Isuzu Rodeo

The Isuzu Rodeo was a midsize SUV made by Isuzu and introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model. The Rodeo ceased production in 2004. Isuzu had made several variations to the Rodeo and rebadged the Rodeo for other car companies such as Honda, Opel/Vauxhall and Holden. In the United States, the Rodeo was manufactured at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc. (now, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.) in Lafayette, Indiana.

Isuzu was rumored to prefer the "ro-DEE-o" pronunciation rather "ro-DAY-o". The vehicle was still considered an import, as 75 percent of its parts were made overseas.

History

1991-1992

The Rodeo made its debut in 1991. The mid-size SUV was available with either a 2.6 L 4-cylinder engine or a 120 hp (90 kW), 3.1 L V6 made by General Motors. An automatic transmission was available for the latter.

The vehicle was available with four wheel drive with manually locking hubs on the S version and automatically locking hubs on the XS and top-of-the-line LS. Rear antilock brakes were standard feature, but not an option for all four wheels.

All models had a rear seat bottom which folded forward — and rear seat back which folded down — vastly extending the 35 cubic foot (1.0 m³) cargo area. The vehicle's lug wrench was stored under the seat bottom, concealed by a carpeted Velcro flap. The jack was located behind a plastic panel in the left-rear of the cargo area along with the rear-windshield-washer fluid reservoir if so-equipped.

The LS was available with privacy glass, velour upholstery and split-folding rear seats. The front door handles also had to be held aloft while closing the doors to lock.

A rear wheel drive, manual transmission model with a 21.9 U.S. gallon (83 L) tank was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in city driving, 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) on the highway. A four wheel drive model with the V6 and automatic transmission was rated at 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) city and 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) highway, though these ratings were disputed by auto reviewers from the beginning.