible-- top up or down.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5.4 |
Narrow door openings hamper entry/exit. Toe space minimal. Otherwise, good room for two adults in Rodeo. Sport more crowded.
CARGO ROOM
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7.8 |
Side-hinged tailgate demands cumbersome two-handed operation. On wagons, opening requires raising the window, closing demands releasing a lever in the hinge area.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
V6 Rodeos emphasize the sport in sport utility, but a basic design now more than a decade old leaves them way behind today's competition in most respects, especially in ride and 4WD convenience. Two-door SUVs have limited appeal, but Rodeo Sport is more substantial than a Suzuki Vitara and larger than a Jeep Wrangler. It's also worth considering against the 2-dr Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Explorer Sport.
Total Score
| Sport S conv, man. | Sport S V6 4WD, auto | Rodeo S 4-cyl 2WD, auto. | Rodeo S V6 4WD, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 37 | 43 | 46 | 51.2 |
Total Score: 35
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
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