2001 is Isuzu Motor Ltd's 85th year, and the company is marking the occasion with a special Polar White Pearl Anniversary Edition Trooper. Also for 2001, Isuzu has re-introduced a two-wheel-drive Trooper at every trim level.
All Troopers are big, smooth-riding, and highly capable sport-utility wagons. The basic Trooper S is priced among the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer, and Jeep Cherokee; while with all available equipment the Trooper Limited moves closer to the luxury-SUV range, along with the Mitsubishi Montero and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Three trim levels--S, LS and Limited-continue for 2001, although now each is offered with two- or four-wheel drive. All 2WD Troopers come with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the 4WD S ($27,620) model alone can be ordered with a five-speed manual gearbox. Regardless of trim, four-wheel-drive automatics feature Isuzu's full-time Torque-On-Demand (TOD) system.
All models are fitted with a 3.5-liter double overhead-cam V6 engine that produces 215 horsepower. All come standard with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, independent front suspension and a four-link rear axle, power steering, cruise control, dual front airbags, air conditioning and power everything else. A 2WD S starts at $27,170.
LS, for $28,765, adds an in-dash six-CD changer, fog lights, privacy glass, leather-wrapped steering wheel and color-keyed fender flares. Limited models (starting at $32,813) are distinguished from the outside by a handsome two-tone paint scheme and 12-spoke alloy wheels. Smooth leather seating surfaces tightly stretch over five large seats, and a large, powered glass moon roof includes a sun shade. Add an even $2,000 to the prices above for 4WD.
The Anniversary Edition, not yet priced at press time, includes all LS equipment plus 12-spoke alloy wheels with white-accented openings; beige leather and woodgrain trim for the interior; an eight-way driver's seat and four-way passenger seat; Nakamichi stereo; and beige heathered floor mats.
Trooper is a big SUV, loaded with luxury equipment, and heavy at 4200-4600 pounds. A recent rounding off of the front fascia by Isuzu's stylists attempted to hide the "box it came in" styling, but we think Isuzu need not apologize for the square shape of this SUV. Its conservative looks have aged well.
The Trooper's trademark rear cargo doors remain, with a large left-side door that carries the spare tire and a smaller right-side door.
The Trooper can haul an amazing amount of gear. We made maximum use of this capability by removing the rear seat cushions and backrests with a couple of socket wrenches. This gave us an enormous empty cargo area that easily swallowed two mountain bikes with their wheels attached. It also provided us with yards of floor space that we lined with milk crates containing all our riding paraphernalia. That was for a week's trip to biking Meccas from Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, to the Virginia coast. It was clearly more space than is needed by just two people.
Even if you're not so ambitious with tools and travel with more than two people, you'll still find a ton of space inside the Trooper-mostly a result of its height. Yet the Trooper's interior is slightly larger than that of the Montero, which is taller still. Trooper's interior seems even more spacious due to the large glass area. This makes it easy to see the corners of the vehicle for parallel parking and more precise maneuvering off-road.
The Trooper comes with dual front airbags. The steering wheel tilts, but I'm tall and needed to leave it in its uppermost position to clear my knees. These same knees often rubbed on the wide center console. As big as the Trooper feels inside, it's a surprise how little space is devoted to the driver.
The driver and passenger are separated by an enormous floor-mounted console, which houses the shift lever, transfer case lever, and four cupholders. Still, there's plenty of space to park maps and CDs. Front-seat passengers will appreciate the large grab handle within easy reach if the driver gets carried away on bumpy roads.
