The 2005 Isuzu Ascender features advanced protection features, a refreshed front and interior, and enhanced comfort. The Ascender is based on the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but continues the Isuzu culture of rugged capability with body-on-chassis structure and available for everything. wheel transmission.
The Ascender will be available in five- and seven-passenger editions. The five-passenger edition is shorter and more maneuverable than the seven-passenger edition and is much less difficult to park. We rate the five-seater Ascender as one of the most productive midsize SUVs, especially for buyers looking for a rugged vehicle. It has a lovely and flexible interior shipping space. It’s sleek and provides responsive handling for a midsize SUV. GM’s inline-six engine is a wonderful, sleek and responsive engine with maximum torque.
The seven-passenger version, on the other hand, is built on an extended wheelbase and looks long and bulky. The popular six-cylinder engine struggles to take care of the extra weight. The optional 5. 3-liter V8 is more suitable, and for 2005 it’s tougher and more fuel-efficient than last year’s V8. The new V8’s on-demand displacement shuts off cylinders seamlessly at low cruising speeds to increase fuel economy.
Safety has been enhanced with advanced airbag systems. Late 2005 Ascender models will offer rollover curtain airbags designed to provide head coverage for outside first- and second-row passengers. The available OnStar system, which we highly recommend, has been enhanced to better alert emergency crews and call them to the scene in the event of an accident.
Ascender offers a greater warranty than almost the same Chevy and GMC models. The Ascender comes with the Isuzu three-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a new seven-year/75,000-mile roadside assistance program, and a seven-year/75,000-mile roadside assistance program. -mile powertrain coverage. The Chevrolet and GMC versions of the vehicle are covered through a three-year/36,000-mile warranty program.
The 2005 Isuzu Ascender is available in popular and long-wheelbase versions. GM’s 4. 2-liter inline six-cylinder engine, with 275 horsepower, powers the five-passenger Ascender and is the popular engine in the seven-passenger model. The passenger Ascender has the option of a 5. 3-liter V8 with 300 horsepower, a 10-horsepower increase over the 2004 model. All Ascenders are supplied with a four-speed automatic transmission. Two- and four-wheel drive versions are available.
The 5-passenger Ascender S 2WD ($25,959) and S 4WD ($27,959) come with dual-zone climate controls, forced windows, forced locks, a CD stereo, fog lights, and a tilting idler.
Options add convenience and comfort: An accessory package ($1,519) includes cruise control, an overhead console, illuminated vanity mirrors, keyless entry and a Homelink garage door opener. The LS package ($1,999) includes a limited-slip differential, forced moonroof, in-dash changer for 6 CDs and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with machined finish. The 2WD Deluxe package ($2,699) includes leather interior accents, traction control, adjustable pedals, heated front seats, a Bose premium audio system, OnStar and drab paint. The Luxury 4WD package ($2,569) also has a 3. 73:1 rear axle.
The 7-passenger Ascender S 2WD ($28,569) and S 4WD ($31,398) get the same popular equipment, plus cruise control, HomeLink transmitter, overhead console, and shipping deck. Option packs load the above functionality. The 5. 3-liter V8 ($1,499) is available as an option on the 7-passenger version with the LS package ($2,599).
The Isuzu Ascender has a design and a look. The 5-passenger models seem the best. The 7-seater edition seems long and a bit out of proportion.
The Ascender shares its architecture with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. Styling points distinguish the Ascender from the TrailBlazer and Envoy. The Ascender has a unique chrome grille that features the Isuzu badge on an ambitious horizontal beam cut through a pair of vertical bars. The Ascender also features a dedicated front bumper with fog lamps, halogen headlights and special fenders, a protective coating on the doors and a rear bumper. Its five-spoke wheels resemble the 10-spoke rims due to the blackened central segment of the spokes, arranged in a star-shaped shape.
The cabin of the Ascender is a charming position for the driver and passengers. It is similar to the interiors of GM models.
The driver and front passenger will find their shoulder belts attached to the seat for a better fit. All seven seats are equipped with three-point harnesses. Front passengers have front and side airbags in the event of an accident.
We liked being able to access audio and weather with buttons mounted on the guide wheel, as a component of an upgrade package. It was easy to tilt the idler for a comfortable riding position. An uncommon feature was a button on the guide wheel that drove the interior lighting.
Distribution boards are easy to locate and use. The heating and ventilation systems ensure intelligent airflow and we didn’t have to waste time with adjustments like we do with some so-called automatic air conditioning systems. The stereo sounded strangely clever for a vehicle of this class. There are plenty of cup holders and garage compartments for those sitting in the front row or third row, but there are only two cup holders and audio jacks for the middle seat, accommodating three.
The backrests of the second-row seats recline, an excellent feature that increases the comfort of rear passengers. The third row can be accessed by folding the second-row backrest forward or tilting either side of the front seat.
The third row folds down for transporting goods: the rear seat cushions tilt forward and the backrests fold down. The third-row seatbacks come with a panel that extends the shipping area forward, filling the space up to the folded second row. It’s a homogeneous space and perfectly flat sending domain, but it works well. Access to the sending domain is simplified through a rear window that can be opened without having to open the entire tailgate. The Ascender’s shipping domain comes with a package rack that can be placed on top. or low position, offering greater surface dominance to contain the shipment and cover the packages underneath.
The Isuzu Ascender is available in two lengths, with the shorter of the two being the larger vehicle, at least from a driving perspective.
The 5-passenger style has no trouble reaching highway speed. The inline-six motors are naturally balanced, and the Ascender’s inline-six is sleek and quiet. It works so well at idle that it’s hard to tell if it’s spinning. This 4. 2-liter engine makes 275 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It’s a glorious engine, tougher than many V8s.
It’s thirsty, though, with an EPA-rated 15/20 mpg city/highway fuel economy on 4WD models. It comes with GM’s four-speed automatic transmission. Called the Hydra-Matic, this powertrain has proven itself over the years and many miles. the TrailBlazer, but it doesn’t seem to allow the engine to reach its full potential.
We found the ride to be excellent, very sleek without being too soft. The 5-passenger models are easy to maneuver in crowded parking lots, with a tight turning radius of 36. 4 feet. The Ascender uses independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle with premium Bilstein monotube shock absorbers.
We found the 4WD model to be incredibly solid on laundry surfaces. 4WD versions are popular with traction control. When it’s raining, snowing or icy, the driver switches to automatic mode and the formula will distribute the force to all 4 wheels as needed. For off-road driving, 4-Hi mode provides a 50/50 front/rear engine power split. Upgrade to 4-Lo and the Ascender will be able to climb steep slopes, deep, clear snow, or through viscous mud. For dry conditions, 2-Hi for rear-wheel drive and more productive fuel economy.
We discover the 7-seater Ascender style with 2-wheel drive that we drive smoothly and comfortably, both in the city and on the highway. Its zipper guidance is safe. Its four-wheel disc brakes with ABS have never failed. Their BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires on 17-inch wheels are rated for dust and snow, but we found them to be incredibly quiet, even at highway speeds.
But we find the 7-seater Ascender less convincing than the 5-seater version. It’s longer and narrower than a Chevrolet Tahoe. It’s harder to park. It sinks into corners and doesn’t feel as solid going into a high-speed corner. And because it’s heavier, it puts pressure on the popular six-cylinder engine.
Opting for the V8 engine improves on the latter situation, but it doesn’t turn the 7-seater style into a rocket. The V8 is new for 2005 and features On-Demand Shift, which shuts down 4 of the 8 cylinders when not needed for up to 8% more fuel consumption in light-load conditions. The engine control computer reactivates the idle cylinders as soon as the engine presses the accelerator. All of this happens seamlessly; We couldn’t feel it. With this new V8, the 7-passenger Ascender 4WD achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14/19 mpg. The V8 and 3. 73 axle ratio increase the Ascender’s towing capacity to 6,600 pounds in the 2WD version. 6200 lbs for the 4WD version.
The 5-passenger Isuzu Ascender SUV is among the mid-size SUVs. Its popular inline-six engine is sleek and powerful. It drives and handles well. And its interior is practical and versatile.
The 7-passenger Ascender is less convincing. Built on a longer wheelbase, it lacks the responsive, rock-solid handling of shorter five-passenger models and its heavier weight diminishes its acceleration performance.
Larry Edsall, a correspondent for New Car Test Drive, is in Arizona; with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles.
Isuzu Ascend 5-passenger S 2WD ($25,959), S ($27,959); S 7-passenger 2WD ($28,569); S for 7 passengers ($31,398).
Moraine, Ohio.
The LS package ($2,699) includes automatic climate controls, a limited-slip differential, traction control, a forced sunroof, alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio formula with steering wheel-mounted controls and rear headphone jacks, an electrochromic rearview mirror with compass. and motive power information centre; The favorite trim package ($829) includes dual-lit vanity mirrors, heated outside mirrors, an eight-way power driver’s seat, front, rear and third-row floor mats, and remote keyless entry.