Isuzu i-Series Review

2008 Isuzu i-Series i-290 S Extended Cab

Isuzu who? Though this Japanese company no longer sells cars or trucks of its own design in the North American market, it has stayed alive here by engaging in partnerships with other major manufacturers. The Isuzu i-Series pickup truck is an example of a production deal with General Motors. It is essentially a re-skinned version of the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. There are some variations between the models in trims and options, but all come as extended-cab or crew-cab pickups and share the same mechanical hardware.

Unfortunately, the GM trucks are not the best choices for "badge engineering." Though decently engineered and value-priced, the Isuzu i-Series is outclassed by more refined choices in the compact/midsize pickup segment such as the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

Current Isuzu i-Series

The Isuzu i-Series is available as the i-290 or the i-370. The i-290 is available as an extended-cab or crew-cab pickup truck while the i-370 comes as a crew cab only. The extended-cab body style offers a 6-foot cargo bed and small reverse-opening rear doors. There are miniscule rear seats in the extended cab, but if you think of them more as storage space, you won't be disappointed.

The larger crew-cab model has a reduced 5-foot cargo bed, but more rear-seat room and four doors. The rear bench seat is big enough for three adults and folds down in a 60/40 split. Extended-cab models come with rear-wheel drive only. For the i-370 crew cab, four-wheel drive is optional.

Isuzu vehicles have not traditionally been known for luxury and the i-Series does nothing to change that impression. Interior design, materials and build quality are hit and miss (and mostly on the miss side). There are two trim levels for the i-290 (S and LS) and just the LS trim for the i-370. The base i-290 S trim is a bare-bones number. It's got air-conditioning, cruise control and little else. The LS trims add bucket seats, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo, but you have to order the Limited package available on LS models to get a six-CD changer and a locking rear differential.

The engine in the i-290 is a 185-horsepower 2.9-liter four-cylinder. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard, while a four-speed automatic is available as an option. The i-370 trims come with a 242-hp 3.7-liter five-cylinder, and a four-speed automatic transmission is standard.

In road tests, we found the Isuzu i-Series to be a reasonably refined ride all around. It is quite comfortable, and there is some unexpected agility. However, the performance is modest compared to brawnier rivals. Its selection of inline engines don't offer much grunt or towing ability. In that regard, the i-Series falls short of more evolved compact and midsize pickup trucks. A V6 option would help a lot in this regard.

Past Isuzu -Series models

The Isuzu i-Series debuted for the 2006 model year. The '06 i-Series came in three trims: an i-350 LS crew cab, an i-280 S extended cab and an i-280 LS extended cab.

The two engines offered for that first year were a 175-hp 2.8-liter four-cylinder (in the i-280) and a 220-hp 3.5-liter five-cylinder (in the i-350).

SELECT A SPECIFIC ISUZU I-SERIES MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.