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BUCKI NG B R O NCO
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...or, to be more accurate, 'sure-footed woRhorsd, because the Isuzu Rodeo pickup elegantly combines style with substance. It's productive, too.
uestion: in the world of commercial vehicles can the words "functional", "driveable" and "attractive" live happily side by side? Most hauliers would reply: "Not bloody likely!" and with good reason.If you want something that's going to attract attention you'd probably be better off wearing a dress. Modem light commercials might be a lot easier to drive than your dad's Cortina but that shouldn't distract you from their core role.
Throw the gear in, slam the door harder than is required, over-rev the engine, treat it like an unwanted guest and it will still (generally) start first time, hold the road and make light of carrying heavy loads. But since the CM test team doesn't get out much it's this new tagging rule when we take delivery of a flashy 4x4 that's keen to earn its workhorse stripes then, like Peter Stringfellow meeting Jordan, we're interested.
The 4x4 category has steadily gained momentum over the last few years, partly down to company-car tax concessions but also due toils ability to transcend its commercial roots and end up as a cross between a workhorse and a fashion icon. Well that's the theory, anyway.
Judging by its latest pickup, the Rodeo, Isuzu is well aware of these conflicting goals. Following its launch last year the Rodeo initially seemed to fit neatly into the generic pickup category that includes the market leading Mitsubishi L200, the Toyota Hilux and Nissan's Navara, and that was pretty much that. But then we heard rumours of 'decent drive' and 'practical' so it was time to get written permission and leave the building.
It's available in single and twin-cab form with a choice of two direct-injection turbodiesels: a 2.5-litre producing 100hp available on both models and a common-rail 3.0-litre turbo-diesel which is only available on the twin-cab.And with that extra 500cc you also get a bit more power 130hp at 3,800rpm with a strong 280Nm of torque at a useful 1,600rpm.Transmission is either a five-speed manual (as fitted to our test vehicle) or a fourspeed automatic.
Standard equipment includes ABS with EBD, CD player and driver and passenger airbags. The Denver spec, as featured on the test vehicle, also gets you alloy wheels, aircon, leather steering wheel and electric windows. Prices start at £11,357 (ex-VAT) for the 4x2 single-cab and tops out at £17,984 (ex-VAT) for the Denver Max automatic. Isuzu is looking to shift 3,500 Rodeos in the UK; it identifies key customers as public utilities companies, farmers and the construction industry.
Productivity
With a 3.0-litre engine under the bonnet the Rodeo certainly offers plenty of power but does that have any detrimental effect on fuel economy? Well the reality is not really — a laden run round the CM Kent test route produced 30.9mpg. A credible figure, not outrageous by any means but with a payload of over a tonne it's not to be sniffed at.True, it's somewhat eclipsed by the Nissan Navara's 31.8mpg and put firmly in its place byToyota's Hilux with 36.3mpg. But bear in mind that these are both of the 2.5-litre variety.Things improved slightly with an unladen run:the Rodeo averaged 32.6mpg,which was a shade better than the Mitsubishi's 30.0mpg but a touch behind the Nissan's 35.0mpg.
With a payload of 1.055kg the Rodeo can be counted on as a decent load-lugger and this particular example came with a glazed Aerotop load cover fromTruckrnan — yours for£1,756. This popular extra keeps your goods protected from the elements and secure (well more than they are in an open pickup bed — it's by no means Fort Knox). It also, adds a dash of style to the overall package, but at the same time it does restrict loading height, so be warned.
Gaining access requires opening the lockable Aerotop cover and dropping down the tailgate. The load area itself is well designed and completely flat except for the slightly protruding wheelarches. Crawling is required if you want to get to goods stashed all the way at the front —an inevitable side effect of the load cover —but it doesn't dramatically hinder load access. And protecting the load floor is an optional plastic liner that protects the metal surface against bangs and scrapes.
Also working in its favour, especially for a vehicle of this type, is the servicing intervals which are every 12,000 miles, a surprisingly high figure that reflects the Rodeo's modern design. If it all goes belly up the three-year/60,000-mile warranty should help ease the pain.
On the road
While the phrase "duck to water" cannot be applied to pickups when it comes to handling the asphalt (their priorities lie elsewhere) in this category the Rodeo certainly shines due to its overall stability that puts several of its rivals to shame. "Composed" is the key word: this means a firm but compliant chassis that produces little lurch through the comers or bouncing suspension over undulations. Of course neither has been banished outright—it needs a degree of care to get over the rough bits —but it adds up to a controllable package. When pushed it provides adequate notice that you need to back off and even in wet conditions, a potentially apocalyptic scenario with these machines, it avoids those tail-out near-death experiences. Steering is firm and precise, again not generally a great strength in this sector, and combined with a surprisingly tight turning circle makes this a commendably manoeuvrable vehicle. Motorway and A-road work provides further proof of a composed chassis:cross winds provide little interference.
That 3.0-litre turbo-diesel provides plenty of torque in any circumstance so hill work is despatched with minimum fuss, avoiding the need to rev the pants off it. One example of this was the unladen run up Titsey Hill which was completed in fourth without a murmur. Its a smooth operator too; once warm it fades into the background, only revealing itself when pushed.Also aiding the cause is a manual transmission that allows you to slip through the gears without giving the feeling that it's lubricated with gravel, and the gates are close for quick shifting.
But enough of the niceties— if this machine doesn't produce the goods off-road we might as well pack up and go home. Luckily it digs in when the going gets tough. Select the relevant 4x4 setting (high can be engaged at speeds up to 60mph) and the Rodeo climbs through. over and up without as much as a whimper. Isuzu claims its chassis is exceptionally stiff with a cross-member at the rear to increase torsional rigidity and spread the payload more evenly We're not inclined to disagree as it does feel very 'together' on the rough stuff.Yet again, it's all down to that three-litre engine.The torque characteristics allow you to relax in the knowledge that there's enough to get you over that unfeasibly steep ridge.
Cab comfort
The Rodeo's cabin is not a bad place to be with its bright, light grey colour scheme that lifts the overall mood. Mind you, as cosy as it initially seems you can't help thinking that in design terms you're sat inside a I0-year-old Honda Accord.With its chessboard pattern velour seat and door trim straight out the Japanese fabric book it certainly gives the feeling of yesteryear saloon.
This anachronistic feeling is reinforced by the design of the dashboard, which is functional enough in its layout but a little dated for what's meant to be a modern machine.
Isuzu has made much of the overall 'car-like' design of its machine and it's mostly justified but if it wanted bonus points it could have been revolutionary in its cabin. Unfortunately it's gone with the safe, if practical, option. All the major controls are where you'd expect them to be and the dials are easy to read with major switches mounted readily to hand.This includes the 4x4 function, which is mounted centrally on the dashboard instead of the traditional stick operation.
Achieving a decent driving position is hampered by the steering wheel that only adjusts for rake, while the driver's seatthough admittedly nicely sprung — only moves fore and aft. But that said even for a lanky (six-foot-plus) driver there's little cause for concern. On the storage front the Rodeo provides door bins (on the thin side though they do incorporate bottle holders) and two central cupholders.
When it comes to passengers the twin-cab option provides enough room for your work mates; three will go into the rear but don't expect saloon comfort. It does provide above average space for the class though, and the rear seats are not too upright to feel uncomfortable, helping to maintain a happy cabin. •