Overview & Reviews

The original Isuzu Trooper debuted during the early 1980s. Thanks to the public's nascent demand for SUVs, the Trooper was fairly successful although it was plain and very utilitarian. Its boxy, two-door body has an obvious Land Rover appeal, but early versions were available only with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and were quite underpowered.

Soon, a four-door model joined the lineup, and a GM-sourced V6 engine became available. As the sport-utility market grew, luxury amenities were added to the Trooper, but by the early 1990s, it was apparent that Isuzu needed to redesign the Trooper so it could remain viable in a market populated by steadily improving competitors.

It's this new "box with round edges" Trooper most people remember. Still truck-based, this wider, longer and taller Trooper added features such as a more powerful V6 and antilock brakes. That design lasted 10 years, and for some of those years Acura sold a rebadged version called the SLX. By the start of the new millennium, however, the Isuzu Trooper had been eclipsed by newer and superior competition and was still suffering from the effects of a negative report published in Consumer Reports magazine. With sales stalled, Isuzu discontinued the model for 2002.

As a used midsize SUV, the second-generation Isuzu Trooper is nicely equipped (in Limited trim) and, thanks to aggressive depreciation, priced affordably. Good off-road ability, excellent outward visibility and a spacious interior are among the Trooper's other positive attributes. Poor on-road handling and mediocre fuel economy are the Trooper's main drawbacks. The best years for the Trooper are the mid-to-late '90s. After that, models like the Ford Explorer or Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia are better choices.

Most Recent Isuzu Trooper

The second-generation Isuzu Trooper was produced from 1992-2002. Isuzu made some important updates for 1998, and it's probably these later Troopers that most used-SUV shoppers will be looking at.

In that year, this five-passenger midsize SUV gained a new, more powerful 3.5-liter 215-horsepower V6 and full-time four-wheel drive became standard. The Trooper also got a slight styling update that made it look more upscale than similar-era SUVs. The Trooper was available in two trim levels, base S and upscale Luxury, with the latter changing its name to Limited the following year. By 2000, an LS midlevel trim was added and once again a rear-wheel-drive version was offered. Only minor feature updates were made for the Trooper's last couple of years.

Our last full test of an Isuzu Trooper was in 1999 and we praised the vehicle's improvements, noting that the new engine added needed power and the interior was surprisingly quiet. We also praised the Trooper's roomy interior and cavernous cargo bay. Still, there's no disguising the fact that the Trooper is a truck. It looks like a truck and it rides like a truck. Anyone expecting a smooth ride and sharp handling will be disappointed.

For earlier years of this generation Trooper, there are a few things to watch out for. These Troopers were not as powerful. Base Trooper S models had a single-overhead-cam V6 that made an adequate 175 hp, while upscale-looking LS models had a dual-overhead-cam V6 that was good for 190 hp. Both engines displace 3.2 liters. In addition to its extra horsepower, the LS also offered ABS as an option, so used shoppers should consider that trim level.

Changes over the years were few, but one of the more noteworthy included the addition of a short-wheelbase two-door Trooper with the RS trim level designation in 1993. A few years later it was dropped. If you live in a cold climate, consider a 1994 or newer Isuzu Trooper, as those models offered the option of heated and powered front seats.

The real bargain is the Trooper Limited version added for the 1995 model year. It included such features as a power sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats and wood grain trim. Prices for a Limited are only a few hundred dollars more than a lesser equipped Trooper, and all '95 models offered a slightly more compliant ride thanks to a revised suspension. The Trooper lineup for 1996 was minus the two-door RS. Shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive also made its debut that year. By 1997, ABS became standard and the Limited trim was renamed the Luxury model.

Past Isuzu Trooper

The first-generation Trooper ran from 1981-'91. A diesel version was offered as well, and later versions of first-generation Troopers were available with a V6. Early Troopers were available as two- and four-door versions but it was the roomy four-door that became popular with American drivers.

User Reviews:

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  2 Trooper Guy - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By gpepper - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my wife a Trooper S. Within 6 months I traded in my 97 3000GT VR4 and bought myself a new Trooper Limited. Its an unpretentious vehicle thats entirely capable of delivering on every promise. Sturdy, dependable, and it really goes in snow. My family and I recently found ourselfs in a horrific snow storm in the Trooper. 18" of dense, wet snow, fallen trees strewn across the mountain roads and literally crashing all around us. I cant tell you how amazed we were at how easily we drove through it. The Tooper didnt even break a sweat, and neither did we.

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  Trooper Fan! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By TBrye - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. Second Trooper weve owned. Sorry to see the model discontinued. No desire to look at Ascender. Might as well go directly to GM if I want a TrailBlazer or Envoy

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  12 Years and 124,000 miles later - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By markumz - February 20 - 11:04 am

  This is a truck & is built like all trucks should be. Used for work commute & as a family vehicle. Past problems/repairs: Both front pass windows came off track (tried to put them down while frozen). AC leak in 2000. 2 cd players in 2001. Life Maintenance: Oil change every 10,000 miles or so. 4 Batteries, 4 sets tires, 2 exhaust systems from the cat on back. 4 maybe 5 sets brake pads. timing belt @ 75k as recommended. Big repair$: 2011- Alternator, 4 rotors, pads & 2 rear calipers. Never touched: motor, AT, Driveline components, susp/steer comp, plugs, wires, cooling, ps system, electrical, body hdwe.

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  Served me well - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By isuztroop7 - February 4 - 9:26 pm

  Ive always wanted a Trooper more than anything and finally purchased a used one after Isuzu ended its production. Its been 3 and half years and its time to move on to a new love. She always made me want drive friends to places and parties. Never let me down on muddy trails, sandy Virginia beaches or snowy Connecticut highways. Always felt safely in control. The stock sport 4WD model came with lots of options but not as many as the LS or Limited. Ill never forget that outstanding truck.

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  Watch out for timing problems - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By dawelch_in_AK - January 29 - 10:00 am

  The Trooper is great up here in Alaska off roading, or whatever. Good to drive in all weather conditions; love the Torque on Demand. HOWEVER, I recently had the timing belt changed, and a week later, the bolt that connects the timing belt to the engine sheered in half. This royally hosed my engine. Bent 6 valves out of 24. This bolt supposedly should not break, but it did.

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  My 2000 Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Peter Kumble - January 27 - 7:23 am

  This is my second Trooper - bought it new in 2000, replaced my 1991. Huge improvement. I really wish that Isuzu was still in the auto business and made these because I have no idea what I will replace it with. I have used this vehicle in every way possible. My one complaint is that the motor uses oil, has since new.

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  100,000 trouble-free miles - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By MTN MBA - January 6 - 8:30 am

  The Trooper continues to be a trooper! Only issue was a bad EGR @ 50k that was not covered under warranty (EGR apparently only to 24K) = $150. Ive continued hard use, with the addition of towing - surprised me with 19-20 mpg in CO mountains with trailer - apparently higher highway speeds are what brings my mileage to 16-17 (75-80 here in AZ). Installed OME 2" lift & it rides like it should now - does not bottom-out with heavy load. Continues to excel on backcountry trails. Interior has held-up well even though Ive used like a pickup (bikes, building materials). Exterior paint excellent with exception of chipping on rear flares near doors. Use of K&N air filter aids pick-up. Overall build quality remains tight/quiet.

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  Three Troopers - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By PD - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I own three troopers. Not a single failure / problem in 250000 total miles.

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  The best suv for the money, hands down! - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By drdmoore - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great vehicle. More solidly built than my wifes RX300. The seat could use a little more padding but I have gotten use to it. JUST A CRIME THAT THEY DO NOT MAKE THIS VEHICLE ANY MORE!

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  Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By GeorgeV - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Good, reliable track, nice image, a lot of cargo space. Price. Did not have any problem.