Our view: 2003 Isuzu Ascender

You’re entitled to do a double-take the first time you catch Isuzu’s all- new flagship vehicle climbing the rock pile that is the sport utility landscape.

Yes, the all-new Ascender will look familiar. Yes, this seven-passenger SUV will be a carbon copy of the long-wheelbase GMC Envoy and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, two of General Motors Corp.’s powerful and successful offspring.

And yes, that will be an Isuzu Trooper you’ll see marching off into the distance. When Isuzu wanted to make news this year, apparently it really wanted to rewrite headlines. Just when you thought the fun, quirky Aerio was just enough of a pocket rocket to put Isuzu on the map with the buying public, along comes a whole new way to traverse the globe. Say goodbye to the Trooper; say hello to Isuzu’s biggest, most luxurious SUV ever.

First unveiled at the New York Auto Show last year, the Ascender might be a different climb to the top, but it’s unmistakably all Isuzu … or GM, take your pick. From the front it carries that typical Isuzu grille. From everywhere else, it looks GM.

From the side, the Isuzu could be an Envoy. It is shaped like the Envoy, except with Isuzu body cladding and oversized, overstuffed fenders. From the rear you could mistake it for a Blazer. Even the interior is strikingly similar to something you might see out of Detroit, not Japan.

So what gives? Call it the benefits of cross-pollination.

Isuzu has been under GM’s wing for quite some time, and the Ascender is the fruit of the labor. It’s a fact neither company backs away from, and it’s nothing new in this partnership.

Not long ago there was an Isuzu compact pickup sold in the United States as the Chevy LUV and, over the years, parts have been swapped back and forth between the two companies more often than horse trading on eBay. The Ascender will even go down the same Moraine, Ohio, assembly line as other Chevys and GMCs.

It’s no surprise the Ascender is meant to duplicate some things the Envoy and TrailBlazer already do well.

Some things it does, some it doesn’t.

The second and third row seats are versatile enough to tip and tumble forward, turning the Ascender into a hauler. Two-wheel-drive with traction control or available automatic four-wheel drive keeps things stable, turning the Ascender into an adventurer. And then there’s what’s under the hood, a pair of GM engines that turn the Ascender into a legitimate contender.

The standard engine for all Ascender models will be GM’s highly acclaimed new inline six-cylinder powerplant, which actually means something new for Isuzu amid all the familiar. With 275 horsepower, the Ascender will climb to the top of the charts in Isuzu’s line of engines, unleashing more horses than some competitors’ V8 engines.

But it doesn’t end there.

An all-aluminum torque-rich 5.3-liter V-8 is also available for extra towing, increasing the Ascender’s pull up to 7,400 pounds. That’s also a first for Isuzu, and it may lead to a first for GM. A V-8 has not yet been offered in GM’s mid-size SUVs, but if it can work in an Isuzu, the other sibling can’t be far behind.

We found both models more than adequate, just the kind of pull and push you need out of a vehicle this size. Its smooth gear ratios and aggressive power band will leave more than a few smiles, especially if you’re loaded down with cargo or kids.

A four-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is power rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with anti-lock and a long list of trim levels and option packages that can turn an average ride into a real pleasure cruise. Even base models will arrive with power windows and locks, power heated outside mirrors, cruise control and dual-zone air conditioning.

So where’s our beef?

The Ascender provides a smooth ride around town and on the highway, thanks to its ultra-soft suspension. But just like in the Envoy XL and TrailBlazer EXT the Ascender was not the best at dealing with adverse handling situations. That’s thanks to a non-independent rear suspension, steering that is still too numb and a slow-to-react automatic four-wheel-drive system.

Crash test scores were also a concern. The Trooper’s track record was unforgivable – and the public never forgot. We will hope it gets better. Inside, the interior setup could also use a bit of refinement in future models.

At least there’s a hefty warranty. As much as the Ascender mimics the Envoy, it will carry something no Chevy or GMC can claim: a massive insurance policy. Isuzu puts 10 years or 120,000 miles into its powertrain, and there’s a five-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance program, a six-year/100,000-mile corrosion and a three-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

All added up it’s an easy equation, even if the formula looks pretty similar. Mostly it does many good things the Troopper struggled with. It won’t be high-priced or underpowered, and it no longer will carry that rugged personality.

With GM involved, there are serious improvements in a new (albeit familiar) skin.

Double-takes come standard.

SPECS: 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER

High gear: Good power in base and optional engines, excellent cargo room and a hefty warranty could make the Ascender a climber on the SUV sales charts.

Low gear: Numb steering and difficulty handling quick maneuvers leave little to be desired. Some of the Isuzu’s tacky interior features could also be improved.

Rating: 2.5

Vehicle type: Rear- or all-wheel drive, front-engine, four-door, five-passenger mid-size sport utility vehicle.

Key standard equipment: Four-speed automatic transmission; 17-inch alloy rims and tires; full-size spare tire; roof rack; front and rear disc brakes with four-wheel ABS; front side mounted air bags; anti-theft alarm system; front fog lights; turn signal mirrors; dual-zone climate control; rear climate controls; keyless entry; trip computer; OnStar telematics; power windows, doors, locks and mirrors; AM/FM stereo.

Competition: Ford Explorer, Jeep Cherokee; Toyota 4Runner

Engine (base): 275 horsepower, 4.2-liter inline six cylinder

Torque (base): 275 foot-lbs. @ 3,600 rpm

Wheelbase: 129 inches

Length: 207.6 inches

MPG rating: 20/18 (estimated)

Manufactured: Moraine, Ohio

Warranty: Basic warranty is three years/36,000 miles; powertrain warranty is 10 years/120,000 miles; rust perforation warranty is six years/100,000 miles; roadside warranty is five years/60,000 miles.

Base price: $29,774

Price as tested (includes options, destination and delivery charges): $33,024