Road Tests: Isuzu Rodeo

Question: 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. Modern 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 to its 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 turbo-diesels: 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 four-speed 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, air-con, 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.

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 around 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 by Toyota’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 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 from Truckman – 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 goods stashed all the way to 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.