Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 70%

Mitsubishi’s L200 and Nissan’s Navara are the stylish pickups grabbing the headlines, but the Isuzu Rodeo is more than a match for its Japanese rivals.

Its better looking, and with the Prodrive Performance Pack fitted, it's quicker than a three tonne truck has the right to be.

Read on for our review of the Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE, or click the links to skip to a section.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

Isuzu boldly claims its Rodeo is the best looking one tonne-carrying pickup available, and comparing it against its rivals, it’s on to something: the Nissan Navara looks too big, the L200 too odd-looking and the Ford Ranger too bland. Our top-of-the-range Denver Max LE sported a host of chrome features, including wing mirrors, side steps and the rear bumper which add a menacing tone, especially when laid against the black paintwork. A set of 18-inch alloys looked tiny on a car of this size and look rugged, especially when paired with its all-terrain tyres. Our test car was fitted with the optional ‘Avenger Top’ which covered the load bay and made it look more SUV-like.

8/10

2. Looks inside

The Rodeo is a commercial vehicle first and foremost, so a fittingly solid, well built and functional interior is what you get. Unusually there isn’t an abundance of storage space, apart from a storage box between the front seats. There’s enough space in the back for the tallest passengers, who can play with the rear electric windows. The two-tone leather seats came with an Isuzu logo embroidered on the front seat backs, but aren’t the most supportive we’ve ever sat in.

6/10

3. Practicality

Mention you’re driving a pickup to a friend, and they’ll tell you they’ve all sorts of furniture to move. The truth is it’s not actually that big inside. With our Avenger Top, the Rodeo was capable of carrying plenty of cargo, but fell sort of the ability we expected. The back seat area, with its boxy shape is an excellent space for loading and hauling large objects – in fact we found it more practical than a slippery base in the load bed. Most drivers will never load the Rodeo to its gunnels, given its substantial 1,045kg payload limit.

7/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Rodeo is a compromise, and the old fashioned leafspring suspension which is required to carry heavy loads means cornering can be a bit of a challenge. This is compounded by a high centre of gravity and big, balloon-like tyres. Ride quality is far better, with it soaking up the majority of bumps in its stride. It’s not a car for long motorway runs though, with an intrusive engine roar and vibrations.

6/10

5. Performance

Our test car was fitted with the Prodrive Performance Pack, a name more familiar with Subaru Impreza Turbo owners than commercial vehicle drivers. At the push of a dashboard-mounted button labelled with an innocent looking ‘P’, you’ll find a stronger throttle response and a substantial boost in power. The £760 option, which is standard on our Denver Max LE, hikes power from 131bhp to 155bhp and raises pulling power from 206.5lb/ft to a solid 258lb/ft – essential for carrying heavy loads without frequent gear changes. The PPP reduces the 0-60mph time from 16.8 to just 12.4 seconds; which is quick enough to keep up with traffic.

8/10

6. Running Costs

Isuzu says the Rodeo will cover around 32mpg on average, although our mainly urban slog caused the heavy truck to be quite a bit thirstier. A group 12 insurance rating is about average for a commercial vehicle of this type. It’s a bonus for company car drivers too, because commercial vehicles can be eligible for attractive tax rates. The Denver Max LE comes with almost £6,000 worth of extras, making it an appealing choice.

7/10

7. Reliability

The Thai-built Rodeo has been developed to take all the abuse thrown at it, and in a market dominated by buyers who buy these as a practical workhorse who can’t afford for it to be off the road, the Rodeo should be well built.

8/10

8. Safety

The Rodeo is common in the Far East and Greek peninsula as a family car, so Isuzu have majored on safety. ABS and brakeforce distribution is standard across the range, as are driver and passenger airbags. The fuel tank is made from polyethylene, rather than the rust-prone steel tanks featured on other models. On a vehicle which will spend lots of time in the mud, this is an important consideration.

6/10

9. Equipment

The Max LE comes with a surprising range of creature comforts, including a two or four-wheel-drive selector, which can shift configurations at up to 60mph, air conditioning, a bluetooth hands free kit and a touch-screen satnav with integrated speed camera detectors. However, the system is among the worst we’ve seen, with a reluctance to offer alternative routes, a delay in transmitting the promised traffic jam avoidance information and a volume control buried deep within the system setup menus.

7/10

10. X-Factor

If you’re looking for a useable, everyday pickup truck with a bit of bling, and a lot of performance, there really is only one choice.

7/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:
Mitsubishi L200
Mazda BT-50
Ford Ranger

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