2004 Isuzu Rodeo Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Isuzu's oldest SUV gains a new engine for 2004 while losing its 2-dr model and 4-cyl engine. This 4-dr SUV has a side-hinged tailgate with flip-up glass. Rodeo is offered as a single S model. The 2-dr Rodeo Sport is discontinued. Two V6 engines are available: the standard 3.2 liter with 205 hp and a newly optional 250-hp 3.5. The 4-cyl engine is dropped. The 3.2 is available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission; 3.5 models come only with automatic. Rodeos offer 2WD or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. ABS is standard, side airbags are unavailable. All Rodeos use 16-inch wheels. A tire-pressure monitor was added as standard equipment during the model year.

News

Rodeo Sport is already gone, and the Rodeo itself ends production this summer. So does its high-style offshoot, the Axiom. Though SUV demand is strong as ever, Isuzu still struggles to survive as a vehicle maker in the face of continuing meager U.S. sales. The end of Rodeo and Axiom leaves dealers with only the GM-sourced Ascender to sell until model-year 2007. At that point, sources expect a midsize body-on-frame SUV based on a pickup built in low-wage Thailand--assuming Isuzu is not forced to abandon retail sales before then.

2004 Isuzu Rodeo Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Wind noise

	Fuel economy

	Ride

	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
4	4.8

The 3.2-liter V6 is reasonably peppy and has decent passing power. Test automatic-transmission 3.2 4WD Rodeo did 0-60 mph in 9.3 sec. Unfortunately, the automatic can dither in full-throttle downshifts. And most rivals don't need to disengage 4WD on dry pavement. No Rodeo with 3.5-liter V6 made available for testing.

Fuel Economy

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
3	3.8

Typical of 6-cyl midsize SUVs. Test automatic-transmission 3.2-liter V6 4WD Rodeos averaged 14.5-15.8 mpg.

Ride Quality

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
2	4.5

Truck-chassis-choppy on rough pavement, harsh over big bumps and potholes.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
4	3.7

Fairly agile for a midsize SUV, but still plenty of body lean and tire squeal in tight turns.

Quietness

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
4	4.4

Tire noise considerable at highway speeds, wind rush even more so. Marked engine roar at full throttle.

Controls

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
6	6.2

Dated but convenient design. Cabin materials nothing special and decor rather spartan, but available leather upholstery helps.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
6	6.4

Supportive seats, plenty of head room, and a lower step-in height than most SUVs, but seats are too low to the floor and the driver seat lacks both height adjustment and sufficient rearward travel for the long-of-leg.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
4	5.6

Narrow door openings hamper entry/exit. Toe space minimal, but otherwise good room for two adults.

Cargo Room

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
8	7.8

Side-hinged tailgate demands cumbersome two-handed operation: Opening requires raising the window; closing demands releasing a lever in the hinge area.

Value within Class

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
3	5.1

Though fairly sporty, the Rodeo's more-than-decade-old design leaves it way behind today's competition in most respects, especially in ride and 4WD convenience.

Total Score

4WD S 3.2, auto.	Class Average
44	52.3

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		39
Average Score		52
High Score		66

2004 Isuzu Rodeo Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/25/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD S 3.2 4-door wagon, manual	$19,799	$18,611	$650

2WD S 3.2 4-door wagon, automatic	$20,949	$19,692	$650

4WD S 3.2 4-door wagon, automatic	$22,829	$21,459	$650

2WD S 3.5 4-door wagon, automatic	$23,699	$22,277	$650

4WD S 3.5 4-door wagon, automatic	$25,699	$24,157	$650

Price note: S 3.2 w/automatic requires Preferred Equipment Pkg.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

S 3.2

Powertrain

3.2-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, cruise control (automatic), cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, driver-side visor mirror, map lights, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

225/75R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, skid plates, 245/70R16 tires.

S 3.5 adds to S 3.2:

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, power driver seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, variable-intermittent wipers, passenger-side visor mirror, cargo cover.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

245/70R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, heated power mirrors, skid plates.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Equipment Pkg.
2WD S 3.2 automatic	$1,599	$1,503
4WD S 3.2 automatic	$1,549	$1,456
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover, roof rails, 245/70R16 tires (2WD).

Luxury Pkg.
S 3.5	$3,620	$3,403
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system, alloy wheels. NA w/Chrome Pkg. Appearance Pkg.

Appearance Pkg.
S 3.5	$899	$845
Iron Gray colored bumpers and exterior trim, fog lights, alloy wheels. Requires Sound Pkg., AM/FM radio in-dash 6-disc CD changer. NA w/Chrome Pkg.

Chrome Pkg.
S 3.5	$1,295	$1,217
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system, chrome side steps, chrome taillight trim, unique alloy wheels. NA w/Appearance Pkg.

Color-Keyed Pkg.
S 3.5	$1,633	$1,535
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system, color-keyed exterior trim, rear spoiler, chrome side steps, unique alloy wheels.

Sound Pkg.
S 3.5	$499	$469
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system. Requires Appearance Pkg.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
S 3.2 manual	$1,000	$940


Power sunroof
S 3.5	$700	$658


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
S 3.5	$420	$395


Floormats
S 3.2, S 3.5	$35	$32


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Alloy wheels
automatic	$400	$376

2004 Isuzu Rodeo Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Isuzu Rodeo 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	106.4

Overall Length, in.	183.7

Overall Width, in.	70.4

Overall Height, in.	69.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	4124

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	81.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.1

Rear Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.0

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

Engines

	dohc V6	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.2 /193	3.5 /213

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5400	250 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	214 @ 3000	246 @ 3000

Availability	Standard	Optional

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	17/21	--/--

4-speed automatic	17/23	17/21

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Isuzu Rodeo 4-door wagon

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	7/75,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	7/75,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2004 Isuzu Rodeo Photos

Also in the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo Review:

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Isuzu Rodeo Road Test

Isuzu Rodeo Prices & Equipment

Isuzu Rodeo Specs & Safety

Isuzu Rodeo Photos

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