The Isuzu Axiom is a mid-size SUV that Isuzu introduced in 2001 for the 2002 model year. Derived from the Isuzu Rodeo, it was meant as Isuzu’s answer to car-based SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander and replaced the Trooper as the company’s flagship in the United States. It was sold only in the United States and Costa Rica and was built alongside the Rodeo at Subaru Isuzu Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana.
Isuzu Axiom at a glance
| Maker | Isuzu, built at Subaru Isuzu Automotive |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–July 2004 |
| Class | mid-size SUV |
| Based on | Isuzu Rodeo |
| Assembly | Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
| Markets | United States and Costa Rica |
| Trims | base and XS |
| Engine | 3.5 L V6, 230 hp; 250 hp with direct injection from 2004 |
| Drive | rear-wheel drive or Torque-On-Demand four-wheel drive |
| Replaced by | Isuzu Ascender |
based on one source (English Wikipedia)
History of the Isuzu Axiom
An SUV to stop the slide
The Axiom was Isuzu’s attempt to join the fast-growing market for car-based SUVs, although it kept the truck platform of the Rodeo. It was built at the Subaru Isuzu Automotive plant in Lafayette, Indiana, and sold only in the United States and Costa Rica. Its peculiar styling and truck-based chassis were poorly received in the marketplace.
Equipment and engines
Two trim levels were offered: the base model and the up-level XS, which added fog lamps, a sunroof, heated front seats, an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, twelve-speaker premium audio and leather upholstery. The name came from a contest won by Dr. Hakan Urey of Redmond, Washington, who suggested it and received his own Axiom in 2001. The car used Isuzu’s Torque-On-Demand four-wheel-drive system, and in 2004 a direct-injection 6VE1-DI V6 with an Aisin Warner AW30-40LS automatic raised power from 230 to 250 hp. At the same time the Axiom gained a chrome bar grille and chrome trim on the tailgate.
The end of Isuzu passenger cars in America
The Axiom was discontinued in July 2004 and the Lafayette plant was retooled for the Subaru B9 Tribeca. With the Rodeo and Axiom gone, Isuzu no longer offered Japanese-built passenger vehicles in the United States; from 2004 to 2009 its range there consisted only of rebadged GM vehicles. The Axiom had been foreshadowed by the 1999 Isuzu ZXS concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, and Isuzu also built three Axiom concepts, the 2001 XSF, 2002 XSR and 2003 XST. The Chinese maker Great Wall later copied the design for its Haval H3/Hover, and an Axiom appeared in the 2001 film Spy Kids and its 2002 sequel. In 2013 a recall covered Axioms with severely rusted frames, NHTSA campaign 13V547000.
Design and features
- Distinctive shape: an angular body that divided opinion and sold poorly.
- Rodeo underpinnings: a truck platform in a market moving to car-based SUVs.
- Torque-On-Demand: four-wheel drive that engaged automatically.
- XS trim: sunroof, heated seats, premium audio and leather.
Isuzu Axiom versions
- Axiom base (2002–2004): 3.5-litre V6 with 230 hp.
- Axiom XS (2002–2004): the better-equipped version.
- Axiom 2004: direct injection, 250 hp, chrome grille and tailgate trim.
- Concepts: ZXS of 1999, then XSF (2001), XSR (2002) and XST (2003).
The Axiom was based on the Rodeo and was replaced by the Ascender; it also succeeded the Trooper as Isuzu’s American flagship. More models are in the Isuzu collection.
Video: 2002 Isuzu Axiom 4×4 Test – 4x4TV Test Video
Video by 4x4TV on YouTube.
Sources
- Isuzu Axiom, English Wikipedia: history, trims, engines, recalls
