Isuzu Hombre reviews

2000 Isuzu Hombre Walkaround

The Hombre is offered in two body styles, regular cab and the extended Spacecab. It comes in two trim levels, S and XS. Two engines are available. The standard 2.2-liter ohv 4-cylinder engine is rated at 120 horsepower and 140 foot-pounds (lb.-ft.) of torque. A 4.3-liter V6 produces 240 lb.-ft. of torque and is rated at 175 hp on two-wheel-drive models and 180 hp when working with four-wheel drive. Transmission choices are five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

We examined an Isuzu Hombre Spacecab XS with the V6, automatic transmission and two-wheel drive.

Standard equipment includes four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), dual airbags with passenger-side deactivation switch, power steering, and AM/FM stereo with clock. A battery run-down protection device has been added this year along with a theft-deterrent system. Four-wheel-drive models come with four-wheel disc brakes; two-wheel-drive Hombres are equipped with front disc, rear drum brakes.

An optional sliding rear window provides access to the bed, which is particularly handy when outfitted with a cap. Our Spacecab XS came standard with a 60/40 split folding front bench seat, folding center armrest and cut-pile carpeting. In addition to its generous warranties, the Hombre is covered with a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program.

The Hombre's mechanical layout is straightforward: In the front, an independent suspension of upper and lower control arms, and in the rear, a live axle on leaf springs. There's a heavy-duty suspension available that consists of heavier-duty springs for increased trailer towing capacity and, if the vehicle is equipped with the four-cylinder engine, a change in the rear axle ratio from 3.73:1 to 4.10:1, which helps with pulling heavy loads. With it, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) goes up to 4600 pounds, from 4200 for the standard cab and 4400 with the Spacecab. Trailer towing capacity is 2000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine and 5500 lbs. with the V6, or 5000 pounds with the V6 in a Spacecab.

Buyers should find Hombre prices attractive. Our Spacecab XS with V6 and automatic came to $17,875; it did not come with air conditioning, which would have added $835.

The Hombre's V6 engine pulls strongly, offering good torque for pulling and hauling. It produces more power than the V6 engines in either the Ford Ranger or the Dodge Dakota, and more torque than any of the import-brand compact pickups.

The fuel-injected 2.2-liter overhead-valve four-cylinder engine has been improved for 1998. Power has been increased slightly, while induction noise has been reduced.