Isuzu RODEO MAX LE SPECIAL EDITION PICK-UP RANGE
There seems to be a running battle amongst the leading pick-up truck manufacturers to come up with the boldest, most chrome-laden, highest specification truck on the road. Isuzus opening salvo was the Rodeo Denver model the top spec version in the standard Rodeo range. Then they upped the anti by launching the Rodeo Denver Max special edition a pick-up with yet more presence. As the game moved on, however, it became clear that this wasnt going to be quite enough and so Isuzu have brought out the big guns in the shape of the Rodeo Denver Max LE.
Its hard to imagine where they can go from here.
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0-litre turbo diesel engine out from 129bhp to 153bhp. Thats quite a leap and the resulting boost to performance really adds something extra to the Rodeo package. 0-60mph acceleration is increased from 16.8s in the standard Rodeo to 12.
4s in the Max LE, partly thanks to the healthy boost in torque from 206lb/ft to 258lb/ft at the same 2,000rpm. Just so that everybody knows Prodrive have had their oily hands on your Isuzu Rodeo, the Max LE also features 18" Prodrive alloy wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres and a Prodrive mesh grille.
"Its a deal at which buyers will find it hard to turn up their noses"
Other equipment included in Isuzus Rodeo Denver Max LE package includes a load liner and an XTC hardtop which provides a secure cover over the loadbay. Inside, its a veritable treasure trove of technological titbits, at least by pick-up truck standards. Isuzu have fitted a Bluetooth kit plus SmartNav satellite navigation, with a touchscreen display and a years free membership. Theres also a years free subscription to the RACs Trackstar vehicle tracking service and three months free use of SafeSpeed.
On top of this, the Max LE features two tone leather seats along with the chrome front A-bar, chrome side steps, rear chrome bumper with light guards, and the brushed steel entry guards found on the Max. Plus the CD stereo, electric windows, leather steering wheel, air-conditioning and selectable 4x4 transmissions that feature in conventional Rodeo Denver models. Isuzus pitch for their Rodeo Denver Max LE is that it offers £6,000 worth of accessories for just over £2,000 in additional outlay. Its a deal at which buyers will find it hard to turn up their noses.
The vehicle is offered in double cab form only, equipped with a manual gearbox but just 100 units are available so interested parties should get their skates on. The only choice buyers need make is whether to opt for Astral Silver or Black Sapphire paintwork. Overall, the Isuzu Rodeo is one of the best new pick-ups you can get your hands on in the UK. Weve established that it has the visual impact to compete with fancy Dan lifestyle-orientated rivals but it also performs well when judged on practical criteria.
All the Doublecab derivatives and, therefore, all the Rodeo Max LE models, are powered by the same 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine and its a good one. Refinement is still a long way short of what youd expect from a modern diesel family car but by pick-up standards the engine is reasonably smooth and softly spoken. Thanks to Prodrive, it carries a big stick as well, in the form of a 153bhp maximum power output and 258lb/ft of torque at just 2,000rpm.
This kind of pulling power is a distinct advantage when travelling off road or hauling a trailer and the Rodeo has come in for specific praise for its towing prowess. Theres a payload limit of 1,055kg in the 4x4 versions but thats nowhere near the extent of the Rodeos load lugging potential. It will actually pull a braked trailer weighing up to a massive 3,000kg, so there will be room for the kitchen sink after all. Average fuel consumption, without a trailer hitched up you understand, is around 30mpg which isnt half bad for a vehicle of this size.
On the road the Rodeo is one of the more comfortable pick-ups to drive and its not bad round the corners but buyers will need to appreciate that heavy duty suspension and a high centre of gravity are not conducive to magic carpet ride quality and sportscar handling. The Rodeo is adept on the tarmac for a pick-up but still suffers from the suspension bounce and body roll that effect many of its contemporaries. In keeping up appearances on the outside, pick-up designers often let interior issues slip but the Rodeo, its claimed, has a car-like quality to its passenger compartment. This isnt too far from the truth, with a reasonable standard of materials used and an impressive level of specification.
Safety equipment is strong across the Rodeo range with ABS, EBD, two front airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and three-point belts throughout. £19,990 is the asking price for the Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE and, for that kind of money, theres a lot of metal contained within the package. The vehicle may have fallen a little behind newer models from Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi in terms of engineering and build quality but the Prodrive Performance Pack spices things up considerably and the specification really is something else. Isuzu still have one of the best pick-up trucks around.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
PICK-UP: Isuzu Rodeo Max special edition pick-up range
PRICE: £19,990 excluding VAT ENGINE: 3.0-litre turbodiesel (153bhp) PAYLOAD: 1,055kg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection door beams, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt pretensioners.
