Isuzu's all-new, 2003 Ascender has made a big impression since arriving at dealerships last November. And why not; it's one of the largest vehicles ever offered by the Japanese automaker that's now 48.5 percent owned by General Motors.
Isuzu's latest entry into its all-SUV lineup seats up to seven riders with standard third-row seating. This flagship vehicle replaces the aging Trooper in its marketing mix. Three trim levels (S, LS and up-level Limited) are available with two engine choices. An in-line, 4.2-liter V-6 cranking out 275 horsepower is standard in S and LS trims while a more potent 5.3-liter V-8 generates 290 horses and is standard in Limited and optional in LS.
Both engines are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and require lower-priced regular unleaded fuel for the 25-gallon tank. All three trim levels come with the choice of two-wheel rear drive or four-wheel drive.
Isuzu, one of the smaller Asian automotive players, is leaning heavily on its alliance with the world's largest automaker (GM) with the Ascender project. Underneath the Isuzu badging is a redecorated version of GM's new extended length mid-size sport utility platform. In the 2002 model year, GM introduced a new generation of five-passenger mid-size sport utilities; the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Oldsmobile Bravada and GMC Envoy. About six months later, an extended version that's stretched 16 inches longer with three rows of seating was introduced under the Trailblazer EXT and EnvoyXLbadging. Ascender is strictly a seven-passenger model based on the extended GM platform.
While many mechanical properties are identical to Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL, Isuzu's corporate warranty is longer in duration than General Motors'. Ascender, as with Isuzu's three other SUV offerings, comes with a seven-year/75,000-mile (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty. For 2003, Isuzu improves its 24-hour roadside assistance coverage from five-year/ 60,000 miles to a seven-year/75,000-mile plan. Roadside assistance covers lockout protection, flat tire repair, battery recharging and towing at no charge to the customer. Isuzu's basic warranty is for threeyears/50,000miles while the corrosion warranty is six years/100,000 miles.
Contrast this with GM's warranty covering Trailblazer EXT and Envoy XL which includes a three-year/36,000-mile drivetrain warranty and a roadside assistance program good for three-years or 36,000 miles. The GM corrosion warranty is good for three years or 100,000 miles.
Inside, Ascender includes second and third-row seating that folds flat, opening up an impressive 100.2 cubic feet of cargo room when needed. Third-row seats pull forward before the seat backs fold down onto the cushions while the 60/40 split second row bench incorporates seatbacks that first fold down before the entire seat flips forward. A maneuverable isle to the third row is opened up when second-row seats tilt forward. Theatre-style seating raises the second row slightly higher than the first, and the third slightly higher than the second.
Exterior-wise, Ascender differentiates itself from its GM counterparts with a unique front grille, headlights, taillights and wheel covers. Ascender's rear hatch opens two ways: a glass window flips up independently or the entire unit, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom.
Isuzu presented the Daily Herald with an LS, two-wheel drive, six-cylinder version which started at $31,834. After adding a preferred equipment package (power driver seat, and heated mirrors) and $625 destination charge, the bottom line was $32,312. The lowest-priced version, an S trim with two-wheel drive and six-cylinders, checks in at $28,649.
The most opulent, a Limited edition four-wheel drive V-8, drains the check book of $38,549. Ascender's $28,649 starting price is slightly less than both its Trailblazer and GMC counterparts.
The GM-based inline six-cylinder engine is impressive, delivering power and towing ability of a traditional eight-cylinder. Our test vehicle included this smooth-running powertrain and was more than adequate. But beware, fuel mileage of the six banger was a subpar 15 miles per gallon city and 20 m.p.g. highway.
Isuzu's 2003 model lineup consists of three other truck-based, body-on-frame designed vehicles: the mid-size four-door Axiom, mid-size four-door Rodeo and two-door Rodeo Sport.
All Isuzu vehicles are designed to go off-road unlike several other recently introduced car-based SUVs including the Mitsubishi Outlander, Saturn VUE, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Isuzu plans on selling approximately 40,000 units this year in North America. |