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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  Better than expected - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By STS92 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  As good as the first one I bought back in 1984! Overall reliability of this vehicle has been exceptional. No mechanical problems at all in 24,000 miles. Huge interior with the back seats down.

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  One of the few remaining true SUVs - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By kboyfrommd - October 18 - 2:00 am

  The best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Lemon at Large - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By ccya - September 14 - 12:07 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 160,000 on it. I didnt make it one month before it needed major repairs, I was told it was the transmission, by several different mechanics. Took it to a trasmaission shop they switched out the transmission and $2700 later they took it for a test drive and guess what it was still doing the sam thing. Turned out to be the alternator not the transmission. Havent had it back a week and the muffler dropped on it. Than within one more week the motor starts knocking, not a good sign.

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  2002 Isuzu Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By LarryP - August 26 - 10:00 am

  The trooper has been great. it is my second and the 2000 has a great engine and is very reliable.

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  Beware - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By John - August 25 - 9:30 am

  I bought the Isuzu Trooper because I saw great ratings on Edmunds, but my experience has been poor thus far. I bought at 85K and thank goodness I bought an Eagle extended warranty. In six months I have replaced the starter after sitting in a parking lot for 6 hours waiting to be towed on 4th of July. Then came the alternator and the engine at $3,200 was just replaced under warranty. My mechanic told me although I saw great ratings on Edmunds he has seen nothing but problems over and over again with the ones he serviced. "ENGINES are always a problem with these"...he told me! I still like it, but dont buy one without an extended warranty!

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  1999 Original Trooper Owner Review - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By cknott - July 10 - 12:36 am

  We have had no problems with this vehicle and have nearly 45k on the odometer. The vehicle is built solid, has no rattles, has exceptional visibility, enough power, and excellent brakes. The brakes should easily reach over 75k based on an inspection at 40k..Fuel mileage averages 17 mpg. This vehicle can go places in 2wd that most of its competition can only traverse in 4wd.I expect 200k out of this vehicle without any replacement of the powertrain.

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  130k mileage, uber-dependable in Colorado - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Lesmon - June 26 - 9:50 am

  Bought it used in 2000 with 13k miles; now have 130k. This car is a beast in Colorado, smashes through blizzards and snow, pulls out cars when in 4 Lo, carries lots of stuff when skiing. Still have original brakes at only 50% usage and that includes lots of driving up/down the mountains to ski and a few 4WD drives up to 13,000 feet. Also holds my 3 kids in the backseat nicely. Love the tons of interior space; its like having a Suburban without the excessive length. Truely have had only two post- warranty repairs: Transmission seal and Torque-On-Demand vaccum replacement. Total cost around $900. It does burn oil as others say but I can live with that and hope to for another 5 years.

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  Great Truck - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Bimmer-7 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle does what we wanted it to (handle snow and ice) better than any other weve owned. Its like a mountain goat.

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  Just what I wanted - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Trooper Fans - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Trooper for its TOD, Size and most of all, the fact that it really was a truck under the Sport Utility skin. My wife and I love this car much more than the 1990 Jeep Cherokee it replaced (200k on that one). We plan on keeping this one just as long.

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  Great Vehicle - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By rd - April 20 - 12:23 am

  Purchased new with Performance/Luxury pkg. Its been great. Very good legroom in back seat. Reliability has been excellent. Changed front differential fluid today, wear was as expected, no problems. Interior design is simple, still looks good, not real dated. Oil use is not too bad, but some gone at each oil change. TOD works well.