1998 Isuzu Rodeo (Reaction) MotorWeek Retro

#ACwJ
This day's reupload is the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. A solid answer to the question "what else other than a Cherokee?"
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[@mrgurulittle7000]

I remember watching this but love watching it again. Since I was born till I was 5yrs old, we had a Isuzu Trooper. It was called the Isuzu Wizard in Japan, and our was a green one. Till this day my dad says it was the best car he’s ever owned. We had to trade it in for a minivan once my sister was born, but we lived that car.

[@robertallan4489]

WE liked your video Jon. As we recall you don't see them in the U.S. any longer because the brand packed up and left the States long ago. As for poor interiors while doing well overall Isuzu reminds us of the International Harvester brand. Do you remember that U.S. brand, Jon. Like Isuzu International Harvester's primary product was commercial trucks. But, they too offered consumer vehicles. And, like Isuzu their interiors were often spartan and cold. They are gone and so is Isuzu from the U.S. Looks like two similar companies employing the same strategy soon disappeared from the landscape. Thumbs Up, Jon.

[@doug6191]

5:43 - Windows that open separately from the hatch should be standard on ALL crossovers. 4Runners still have that, but...I can't think of another in that class.

[@doug6191]

15:57 - Also bring the Explorer, the S10 Blazer, the Jimmy, the Montero Sport, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (this is the more apt comparison, not the regular Cherokee). That segment was rich with competent off-road-ready SUVs. I miss those days. Now everything is a crossover, which...fine...but those are not SUVs. They're essentially AWD station wagons or (in the case of, say, a Traverse or Atlas) less useful minivans. They're not able to do the off-road tasks a Rodeo or its class could do.

[@doug6191]

7:38 - 🤨 Many Japanese brands had radios that looked like this. They were commonly single-DIN in size.

[@user-surly]

The Isuzu Trooper rollover controversy was fresh and being blown up in the media at the time. Remembering that in context and the comments about body roll and stability make a little more sense because as you alluded, criticizing an SUV's slalom-induced body roll is as appropriate as criticizing the limited off-road capabilities of a Cadillac Sedan de Ville.

[@doug6191]

3:57 - These have a great look. It was right in line with the 4Runner, Explorer, and Pathfinder of the day. The Cherokee was still using the same basic design from 1983. It was definitely less refined than the Rodeo. Its saving grace was the 4.0L and its well-established 4WD capability.

[@christopherconard2831]

You are correct, these were also sold as the first generation Passport. The original ones were textbook rebadging. The Isuzu markings were taken off and replaced with Honda. There were no other differences.

[@doug6191]

2:12 - Both generations of the Rodeo were sold as the Honda Passport.

[@doug6191]

11:34 - Amen, Jon. I don't know why they run these through the slalom and then complain that it's softly sprung. They never take a Corvette camping and complain about ground clearance or towing capacity. It's a ridiculous expectation. On the other hand, the buying market was increasingly using these as everyday family vehicles, so maybe it's fair to comment about its handling since it'll just be used like cars & minivans.

[@AllCarsReacts]

LOL! "While our new REI tent seems well built and had tons of storage nooks for our time in nature, we have to say the new Corvette really has no storage space to speak of and the constant bottoming-out and sticks grinding against the bottom of the car don't leave us feeling confident in it's ability as a long-term camping companion!" - CampingwithJon

[@erich84502b]

50% 2wd

[@johnnymason2460]

The Rodeo compared more to the midsize Jeep Grand Cherokee, not the compact Cherokee. Also, Honda got the Passport in 1994 based on the first generation Rodeo. This is the second generation Rodeo which also became the second generation Passport.

[@brentkiely657]

jon , that lighting needs an upgrade ... yellow green as the current lighting is not appealing. !!!!!!!!!! though maybe your skin tone is that colour because of your health issue ? best wishes for your health jon.

[@AllCarsReacts]

Okay. So this video is from years ago before I upgraded lighting and settings. If you like the current stuff (like my recent Honda-Nissan merger video) that's where it's come to from this. :) secondly, the health issue has nothing to do with my skin tone, just FYI. :)

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Ignoring the Suzuki remark...it looks like very much like a Nissan Pathfinder. Have to agree that Isuzu aren't into nvh & are the Outlet Shop of Japanese car makers. Isuzu's 90s slogan: "Just like Mitsubishi, but without the fun." 😂