Isuzu Rodeo scores award hat-trick

The highly-acclaimed Isuzu Rodeo pickup has just scored an award hat-trick thanks to a Japanese panel of judges and two UK magazines.

Almost 70 adjudicators comprising designers, architects, editors and product specialists have given the Rodeo a ‘2005 Good Design Award’ – one of Japan’s most coveted accolades since its inception in 1957.

Formulated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, key criteria included aesthetics, meeting the needs of consumers, functionality and performance. The Rodeo also had to ‘break new ground for the future’.

Furthermore, in the UK, Used Car Buyer magazine has voted the four-door, five-seat Isuzu Rodeo its ‘Best Double Cab Pickup’ following rigorous comparison with all its main rivals.

Typical comments include those from Editor, Bob Murray, who said: “Even drivers of some 4x4 cars will be in for a pleasant surprise here. Yes it’s a commercial vehicle, but never before has there been such a comfortable, roomy, refined, well-equipped and decent-driving commercial vehicle as the Rodeo. And it’s as tough as they come.”

Finally, 4x4 magazine has made the range-topping, luxury-spec Rodeo Denver Max its ‘Lifestyle Pickup Winner’.

It said; “The Rodeo pushes the performance envelope to new heights, since the direct-injection turbodiesel can now be tweaked to a heady 155-horse by plugging in a £760 chip from rally specialists Prodrive.

“This will increase torque to a beefy 258 lb ft, which not only provides tyre-scorching getaway when riding light, but is a real must-have for heavy towing operations. The Rodeo can certainly handle that extra power, the rack-and-pinion steering contributing to impressively sure-footed roadholding.

“The Max special edition is a sight to behold, with its surprisingly tasteful chrome-trimmed A-bar (made in pedestrian-safe soft plastic), polished steel side steps, chromed rear bumper and tail lamp guards, and brushed stainless steel door entry guards, a total package worth £1,110 if bought separately, yet adding only £200 to the price of the standard Rodeo.”