Nov. 24, 2006
ON THE ROAD: Isuzu Ascender Offers a Lot, But Brand is Troubled by Low
Sales, Limited Dealerships
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
These days, it's hard to find an attractive, well-equipped, mid-size
sport
utility vehicle for under $30,000.
But the Isuzu Ascender, at a base price of $25,959, definitely fits the
bill.
Built on the same platform as the GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Trail Blazer at
the
General Motors plant in Moraine, Ohio, the Ascender is a small player
in the
crowded SUV market.
Indeed, Isuzu has been a vanishing presence in the U.S. for years. It
would
be no great surprise to see the brand go the way of Daihatsu some day.
In a year when even tiny rival Suzuki is celebrating stronger sales,
Isuzu
is down sharply, with 4,412 units sold through October, compared to
10,596
for the first 10 months of 2005. Korean rival Hyundai sold nearly three
times more cars and trucks in October than Isuzu sold in all of 2005.
The other challenge Isuzu faces is its commitment to thirsty SUVs in a
market still suffering the recent trauma of $3 per gallon gas.
Under intense pressure from the South Korean brands Hyundai and Kia,
Isuzu
needs to underprice the competition to remain a player in North
America.
Thus, hardship for the seller represents an opportunity for the buyer.
Were
I in the market for a five-passenger SUV, I would take a very good look
at
the Ascender.
In its 2007 regalia, the Isuzu is a remarkably attractive vehicle
inside and
out. With sharper angles than many of its windswept rivals, the
Ascender
looks more like a Land Rover or Jeep Grand Cherokee than, say, the BMW
X5.
Sold in rear or 4-wheel-drive, Ascender comes in S or LS trim.
Isuzu priced '07 models the same as the 2006 versions. The rear-drive
Ascender begins at $25,959, while the 4-wheel-drive version goes for
$27,959.
Even the rear-drive version's fuel economy is less than thrilling at 16
miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway for an estimated
annual
fuel cost of $2,210. If you think that's bad, Isuzu has a trophy they
want
to show you: IntelliChoice's "TopWinner" award for lowest fuel cost and
lowest operating cost for the 2006 model.
That fuel feeds a 4.2-liter, 291-horsepower, 6-cylinder aluminum engine
with
double overhead cams. The torque flows through a four-speed automatic
transmission that does an excellent job of smoothing the shift points.
Some critics have faulted the Ascender for a somewhat spongy ride. But
I
found that not to be the case at all. The suspension seemed stiff
enough for
great control but not at all harsh like some trucks.
Acceleration was brisk, and I had to keep my eye on the speedometer at
highway cruising speeds because the power train obviously wanted a
workout.
Of course, this was with the Ascender unladen.
The biggest change in the 2007 model is the elimination of the
seven-passenger version that matched up against the Dodge Durango.
Otherwise, the functional and cosmetic changes are few.
Most attractive among the new features is the tire pressure monitoring
system that alerts you to a potential flat. This feature is
particularly apt
in a vehicle designed for off-road travel.
Gone is the OnStar communication option that is common on GM vehicles.
Cosmetically, the Ascender gains six-spoke alloy wheels as standard
equipment. New colors include Bering Blue Metallic and Storm Gray
Metallic.
StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control was added as a standard
feature on
the 2006 Ascender. The StabiliTrak combines anti-lock brake, traction
control and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain
directional control when road conditions get dicey or icy.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety considers stability control
systems such as StabiliTrak so important to passenger safety that the
organization has proposed making it mandatory by 2012.
The institute estimates that electronic stability control could prevent
up
to 10,000 fatal crashes per year.
Ascender also offers an attractive warranty program that covers the
power
train for seven years or 75,000 miles. That's in addition to Isuzu's
three-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/100,000-mile perforation from
corrosion warranties.
That's not quite as generous as Hyundai's, however, which provides a
five-year or 60,000 mile basic warranty and drive train protection for
10
years or 100,000 miles.
WHAT'S NEW: Tire-pressure monitoring system, new colors,
seven-passenger
version gone.
PLUSES: Style, performance, standard equipment.
MINUSES: Rear-seat headroom, fuel economy, limited dealerships.
BOTTOM LINE: Good deal, troubled brand.
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News
Service.
