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Amigo’s back, after a three-year hiatus, with more power, better styling and a funky attitude that should attract a legion of young buyers.

But Isuzu’s latest funmobile also is saddled with a dorky ad campaign, based on a dorky ad campaign from the ’60s: “Amigo, Amigo, it’s fun for a girl or a boy.”

Yuck. How does a self-respecting sport-utility vehicle get beyond something like that?

Especially one like the new Amigo, which has gone beyond its cutesy campus-cruiser stage. The original was an all-show, no-go piece of image marketing designed to tap into the success of Jeeplike vehicles, looking a lot tougher than it really was.

For ’98, the new Amigo can back up its image. For one thing, the strong V-6 engine does wonders for this stubby critter, giving it the power to accelerate, cruise and climb steep grades with the best of them.

And there’s no compromise, either: Whether equipped with the V-6 or a 130-horse dual-cam four, whether two- or four-wheel drive, the Amigo comes only with a five-speed stick shift.

The four-wheel-drive system is the real thing, too, with a sturdy transfer case and low-range gearing for extra muscle, all mounted on a box-section truck frame. Compare that with such minisport utes as Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Suzuki Sidekick, Kia Sportage or even Lexus RX300, all of which compromise off-highway prowess in favor of carlike driveability.

Amigo is just not as sophisticated as the competition. It drives very trucklike, with a bouncy ride and dicey cornering, leaning more toward the adventure side of the equation. Amigo’s road manners are most comparable to the Jeep Wrangler, though the suspension and handling are not as tight. On balance, the Amigo’s ride is not as rough as the Jeep’s.

Amigo may be lacking in highway charm, but it also feels rugged and macho and ready for action. Like the Wrangler, it’s also cool to be seen in.

In a morning spent assaulting steep, rocky trails north of Phoenix, Amigo showed lots of brawny muscle. With its short wheelbase, responsive rack-and-pinion steering and independent rear suspension, it’s also loads of fun to throw into curves or charge along narrow trails.

Really fun-to-drive is the main attraction here. OK, so it is fun for a girl or a boy. Sheesh.

The ragtop configuration, with a folding fabric top over the rear seat and a removable sunroof over the front, boosts the fun factor considerably. This is the perfect beach craft for San Diego or Rocky Point. Or maybe Hawaii?

That fabric top, though, is a real pain. To lower it, you must unzip the rear-side windows and the back window before you can fold it down. The tough part comes when you must erect the top and deal with the finger-bruising torture of replacing the two side windows.

It’s time-consuming enough that you think twice before lowering the top. Why is it, when just about everyone has a convertible top that will fold with the touch of a button or the flip of a wrist, that Isuz u soldiers on with this ’50s throwback?

Top up or down, the Amigo’s interior is roomy and pleasant, with a good-looking dashboard and comfortable seats. Those in the back can enjoy top-down driving without getting wind-whipped.

The only flaw in this short vehicle is luggage space, which is pretty skimpy behind the rear seat. If there are two of you, the back seat folds and can accommodate a decent amount of gear.

It’s good to see the little Amigo reborn with more style and muscle. And even with the V-6 and other improvements, the Amigo comes in around $20,000, less than an average sedan.

1998 Isuzu Amigo

Vehicle type: Four-passenger, two-door sport ute, rear/four-wheel drive. Base price: $19,350. Price as tested: $20,675. Engine: 3.2-liter V-6, 205 horsepower at 5,400 rpm, 214 pounds-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. Transmission: Five-speed manual. Curb weight: 3,675 pounds. Length: 168.0 inches. EPA fuel economy: 18 city, 21 highway. Highs: Fun to drive. Powerful engine. Off-road prowess. Lows: Dicey handling. Ragtop torture. Limited stowage.