1990 Isuzu Impulse XS | Retro Review

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The Impulse XS, with its muscular take on the flip-up-light, was a more aggressive looking alternative to the Geo Storm which shared the same platform.
Show 944 | Record Date 7-26-1990
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[@Gwym]

Those headlights look classy

[@kz1000ps]

For sure. They're understated yet aggressive without being ANGERY

[@roddydykes7053]

Too classy for Izuzu

[@850are2]

I agree . Looks great

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Looks like Nissan Gloria.

[@Keckegenkai]

looks like a bmw 7 series e32

[@matthew1973]

The 5 speed shifter was a joy till we ripped it out of its housing.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Every motorweek stick shift check has always been so coarse and agricultural!

[@gregorymarsh9504]

Exactly! What goof did they hire to YANK on the gear shifter in every car they reviewed?

[@watchreport]

I’m glad others feel the same way. I’m watching it thinking what the hell is he doing to that shifter!!

[@fiber9m]

Wonder if he yanks his shifter like that when he's alone 🤔 🤣🤣

[@depugre]

Came to the comments to make sure I wasn’t the only one.

[@kcindc5539]

I’m such a dork for how excited I get when they post these retro reviews.

[@kristophercook6053]

#Metoo

[@KootBear]

me too

[@gregorymarsh9504]

I'm a car enthusiasts to the point of an unhealthy obsession. And it is rare anymore that I come across a car I've never seen before, much less in person. I know of the Impulse, but not this particular early one. Very neat!

[@Newgrassrock]

Same

[@joskjj3625]

Your not alone

[@kirkpatrick84]

Dear MW: the styling is not a weakness! I thought the front end was so unique and classy on these. Honestly I don’t know that I’ve ever seen an Impulse of this generation in person!

[@grantmills4184]

Yeah I always thought these things were really tight looking, they’re so rare now I don’t even care about the looks lol

[@screenPhiles]

The styling is a weakness when the prior verison was not only gorgeous, but designed by Guigiaro. I have no idea why Izuzu turned it into such an ugly duckling.

[@jareknowak8712]

Design is still a weakness, bc the front end is not the whole car. But yes, front end is the best part.

[@screenPhiles]

@@jareknowak8712 Which isn't saying much. It's less an ugly car than a homely one.

[@jareknowak8712]

@@screenPhiles English is unfortunately not my native language, not sure what do You mean by "homely". There is something wrong with proportions in the rear section. As for me, car looks like the front and middle secton are taken from one car (this is the good part), and the rear part is from another. Rear axle is too far back. I really like the look of the front lights, i love and i miss round head lights in cars, but pop-up complication is not needed, imo. Older Impulse was much more well proportioned, and RWD.

[@smithsfan425]

It’s like an Oldsmobile and a 90’s bmw had a baby.

[@doug6191]

Yes, all three have taillights and paint. The resemblance is uncanny.

[@smithsfan425]

@Brian Lee I saw e39 headlights

[@brycejcox]

S-Class: Yo 7, where ya going we’re up next in pool? 7 Series: oh uh, I’m gonna walk this Cadillac home. S-class: bro you’re drunk, that’s a Cutlass.

[@humperdinckfangboner9749]

i was going to say a diamante and a saturn

[@giancarlolugo9586]

@@humperdinckfangboner9749 it looks like a Nissan sileighty and a Mitsubishi diamante had a baby

[@joshuacohn2004]

We had an Impulse donated to our high school ...we used to take it apart and put it back together ...it was brand new

[@Pau_Pau9]

I miss cars with names like these: Impulse

[@ricepony33]

ProTip™️ put the word an*l in front of every car name.

[@de-fault_de-fault]

I miss cars. Pretty soon it’ll be crossovers or trucks or nothing.

[@kowalski5599]

I miss cars, too. And names, now everything has a f$%@ing number.

[@mattycheeze4131]

@@de-fault_de-fault sometimes when I am lonely I will shave one leg so it feels like I’m sleeping with a woman 👩🏼

[@de-fault_de-fault]

@@kowalski5599 Yeah when numbers/strings of letters were the exception it was kinda cool. Now it's so common it's just boring. I saw an Acura Legend the other day and thought no one would ever have the audacity to slap a name like that on a car now.

[@albear972]

2:19 that guy thinks he's at the arcade playing Pac-Man.

[@gregorymarsh9504]

Honestly, who is this goof who absolutely YANKED on the gear shift in this short segment of every car they tested? Was it some inside joke to see if eventually one of the cars would have it's shifter snap off?

[@teflon-von4328]

He was definitely having a flashback 😆

[@wigletron2846]

Lol I thought he was trying to break it

[@fiber9m]

Wonder if he yanks his shifter like that when he's alone 🤔 😂🤣

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Guy from Best Motoring watching guy from Motorweek slam-shift through the gears: Pathetic

[@bwxmoto]

I remember getting to drive the generation before this- was something like an 88 maybe 89 Impulse Turbo. It felt pretty fast back then.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

If you take the AWD system out of the 2nd Generation Impulse Turbo, put it in a 1st Generation, and then swap the 4-cylinder with a 2JZ Turbo from a Toyota Supra, then you’ll have the Poor Man’s Audi Quattro.

[@smithsfan425]

Never seen this thing in my life.

[@nessuno5403]

Ditto!

[@KootBear]

same here

[@nessuno5403]

It's the second generation Isuzu Piazza (look on Wikipedia)

[@grantmills4184]

Same for this cowboy, where I live in the states these things are exceedingly rare now

[@bruceyung70]

It was twin car of Geo Storm back in the early 90’s. Isuzu version was more expensive than geo make. The engine was very buttery smooth and light feel of pedal made you feel as if you were on an more expensive car. The interior was very cavernous for a small car.

[@craigbass2359]

I bought a used 1990 Impulse in Apr 1994, and sold it in 2011. Great little car. Great handling. Definite head-turner, and was stopped and asked about it many times over the years I owned it.

[@LaytonKnightt]

I JUST saw one being driven the other day and thought to myself that it looked like an obscure, rare car I’d see on a Motortrend Retro Review.

[@tientrinh943]

Where

[@LaytonKnightt]

@@tientrinh943 South Florida. It was white and driven by an older man.

[@eddierools]

This is a car i've NEVER heard of......and weirdly? I really like the looks of it! I honestly want one!

[@theturtle2121]

If you wanted a four-door they also made the Isuzu stylus, it had optional Lotis engineered suspension too

[@eddierools]

@@thirdstar9255 Well that's a shame that they're so scarce, but I suppose that's what happens to cars from more obscure brands.

[@theturtle2121]

@@thirdstar9255 I haven’t seen an Isuzu stylus in years. I owned a black one in 2001, and also had a red Geo storm 🤣. They were fun cars for the time era

[@FPGT24]

I got a 91 XS for sale. Its a project. Ran and drove great when i parked it like 4 years ago but im sure it needs a shitload of work by now. Im in PA if anyone is interested...$500 its yours.

[@jasonchung4968]

My wife owns an Asuna Sunfire that she wants to sell. It's basically the '93 version of this car, and only has 40k miles.

[@FLJAMESFL]

I always liked this car, never knew the handling was by Lotus. Nice!

[@bikingD]

They sold these as Asuna Sunfire in Canada at Pontiac dealers exactly like this. Asuna was Canada's Pontiac Geo type division. Loved this car.

[@darwinmichel2087]

I like the Geo Storm sold by the boe tie divson the difference between the great north and the southern neighbor. What they did so Isuzu in the big city it was a smart move to create the Geo division to sell imports in smaller cities that would normally not look at imports.

[@bikingD]

@@darwinmichel2087 For us it was about dealer network. Chev and Pontiac would never be at the same dealer so Pontiac wanted a Geo division and got Asuna. Impulse was sold without changes as Sunfire, Tracker and Sun Runner, I mark as Sunburst. Lemans and Asuna SE.

[@bikingD]

@tjae92 That was actually sold as a Pontiac never got the Asuna badges but yes always remember the 3cyl Firefly's good little car.

[@bikingD]

@tjae92 For sure I had a Chevrolet Optra no one in the US knew what it was when I drove it down there. Also liked the Chevy Orlando which they never got either.

[@bikingD]

@tjae92 Yes was really strange because had power widows front roll up rear. Little trivia was also the Top Gear car but know as a Chevy Lacetti in England. Was fun though had a manual trans and could go pretty good.

[@MN12BIRD]

in retrospect the front end looks awesome to me!

[@jeffmorse645]

Miss the second tier Japanese makes we used to have back in the 80s and 90s. Isuzu, Daihatsu, Suzuki. More choice is always a good thing.

[@aaryeshg.6526]

Except they lacked sales and decided to stop doing it for US. When a car is available you guys didn't like them, when its gone for forever you guys want it back. 🙄 You guys have a Veloster N now, dont ruin the sales of them or else they'll stop making those too. 🤣

[@JSchroederee]

Seems like the Jimny would do well here in the states.

[@JW20236]

@@aaryeshg.6526 A few of them were screwed over by consumer reports, after their heavily biased reports, a lot of Japanese manufacturers saw sales plummet.

[@yasirhilmi6751]

@@JW20236 look like audi r8.= ISUZU R8.😆😆😆😆😆.

[@coscorrodrift]

@@aaryeshg.6526 i'm in the future, and have news 😂

[@vikinglord7545]

I had this exact same car in the same colour. I think it's an attractive little thing, and it was an absolute blast to drive. The gearbox was one of the best I've ever used, and there was more room for the driver and passenger than you would expect in such a small car. I'm 6' 2" and there was plenty of headroom and legroom. The only real negative to these cars that I experienced was the cheap metal and poor rustproofing. When mine started to go, it went quickly. The sills rotted out completely and unfortunately the car went to the junkyard with the mechanicals still in perfect running condition. They all rusted badly, and quickly disappeared off the streets. I haven't seen one of them in many, many years.

[@flyjarrett]

I had a Storm, Geo’s version of the Impulse. It was a fun little car.

[@thomas_2285]

2:19 Wow! Take it easy man. Is this supposed to be a torture test? hahaha

[@jamesnoble8205]

**shift push pull yank**

[@DarrenPersad]

Good Lordy, I haven’t seen one of these in absolute years! This would be a neat lil’ relic of the ‘90s to own. Good package and good styling, and very few around!

[@mrrogerstown2435]

i bought an Imark for $400 when I was a teen, then sold it for $100 3 years later (had rust issues)...really wish I kept it

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

I knew someone who had one, the turbocharged AWD version no less. He finally gave it up because parts were getting harder to come by, and when he did find parts, people wanted insane money for them.

[@jasonchung4968]

My wife owns a '93 Asuna Sunfire that she's selling. It's basically a better version of this car with only 40k miles.

[@thetreblerebel]

6800 rpm powerband is pretty gnarly!

[@rfaradiofreeamerica8392]

I covered the industry as a journalist back in the day. I can tell you real development work between GM, Lotus, and Isuzu on this car, and the Geo Storm was going on in the late 80s. Compared to a lot of sporty compacts, even the CRX.. these cars could hold their own. Good handling, fun, efficient sporty runabouts, but not quite sports cars. GM had "bean counters" that kept the budget as low as possible. With a few improvements , like a large turbo, and slightly bigger wheel/tire combo, these little light weights could have easily put out around 200 hp or more and competed against , or beat Integras , CRX/ Civic Si, MX3s, and even sports cars of its day ,but the Impulse and Storm didn't quite get there. Great Video post though.

[@retrocompaq5212]

superchips made a chip for the 1.6t and it was boosted up to 230hp

[@qmto]

Here's me spitting out my drink when they don't say the front end of this car is sexy... and again when they call the CRX (which was only 2 years old) dated. Both these cars are gorgeous and nearly timeless looking imo.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

Isuzu made far better cars than they were given credit for. The last Impulses and Styluses were pretty much top of their class in the early ‘90s. But the Stylus and Impulse didn’t get the marketing cash GM put into its Geo Storm platform mate, and when Isuzu got hit hard when the Japanese economic bubble popped, they couldn’t afford to make their own low-margin cars anymore. What a pity.

[@triggeredcat120]

Totally digging the styling of this car.

[@lab1042]

Oh man, I tried to buy one of these new back in early 1991. Unfortunately I was only 18 and had zero credit history. Even with $4500 down and a full-time job (Army) I couldn't get financing.

[@jackjohnson7396]

Veteran 🇺🇸 👍

[@thewiseguy3529]

You can totally tell Isuzu helped GM with Saturn this looks just like a Saturn inside

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

Geo storm

[@thewiseguy3529]

@@TraveladvRajanSRai exactly right, the geo storm was based off this Isuzu Impulse. Basically the same car, just rebadged as Geo. However, it was still a different car.

[@s3trios]

The turbo charged awd model is the one you want, good luck finding one though.

[@operator91210]

I'd like to think there's one sole example of this somewhere out there, it could be in a barn, a container or even hiding in plain slight in a retirement home parking lot. There's always one and that's okay if we never find it because the owner of that car knows what it is and that's what counts. Better that way than living a life of misery locked in a rich man's car collection.

[@dude...are-you-sure]

The RS turbo awd was one of my favorite hot hatch of that era.

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

Best truck we ever owned was a 70’s Isuzu diesel. Little 3 cylinder if I recall. Not much power but it got well over 40 mpg and lasted well over 300,000 miles. It was a salt belt truck so the frame ended up rusting out, I’m sure the engine still runs. Kinda reminds me of our ‘91 Ram Cummins. Perfect engine with terrible everything else

[@davidaubin3902]

3:45 John: IT’S FRONT END IS IN THE 80’S, WHILE ITS REAR END IS IN THE 90’S. LOL

[@chrisSVT]

I used to own the RS version of this (AWD Turbo). Hopefully you can upload a video of that one!!! Edit: Or a video of the Mazda 323 GTX!

[@stevenr6279]

They engine bay looks great. The valve cover and the other aluminum bits are eye catching.

[@landyachtfan79]

And now, something for the Impulse buyer/shopper!!!!!

[@jameskirk1161]

I remember watching Motor Week as a child in the early 2000s, now I watch them on youtube :)

[@aaronangell8569]

I own a 91 Isuzu impulse xs. I’m glad to see a video finally appreciates it

[@rightlanehog3151]

After 40 years of driving I must be considered "uninitiated" as I have a strong impulse to keep all four wheels on the pavement at all times.

[@aaronredbaron]

I guess I have watched a few of these now, I see a new vid pop up and I can hear that tune playing in my head before I click.

[@yep-that-happened]

2:19 MUST... DESTROY...SHIFT....LINKAGE!

[@tpolerex7282]

😂 yeah, between that and the notoriously aggressive switch demonstrations of the Motor Week staff it’s a wonder that any car got out of there intact. That “kid” (at the time) was the manhandling model 😆

[@joannaatkins822]

How have I never heard of nor seen this car before? I love it!

[@KenanTurkiye]

I was never aware such a Isuzu mode existed, has a european-italian maserati-alfa romeo flair, not a bad design on certain angles. Ahh the good old days.

[@McBeamer94]

It's not only a feeling, the Impulse was indeed pinned by Italdesign.

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@McBeamer94 ...ahhh, thank you for that insight! Have a nice day. :)

[@Wesley_C]

That’s what I had previously of these old cars like to see, I like Retro Reviews.

[@arpadkal]

Where is David Leisure when you need him.

[@screenPhiles]

Somebody remembers "Joe Izuzu!"

[@arpadkal]

​@@screenPhiles Whenever I see David Leisure on TV, I say, 'hey there is Joe Isuzu!' I have to give Isuzu (or more like their marketing firm) credit they did an awesome job with him in their marketing campaigns.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

"I swear on my mother's grave the quality of this Isuzu!" phone rings "Hello? Oh, hi Mom!"

[@abrunette1]

This car was introduced to the Canadian market in 1993 as the Asüna Sunfire

[@2steaksandwiches665]

In haven’t seen this car in 20 plus years. Pretty cool then and even cooler now.

[@bghoody5665]

I used to work at a GM dealership that also sold Isuzu products including this one. I remember thinking it was a pretty interesting car, but I was most impressed by the "Handling By Lotus" badge. They weren't a big seller but honestly I think that was at least partially due to bias from the salesmen - they just didn't bother trying to sell them.

[@MrCarGuy]

I love all the "handling by Lotus" cars.

[@man_on_wheelz]

I REALLY like the looks of this car, and the review actually made me like the car more, despite the shaming of it's styling. I was born in 1989, why have I never seen this car before? Now I want one! Looks incredibly easy to work on too!

[@jasonchung4968]

My wife actually owns an Asuna Sunfire and is looking to sell it. It's basically the '93 version of this car.

[@klasseact6663]

The front end looks awesone😎

[@markhealey9409]

Always loved the look of these! They were sold as Isuzu Piazzas here in Europe,& as Holden Piazzas in Australia & New Zealand....as well as Geo Storms in The United States & Canada,but with slightly different styling.

[@TheyCallMeSiku]

I'm in love with mine! Fun lil guy

[@sailordave1000]

Isuzu made some unique and crazy styled cars. Today they make commercial grade deliver vehicles

[@M85Iroc]

This was and still is a very cool looking car. Sad they just seemed to have been forgotten and just disappeared

[@brainc0la-_-]

It is actually pretty neat looking. I'm impressed.

[@Bigj-bf4mn]

Pretty cool lookin rig.. cool how lotus helped with it

[@nlpnt]

I just dug up one of my 1/25 scale Geo Storm promo models (I have 2 - one early and one late). Always thought of getting a third to do an Impulse.

[@bradfromthevalley]

i used to be interested in these they were cheap, yet looked sporty and the suspension by lotus was a good selling point, really looked like a fun car and i like the headlights and front end. its like a precursor to the coolness of a subaru.

[@davidlgti1]

Wanted one of these soooooo bad back then. Still do. :-)

[@dyingbreed7740]

I almost bought one of these back in 2000. Always loved Isuzu’s, especially the ones with lotus suspensions. This is the same turbo mill they put in the Elan

[@ianrodriguez4652]

I miss you Isuzu 😭

[@WatchfulListener]

In 7 minutes, you know if you would buy the car or not. Perfect review.

[@rapidshot3033]

These cars look awesome

[@mr.boostang2064]

Never seen and never heard of this car, yet its looks have aged quite well and its performance is respectable especially when you consider my 2016 Corolla with 200cc more of displacement, vvti only makes 2hp more and has the same 0-60

[@WSKRBSCT]

The inside rear wheel lifting was a trademark of some VW cars back then. It imbued the cars with something few FWD cars have: oversteer. I had a VW Scirocco 16V back in the mid-'80s. I dominated guys I knew who had 5.0 Capris and Mustang GTs because I used that to my advantage around corners after school.

[@DJ-tk8nk]

What a rad looking car. Weird I’ve never heard of it until now.

[@vadim9342]

Looks like a budget 8 series. That's why I loved these things.

[@MandusahRamirez]

Literally looks nothing like it lol

[@vadim9342]

@@MandusahRamirez The front end at least lol

[@mattw8332]

Nice car! We didn't get this model in the UK (shame) but we did get the 1986 Piazza coupé along with the Trooper 4x4.

[@leleedler]

Sometimes these come up on Craigslists from far away and my yearn for this styling shows. Pretty damn cool looking little car.

[@AA-rc8sm]

I'm looking for this car for my 90s JDM collection and I'm glad it got uploaded recently. Keep the beaut alive. Just look at that rear section from the diagonal angle. Isn't that captivating?! 90s fastback coupes are true beauties/beasts. Once I buy one I won't sell it until I'm too old to drive. Then I will donate it to the auto museum so people in the future can appreciate the same beauty forever. It's something that's too underrated and shouldn't be crushed into crap metal. Why don't they cherish it like a Skyline or Chevelle? It deserves better care. Maybe I've just gone nuts but I mean it. I ain't no kidding you lil fuckers. I'm so in love with this car.

[@drawingablankesq]

The 1991 isuzu impulse rs is my top dream car. Attractive styling, turbocharged engine, all wheel drive, and lotus tuned suspension. I would give almost anything for that car.

[@RickJohnson]

He didn't even bother to rip on the lack of a voltmeter or oil pressure gauge! I remember how badly I wanted one of these as a kid (I was 14 when they came out though).

[@yamahama9650]

I had a 92 isuzu pickup 20 years ago. No power steering, no power windows or locks, no ac. Good engine good 5sp transmission, let's go. Where did this company go wrong. I miss that little truck.

[@dietersmythe9649]

That person obviously doesn’t drive a stick regularly!!!

[@TheHuskyGT]

It makes me cringe. He does that to every car.

[@jamesnoble8205]

He comes across like a 5 year old pretending to drive daddy's parked car while making "VROOM" noises

[@mootpoint7053]

Just lol. Had one for about a month. I bought a beater in 2003 for about $500. It never did run right. But I thought it was so unique and cool! _"Handling by Lotus"_ Just love that!

[@dorianmckoy6898]

I like the front end styling, its the back that is kind of.....😬😬

[@corrodesthefilm]

Not sure I've ever seen one of these, it looks great. Also it revs to almost 8 grand, nice.

[@dawge30]

I miss Isuzu. My Mom and Dad had a '94 Trooper, and a '95 Trooper LS. I did admire their little cars, though... Isuzu, Mitsubishi (pre 2010s), quirky Honda; I miss them. We still have Mazda, though. Enjoy it while we got it...

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Please a review of the 94 Galant!

[@MY-pj8cd]

Growing up in the Caribbean, Isuzu cars once reigned, with the Isuzu gemini and Isuzu aska. They were dependable diesel cars.

[@Microjoey02]

I hate being younger and missing cool cars like this. 👍🏼

[@TEXHO3OHA]

Geo Storm GSi. My brother bought one in the end of 90's. Drove it to Key West from Philly and back 4 times. Back then was looking for CRX but got Storm instead 😀

[@dougsmith9571]

I remember seeing a black one fully optioned one like this new, in January 1990 at the Annual Autoshow in VA Beach. It looked good, people stood in line to check it out , but not an improvement over the previous gen. A small step back imho.

[@happy_camper]

Such an awesome car.

[@777jones]

the people who made this car deserve hugs

[@thewiseguy3529]

Looks like what kia would have been doing had they been around back then. THIS CAR IS WAYYYYYY AHEAD OF ITS TIME IN STYLING 😍 I AM IN ABSOLUTE LOVE WITH THIS CAR

[@TopSecretVid]

I liked this car when it came out!!

[@joskjj3625]

I forgot that Isuzu made cars, future generations are probably going to look at future retro reviews on fusions,Taurus’s,Malibu’s,impalas exe they also will be surprised “wow I never knew Ford and gm made cars”

[@theKevronHarris]

I miss cars with these nice names such as Impulse and Stylus.

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

I miss Isuzu releasing cars like this, now they're just focusing on trucks and buses since they stopped making the long-standing Panther minivan.

[@sannissansanjuan5074]

I seen only once a Impulse RS Turbo AWD back in 1991

[@car-lo]

I want to buy one now.... unique looking

[@TzadikTheManic]

Have always found the front of the car very attractive but not so much the rear. The headlight configuration is especially cool

[@positively_broad_st3780]

Love the lights - that's about it...

[@MPi-KM]

Last time I saw one of those was 25+ years ago. It was the Canadian Asuna Sunfire version. Weird thing was it was in Florida.

[@thespiritof76.]

@Leon Serya Not so weird. Unfortunately we get a lot of canucks coming down to America to visit or reside in the States. I wished they'd stay home...

[@jasonchung4968]

My wife has a '93 Asuna Sunfire with the Lotus handling and under 100k miles, but she's looking to sell it soon due to the factory replacement parts being near impossible to find now.

[@subielife4life]

Omg 😱 my secret crush!! Turbo awd and manual!! On a small light car!!!

[@chrislara4134]

A bit of that intimidating look front end👍

[@MandusahRamirez]

That inside rear wheel lift is a Volkswagen Characteristic so it’s definitely a good thing

[@povking1460]

Stiff chassis!

[@vaughnkopacz2196]

just love the front end of this car- it aged to todays standards quite well