2002 Isuzu Axiom Review

Prices:
$25,985-$30,785
Likes:
Roomy. Fast. Solid. Well equipped. Classy interior.
Dislikes: Occasionally jiggly ride. Crowded multi-information display screen. Narrow rear doorways.

Is the new 2002 Isuzu Axiom more like a car or truck? Call it what you like, the Axiom sure looks unusual, with styling from Isuzu's controversial 1999 ZXS auto show concept vehicle. It resembles an oversized station wagon, although you can tell you're in a sport-utility vehicle by such things as its occasionally jiggly ride.
The Axiom actually is one of the new "crossover" vehicles that combine car like comfort with a truck's utility. Rivals include car-based sport-utes such as the new Toyota Highlander.

Isuzu has no car on which to base the Axiom because it stopped selling cars here after 1993 to concentrate on sport-utes. That was a shrewd move, because the car market has become insanely competitive and sport-utes have become increasingly popular.
The Indiana-built Axiom's name came from the first Web-based vehicle naming contest. Held in 1999, it drew 46,577 entries. An electrical engineer chose the name because of its mathematical definition: a self-evident truth. The Axiom comes in base and upscale XS trim levels and with rear-drive or an advanced four-wheel-drive system that can be used on dry roads without tearing up gears or tires.

Rear-drive models cost from $25,985 to $28,305, while four-wheel drive models go from $28,465 to $30,785. Both are so well equipped that there are virtually no options. Even the base Axiom has such items as a power driver's seat, automatic climate control, keyless entry, AM; FM; cassette; CD sound system and power windows, locks and mirrors. The XS adds a power front passenger seat, leather interior, heated seats, power moonroof and fog lamps.

The Axiom is based on the midsize Isuzu Rodeo sport-ute chassis and thus has body-on-frame construction. That rigid construction typically found with larger sport-utes allows tough off-road driving with the available four-wheel-drive, which has low-range gearing. However, the Axiom mostly is designed for on-road driving. Axiom styling turns heads. There's a blunt front end with small "cat's eye" headlights and louvered grille, asymmetrical windows and bodysides and dramatically flared fenders that cover big alloy wheels.

The computer-controlled suspension provides a generally smooth ride but gets jiggly when put in "sport" mode by a driver who wants crisper handling on winding roads. Handling is fine for most driving with the suspension in "comfort" mode.

Steering is a little slow at lower speeds, but you wouldn't want it to be any faster on highways. The brake pedal feels a bit soft but has a progressive action that allows easily controlled braking with the standard anti-lock system. The strong 3.5-liter, 230-horsepower V-6 is based on the engine in the full-size Isuzu Trooper sport-utility, but modifications result in an extra 15 horsepower. The 24-valve, dual-overhead-camshaft V-6 is smooth but roars during hard acceleration. It works with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission with power and winter modes.
The Axiom is among the fastest vehicles in its class. It's quick off the line because there's plenty of low-end torque and hits 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds. The 65-75 mph passing time is good and acceleration even is strong from 70 to 80 mph.

However, the Axiom is heavy at 3,920 to 4,180 pounds. Fuel economy thus is only an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 20 on highways. The quiet interior has high-quality materials and looks classy. For instance, there's a handsome shift lever, retro metallic-looking gauge bezels and expensive looking surrounds for power window controls. There's even a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sports sedan instrumentation.

Controls work smoothly, and front console cup holders are nicely positioned. But the center LED display a first for Isuzu squeezes data from the radio, clock, trip computer, compass and climate control onto a crowded small screen. Four 6-footers easily fit, although some tall drivers may wish their seat moved back more. A low floor makes it easy to get in and out, although rear doorways are narrow.

The cargo area is big and the entire rear seat folds forward to significantly enlarge that area. The rear hatch door swings well up out of the way and is easy to close without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal. With the Axiom, you get a vehicle that doesn't look like anything else and has performance and roominess to burn. And who says that all crossover vehicles must look alike?