Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up Range : WHEREFORE ART THOU RODEO?

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The Rodeo range gives Isuzu real impetus in the competitive pick-up segment. Steve Walker reportsâ€¦

There was a time when driving a pick-up truck was a little like riding a bull - think bumpy ride, unresponsive handling and a general lack of refinement. The emissions weren't great either. Today, the game has moved on, with the leading contenders turning in far more polished performances. None more so than Isuzu with its range of Rodeo pick-ups.

The original Isuzu Rodeo arrived on the scene at an opportune moment. The UK pick-up market was in the throes of a particularly vigorous growth spurt but none of the leading contenders were overly convincing. The new breed of pick-up buyer wouldn't settle for a no-frills commercial vehicle. They demanded the comfort and specification of a passenger car with the overblown, chrome spangled attitude of a monster truck. Up stepped the Isuzu Rodeo to answer the call with its powerful 3.0-litre diesel engine and serious road presence. But other manufacturers soon cottoned on and it wasn't long before the Rodeo was being eclipsed by other makes of pick-up. Isuzu had to respond - and that's what brings us to the current Rodeo range we examine here. Isuzu has a great reputation for producing diesel powerplants and the old 129bhp 3.0-litre unit that used to drive the range-topping derivatives was one of the strongest you could get in a UK market pick-up, if a little crude. No longer. Nowadays the range is powered two more sophisticated common-rail diesel engines.

"The Rodeo isn't short of road presence"

The DOHC 2.5-litre common-rail diesel unit features in the entry-level Denver 4x2 Single Cab and the Denver and Denver Max models. This unit produces 134bhp at 3,600rpm, torque of 217bhp at 1,800rpm and gets up to a top speed 109mph. The combined fuel consumption rate is 38.2mpg while its CO2 emission rate is 196g/km. The range-topping Denver Max LE is powered by the 3.0-litre common-rail diesel engine that gives an increased 161bhp. With the larger engine, there is a choice of manual or automatic transmission that gives 33.6 or 31.4mpg respectively. The 2.5-litre engine has a braked towing power of 2,500kg and the larger engine can tow up to 3000kg, ensuring you can haul pretty much anything you need in the toughest of conditions. All four models across the range employ a selectable 4x4 system that does away with the clunky lever next to the gear shifter as seen on some rivals in favour of a neat fascia-mounted switch. Pressing it at speeds up to 60mph swaps the transmission seamlessly between rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive modes. There's a limited slip differential to aid traction in 2WD mode and the rear axle has an integral snorkel for navigating deep water. Add this to the Rodeo's sturdy underbody protection and you have a highly capable off-road vehicle. Such ability in the rough stuff has tended to produce less that silky on-road ride and handling in pick-ups past but the Rodeo makes a valiant effort at smoothing out the rough edges. The independent front suspension set-up features an anti-roll bar and double acting gas-filled shock absorbers are used all round. The level of ride comfort is let down by the tough leaf-sprung live axle at the rear but it's this heavy-duty installation that ensures payloads of up to 1,075kg can be accommodated. Overall, the Isuzu Rodeo is a comfortable companion on the tarmac but models like Nissan's Navara and Toyota's Hilux are more successful in delivering a car-like feel in terms of ride and handling. Image isn't everything when it comes to pick-ups but it's more important here than with any other kind of commercial vehicle. The reason is the popularity of these trucks with self-employed tradespeople and company car users who need the tough practicality of a pick-up for work but also use them as leisure vehicles on weekends. The UK pick-up boom was a direct result of this kind of dual usage, a trend that was itself brought about the various tax breaks that the pick-up's commercial vehicle status affords. Isuzu are tilting at precisely this market with the Rodeo range now offering both single-cab and family-friendly double-cab bodystyles in the UK. The Rodeo isn't short of road presence with the towering grille and those large headlamps. It's an uncompromising frontage that's neatly finished with the fog lights set into the deep bumper and the slim bonnet scoop above to feed the intercooler. The vehicle's looks grow more extrovert as you ascend the range that starts with the standard Rodeo 4x2 single cab, and progresses through double-cab Rodeo Denver, Denver Max and Denver Max LE variants. The models get progressively more exotic detailing with extras like chrome side steps and brushed steel door entry-guards bolted on in the mid range before you reach the top LE version with its 18" shadow chrome alloys, optional touch-screen Sat-Nav with full DVD playback capability, leather trim and special mesh grille. At the very least, all Rodeos feature air-conditioning, electric windows, 16" alloys, keyless entry, a trip computer and a CD stereo with a slot to connect your iPod - not bad for a commercial vehicle. The latest Rodeo range has a tough job on to break into the upper echelons of the pick-up market but Isuzu have given it every chance. It's highly competitive in terms of its engine, which benefits greatly from some Prodrive tinkering on the up-spec models, and its off road ability. Ride and handling are slightly off the pace and the interior quality could be better with Isuzu's lack of passenger car know-how exposed in this area. The equipment levels are very generous though and this, allied to the tight pricing, could be the Rodeo's trump card. It's going to be a bumpy ride but you wouldn't bet against the Rodeo hanging on in there.

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
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection door beams, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt pretensioners.