EDMUNDS.COM 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Capable, roomy and packing optional V8 power, this is Isuzu''s best truck.
Pros
Strong six- or eight-cylinder engines, simple interior design, plenty of passenger and cargo room.
Cons
Spongy suspension, numb steering, low-grade interior materials, odd exterior proportions.
What''s New for 2004
A smaller, five-passenger version joins the lineup. The bigger Ascender is pretty much the same as last year, though Isuzu has added a bit of content and fiddled with the option packages. On base 2WD S models, the formerly standard keyless entry and side airbags are now optional. LS models now have a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard and leather seating, formerly exclusive to the Limited trim, can be ordered as an option. For the Limited, driver-adjustable pedals are new this year.
Overview
Introduction:
As automakers go, Isuzu has been in a rather deep rut. Americans are buying more trucks and SUVs than ever before, yet, Isuzu, a company that sells only SUVs in America, has had disappointing sales. The reason? A lack of money for both new product investment and marketing. So who is Isuzu going to call? Batman? The International Monetary Fund? Or how about General Motors? Yep, GM. Thanks to a partnership between the two companies, Isuzu now has its best offering, the Ascender. Introduced just last year, it comes in two lengths, seating for up to seven passengers, many standard features and optional V8 power. The Ascender is actually a reskinned GMC Envoy. The overall body shape is identical, though it does have slightly different styling front and rear, including a different front grille, restyled front and rear bumpers, new headlights and taillights and different 17-inch wheels. The five-passenger model is equivalent to the regular Envoy, while the seven-passenger model is modeled on the Envoy XL. To achieve its seven-person capacity, the extended-length Ascender offers a third-row seat that, according to Isuzu, can comfortably accommodate two 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound adult males. Fold the second- and third-row seats flat, and the bigger Ascender really shows its advantage, offering up to 100 cubic feet of cargo space -- that''s almost 20 cubic feet more than a seven-passenger Explorer. The Ascender certainly one-ups the competition when it comes to seven-passenger comfort and overall cargo capacity. Combined with the powerful engines, it makes quite a case for itself in this hard-fought segment. In most areas, the Ascender matches up favorably. But as it''s pretty much the same truck as the Envoy and Envoy XL, we suggest comparison shopping between these vehicles, paying particular attention to final price and warranties.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Equipment levels are pretty much the same for the five-passenger and seven-passenger versions of the four-door Ascender. Buyers can choose between three trim levels: base S, midlevel LS and highline Limited. Two-wheel-drive S models include standard features such as power windows and locks, and dual-zone climate control with rear-seat climate controls. Select the Preferred Equipment Package to pick up power-heated mirrors, a power driver seat, keyless entry and side airbags, or order a four-wheel-drive S model to get them standard. Midgrade LS models get all of the above, plus 17-inch wheels, a power moonroof, automatic climate control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, an in-dash six-disc CD changer, a power front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, OnStar and rear-seat audio controls. The Limited includes upgraded exterior mirrors, running boards, automatic wipers, leather seating, heated front seats, driver-adjustable pedals (in the seven-passenger version) and a premium Bose audio system.
Powertrains and Performance:
Bracing horsepower comes via the sport-ute''s 4.2-liter inline six. Rated at 275 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, this engine outmuscles many of its competitors'' V8s, let alone their V6 offerings. For LS and Limited versions of the seven-passenger Ascender, a brawny 5.3-liter V8 is also available. It generates 290 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission. Both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations are available. With the optional V8, the Ascender is able to tow 7,200 pounds when properly equipped.
Safety:
Side airbags for front passengers are standard on LS and Limited models and optional on the S. All Ascenders have standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes and three-point seatbelts at all seating positions. Two-wheel-drive LS and Limited models have a traction control system. Crash tests of the Ascender''s five-passenger Envoy twin yielded three out of five stars for frontal impact protection and a perfect five stars for side impacts (when equipped with side airbags). The IIHS rated the Envoy "Marginal" in frontal offset crash testing.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
This year''s "smaller" Ascender should appeal to those people not needing a full three rows of seating. Interior materials and detailing are similar to those of the Envoy, which is to say below average, though the Limited trim adds leather and wood trim. Should you need to haul stuff, the big Ascender has 22.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat. With the second- and third-row seats lowered, it has 100 cubic feet of capacity, considerably more than most midsize SUVs.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The standard 4.2-liter is impressive enough on its own, so there''s no going wrong with either of the Isuzu''s engine options. Unfortunately, the suspension isn''t quite so competent, as it tends to feel overly soft when cornering and rough in off-road situations. Less enthusiastic driving generates a smooth, comfortable ride, but overall, we consider the driving dynamics of the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia superior in most respects.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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