Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty
Abba famously sang about a Super Trooper (or Trouper in their case). Isuzu's Trooper, on the other hand, is more blooper than super.
After just a few minutes on the road, a friend summed it up perfectly when she described the green Japanese 4x4 as the unincredible hulk.
Large, cumbersome, noisy, slow and uneconomical, there wasn't much to praise about the short-wheelbase diesel. I couldn't believe the price tag was almost pounds 20,000.
To give it some credit, the three-door Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty looks quite purposeful on the outside, with its squat stance and clean lines. But the excitement evaporates once you turn the key in the ignition and what sounds very much like a tank stutters into action.
Anyone even slightly interested in cars could tell you how much diesels have come on over the last few years. Many are so quiet and refined you can't distinguish them from petrol engines. The Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty diesel engine, on the other hand, is loud. When it's sparked into life it shakes everything in the cabin to its very core. The company blurb proudly points out that the new Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty has enhanced starting characteristics. Well, you could have fooled me. Instead of jumping straight into action, the engine whines and protests for a good few seconds before the pneumatic drill-like vibrations kick in to announce the beast is awake.
Steering isn't too heavy and is balanced. Handling is solid, but the Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty doesn't feel too agile on the road.
If you're looking for a 4x4 for city roads this isn't it. But it's been designed to go off-road too and will no doubt appeal as a rural workhorse.
The interior of the Isuzu Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty isn't much to write home about. Cheap-feeling velour for the upholstery trim and tacky plastic makes up the dashboard and fascia.
If I'd forked out pounds 20K on this, I'd have been very angry.
Facts and figures
Make: Isuzu
Model: Trooper SWB 3.0 Duty
Price: pounds 19,995
Mechanical: 157bhp, 2,999cc, 4cyl diesel engine, driving 2/4 wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 99.4mph
0-62mph: 13.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 27.4
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 273g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles; 6 years anti-rust
Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England)
October 24, 2003
Paul Malley