Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance PICK-UP: Isuzu Rodeo range
Engine: 2.5-litre common-rail diesel (136bhp) or 3-0-litre common-rail diesel (161bhp) PAYLOAD: 1,075kg
Safety: Driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection door beams, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt pretensioners.

Decent Options for a Hard Worker

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Over the years Isuzu has always offered cars that were pretty straight forward in concept and design. Isuzu has rarely delivered a car that was a must have across the world. But they also have never delivered a vehicle that was bottom of the class do not buy at any costs either. While the former can be seen as a bad thing, the later is definitely a positive thing. Once again Isuzu has delivered a vehicle that is competent where it needs to be competent in the Rodeo Pick-Up.

Isuzu is offering the Rodeo Pick-Up with a couple of four-cylinder diesel powered engines under the bonnet. The entry level engine choice is the 2.5-litre 136bhp which can get from 0-60mph in 12.4 seconds. The next step up the engine ladder is the 3.0-litre that has 163bph of power and can get the truck from 0-60mph in about 10.4 seconds. Both engines have a max speed of about 109mph. Fuel consumption is good for a pick-up. The 2.5-litre engine gets a combined estimated 34.9mpg while the 3.0litre engine pulls in a respectable estimate 33.6mpg combine.

Every version of the Rodeo Pick-up, except the entry level single cab version, comes with four-wheel drive under the chassis. The Rodeo pick-up can be driven in two-wheel drive when needed, but can easily be switched back to four-wheel drive if the situation requires by flipping a couple of switches mounted on the dash.

The Rodeo Pick-up is offered in both single cab and double cab versions. The single cab version is a two-wheel drive only version aimed strictly at the entry level driver without a lot of cash to spend on a pick-up. All the Rodeos come standard with power windows, tinted glass, 12-volt power socket, central locking and an MP3-compatible stereo with a USB port. Standard safety features across the Rodeo line include driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution.

Cargo space in the Rodeo pick-up is 1525mm wide with a slim down to 1020mm between the wheel wells with load height maxing out at 450mm. Payload capacity will depend on which power plant you have under the bonnet. The 2.5-litre can take 1,075kgs while the 3.0ilitres can handle up to 1,235kg of payload in the bed.

Isuzu is offering the Rodeo Pick-up with a three year/60,000 mile warranty plus roadside assistance for the same three years. They recommend the service intervals to be around 12,000 miles. This is all pretty standard in the pick-up world.

At the end of the day the best thing that the Rodeo Pick-Up has going for it is the fact that it is a sturdy workhorse. It is a pick-up that is at its best when it is being used for work and not for driving the kids back and forth around town. People looking for a solid truck that will get the job done will be very pleased with the Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up. People looking for a luxury pick-up to pretend they do hard work should look elsewhere.