1998-03 Isuzu Amigo/Rodeo Sport | Consumer Guide Auto

Compact SUV; Built in Japan

2-door convertible
2-door wagon

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $1,600 – $4,800*

2000 Isuzu Amigo 2-door wagon

2000 Isuzu Amigo 2-door convertible

2000 Isuzu Amigo interior

2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport 2-door wagon

1998 Isuzu Amigo 2-door convertible

Pros:	Acceleration (V6) Cargo room
Cons:	Acceleration (4-cyl) Entry/exit Noise Ride

Though far from perfect, the Amigo is more substantial than some small SUVs and more refined than a Wrangler. Otherwise, a moderate price might be its biggest advantage.

Overview

Isuzu revived the compact Amigo, last seen in 1994, in a fresh form for the 1998 model year. Available with either rear-drive or 4-wheel drive, Amigo shared its basic design with the larger Isuzu Rodeo 4-door sport utility wagon, but wore a shorter 2-door body. The semi-convertible body had a folding soft top over the back seat, as well as a pop-up sunroof. Two engines were available: a 4-cylinder and a V6. The 2.2-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder produced 130 horsepower, versus 205 hp for the twin-cam 3.2-liter V6. Five-speed manual shift was standard, with a 4-speed automatic transmission optional for Amigos with the V6 engine. Like Rodeo’s 4WD system, the Amigo’s setup was not intended for use on dry pavement, but it included pushbutton shift-on-the-fly between 2WD and 4WD, along with separate low-range gearing. Four-wheel antilock braking was standard.

Yearly Updates

1999 Amigo
A new hardtop wagon with a pop-up sunroof over the rear seat and a heated rear window joined the original semi-convertible. Cruise control was no longer available.

2000 Amigo
A restyled nose and tail appeared on 2000 Amigos, and V6 models came with standard cruise control. Adjustable shock absorbers became optional, and the 4WD 4-cylinder manual-shift soft-top model was dropped.
A new Ironman package, named for Isuzu’s sponsorship of the Ironman triathlon competition, became available for V6 models with the Preferred Equipment package. Intelligent Suspension Control was optional on V6 Ironman Amigos, allowing the driver to choose sport or normal shock damping via a dashboard switch.
Previously optional, 16-inch wheels replaced the original 15-inchers as standard equipment. Fender flares were a new option, and the spare tire now wore a standard plastic/vinyl cover.

2001 Rodeo Sport
Isuzu renamed its Amigo the Rodeo Sport for 2001, intending to reposition the compact model as a sportier, off-road-oriented version of its larger–and more popular–4-door Rodeo. Both engines now were available with either a manual or automatic transmission. The Preferred Equipment package added a rear cargo tray, and V6 models gained 2-speed variable intermittent wipers.

2002 Rodeo Sport
For 2002, the Ironman and SE packages are dropped along with their adjustable shock absorbers.

2003 Rodeo Sport
No changes were evident for ’03.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.2/134
Engine HP	130
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	144

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	21/24 NA

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.2/134

Engine HP

130

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

144

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

21/24
NA

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.2/193
Engine HP	205
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	214

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	18/21 17/21	17.3 16.9

dohc V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.2/193

Engine HP

205

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

214

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

18/21
17/21

17.3
16.9

Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Isuzu Amigo V6

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4

40%

Fuel Economy - 3

30%

Ride Quality - 2

20%

Steering/Handling - 3

30%

Quietness - 2

20%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4

40%

Room/Comfort Front - 4

40%

Room/Comfort Rear - 2

20%

Cargo Room - 6

60%

Other

Value - 3

30%

Total: 33

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Front Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Rear Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2000 Isuzu Amigo	Pricing Effective: 07/24/2000
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door convertible, 5-speed	$ 15,730	$ 14,943	$ 495
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, 5-speed	15,730	14,943	495
2WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	18,215	16,758	495
2WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	18,215	16,758	495
4WD S V6 2-door convertible, 5-speed	19,695	18,120	495
4WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	20,495	18,856	495
4WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	20,495	18,856	495
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
S 4-cylinder convertible : 2.2-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, antilock brakes, variable-assist power steering, cloth upholstery, front reclining bucket seats, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, manual front sunroof, visor mirrors, intermittent wipers, map lights, rear folding top, dual outside mirrors, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 7-wire trailer harness, front and rear tow hooks, 245/70R16 tires
S 4-cylinder wagon adds: manual rear sunroof, rear defogger, rear intermittent wiper/washer, (Deletes rear folding top)
S V6 adds to S 4-cylinder convertible and S 4-cylinder wagon: 3.2-liter dohc V6 engine, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, 4WD models add: part-time 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential (automatic), 4-wheel disc brakes

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Preferred Equipment Pkg. 2	V6	$2110	$1842
Air conditioning, power mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, variable intermittent wipers, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, center armrest pad, courtesy lights, cargo net, floormats, theft-deterrent system.
Ironman Pkg.	V6	962	856
Adjustable shock absorbers, unique floormats, Ironman Triathlon graphics, fender flares. Requires Preferred Equipment Pkg. 2.
Powertrain
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Limited-slip differential	4WD	250	223
Std. 4WD convertible.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Air conditioning		950	845
CD player		500	395
Cargo cover		180	142
Cargo mat		60	47
Floormats		50	40
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Fog lights	4WD V6	70	56
Requires Preferred Pkg. and alloy wheels.
Fender flares		225	200
Require alloy wheels.
Sport side steps		355	281
Taillight guard		84	66
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Trailer hitch		253	200
Alloy wheels		400	356

2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport	Pricing Effective: 07/16/2001
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door convertible, manual	$ 15,715	$ 15,393	$ 610
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door convertible, automatic	16,835	16,454	610
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, manual	15,440	15,124	610
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, automatic	16,560	16,185	610
2WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	18,410	17,313	610
2WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	18,135	17,054	610
4WD S V6 2-door convertible, manual	19,750	18,551	610
4WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	20,750	19,490	610
4WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	20,360	19,124	610
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
S 4-cylinder convertible : 2.2-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, antilock brakes, variable-assist power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, manual front sunroof, driver-side visor mirror, intermittent wipers, map lights, rear folding top, dual outside mirrors, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 7-wire trailer harness, front and rear tow hooks, 245/70R16 tires
S 4-cylinder wagon adds: manual rear sunroof, rear defogger, rear intermittent wiper, (Deletes rear folding top)
S V6 adds to S 4-cylinder convertible and S 4-cylinder wagon: 3.2-liter dohc V6 engine, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential, 4-wheel disc brakes

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 33

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport	Pricing Effective: 08/29/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door convertible, manual	$ 16,375	$ 16,030	$ 610
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, manual	16,100	15,740	610
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, automatic	17,100	16,710	610
2WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	19,570	18,390	610
2WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	19,295	18,135	610
4WD S V6 2-door convertible, automatic	22,045	20,695	610
4WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	21,770	20,435	610
Price Note: 4WD requires Preferred Equipment Pkg.

2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport	Pricing Effective: 12/20/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door convertible, manual	$ 13,999	$ 13,848	$ 625
2WD S 4-cylinder 2-door wagon, automatic	15,999	15,789	625
2WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	17,665	16,827	625
4WD S V6 2-door wagon, automatic	19,415	18,438	625
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
S 4-cylinder convertible : 2.2-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, antilock brakes, power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, manual front sunroof, driver-side visor mirror, intermittent wipers, map lights, rear folding top, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 245/70R16 tires
S 4-cylinder wagon adds: 4-speed automatic transmission, AM/FM/CD player, manual rear sunroof, rear defogger, rear intermittent wiper/washer, (Deletes rear folding top)
S V6 adds: 3.2-liter dohc V6 engine, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, variable-intermittent wipers, theft-deterrent system, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 4-wheel disc brakes