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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  I really wanted to keep liking - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By rkmii - September 23 - 5:00 am

  I bought it new but within 5 years it was sucking down a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. This is a well-maintained vehicle. We are talking about a defective engine here and Isuzu has refused and/or failed to do anything about it unless somebodys Trooper was under warranty while it was doing the same thing. Also has developed problems with transfer case, TOD system - pretty much the entire drive train. I dont abuse my vehicles. For these reasons I rate my Trooper as having poor reliability because without the motor its nothing. This is my second Trooper and my second Isuzu. Both have been let-downs. I wont buy another Isuzu. Ever.

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  Practical SUV - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Mwidner - December 17 - 3:16 pm

  Good if going to use the "utility" part of SUV, otherwise buy a car. Lots of room to haul stuff, adequate power and great on hills and in snow.

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  just fair - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By joe kirshenbaum - January 7 - 4:06 am

  I like the size and roominess of the interior. Driversite lines are good and car is very comfortable to drive. Plenty of passenger room and cargo room. However, vehicle is heavy and a bit sluggish to operate. Low gas mileage tops out at about 15.5 mpg true driving conditions. Had to have transmission replaced at 72000 miles (covered 100% by warranty). Also have had several issues with 4wd system which were only partially covered by warranty. The mechanical problems and below average gas mileage prevent me from recommending car as an every day vehicle

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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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  Maybe mine is a Lemon - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By JD - December 14 - 8:50 am

  Bought mine with only 8K miles in 01. Everything went well until engine threw a rod at 58K miles and destroyed the engine. Engine was replaced under warranty by Isuzu. Good customer service, it just took 3 months for the engine replacement. In the interim had to buy another vehicle to fill the void. Once car was returned engine management system failed at 62K miles (not covered under warranty). Quality of build pales compared to my old 86 Trooper II. Not recommended.

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  This is not a good choice - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Laszlo - October 3 - 6:50 pm

  We needed a 4WD since we moved from Los Angeles to an area that had snow. We bought the Trooper used. It had only 32000 miles and looked very clean. Its been in the shop twice in the past 4 months and the parts are hard to get. Gas mileage was terrible before our first trip to the mechanic and now the tranmission leaks and there is no easy way to fill it. The mechanic found no dip stick. The fluid has to be pumped in under the car. They sure dont make it easy! There are so many better trucks out there, there is no reason to buy 2nd or 3rd best. The Trooper is no better than 3rd best choice for an SUV. Its uncomfortable, unreliable and gets terrible gas mileage. Stay away!

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  Engine and transmission - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By WYODRIVER - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Complete transmission failure at 36,000 mi. and engine failure at 50,000. Both were replaced under warranty. Lots of room and performs reasonably well in the snow.

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  Gone too soon - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By yaboiaj1 - July 30 - 9:55 pm

  I had just bought my trooper automatic wasnt an option up there neway it was used 135k + mi. and I was paying for a little over a year I had I believe 3 more payments left and it threw a rod or whatever to me it wasnt worth the fix. We had a love hate relationship. Ill never forget driving away from it looking through the rearview for the last time. I never saw it again there was a terrible ticking noise in the engine everywhere I went I constantly had people saying you need oil took it to the shop they said I didnt but something was obviously wrong Ive been car less for a year I truely miss my trooper but I honestly wouldnt recommend it to anyone

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  Unhappy with quality, performance - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By TahoeNextTime - March 30 - 10:00 am

  At 50000 miles it needed a new engine. Something expensive breaks every 3000- 4000 miles. Slow. Crappy off-road. Ok on the street. Isuzu Motors corp. is unresponsive and unhelpful

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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.