vehicross
The Isuzu VehiCROSS was a mini/compact SUV model produced and sold by Isuzu Motors. While primarily an outlier in the Isuzu vehicle catalog due to its unique design and build, the VehiCROSS was heavily-based on the Isuzu Trooper platform. Additionally, the VehiCROSS was priced and sized below the Isuzu Amigo/MU and Rodeo midsize SUVs.
The Isuzu VehiCROSS first appeared as the Isuzu VX concept car at the 1993 Tokyo International Auto Show. A barely changed and finalized production version was then released in 1997. Upon its release, the VehiCROSS received high praise and severe criticism for its design. However, universal acclaim was given to its off-road performance chops, heavily thanks to its Torque on Demand (TOD) four-wheel-drive system.
However, despite its overall warm reception, the VehiCROSS sold poorly during its brief run and was discontinued in 2001. Competitors of the VehiCROSS during its time included the Jeep Wrangler, the Mazda Tribute, the Mitsubishi Montero, the Suzuki Samurai, and the Toyota RAV4.
About Isuzu
- 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS (Starting MSRP $30,350)
- Pros: The Isuzu VehiCROSS mini/compact SUV offered its drivers unique styling, a powerful and smooth baseline engine, and the intriguing and innovative (for the time) Torque-On-Demand system.
- Cons: The flavorful style of the VehiCROSS isn’t to everyone’s taste. Additionally, the ride quality can be a bit uneven on pavement, and its rear seat is cramped and difficult to access with the two-door design.
- See Also: Rodeo and Trooper
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