2004 Isuzu Rodeo New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo?
Isuzu kills the standard 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine, making a hearty 3.2-liter V6 standard in the 2004 Rodeo. Also gone for 2004 is the two-door Isuzu Rodeo Sport. A new 3.5-liter direct injection gasoline V6 engine making 250 horsepower and 246 lb.-ft. of torque is optional, and several option packages gain additional features. New option packages include a Sound package and a Color-Keyed package. The trailer hitch design has been revised, the “power” mode for the automatic transmission has been dropped and the “winter” mode for 2WD Rodeos has vanished. Other deletions for 2004 include the rear assist grip coat hook and the side cargo net hooks in the luggage compartment. Two new colors debut and the Isuzu badge on the tailgate is larger.

Advantages of the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo:

• Ruggedly constructed for real off-roading
• Roomy and comfortable back seat
• Impressive powertrain warranty and roadside assistance program
• Powerful direct injection V6 engine option

Objections to the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo:

• Numb steering
• Sloppy on-pavement handling
• Uncomfortable front seats

Editor's Advice:
Now in its seventh year without a significant design change, the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo stacks up poorly against the competition in all areas except its powertrain warranty. Unlike key competitors, Isuzu has not found a way to make the Rodeo more palatable for paved-road travel without losing its baked-in off-roading capability, and the result has been dwindling sales. Despite the addition of a direct injection V6 engine and a shuffling of equipment packages, little about the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo makes a compelling argument for purchase.