Isuzu i-Series

Introduction The Isuzu i-Series pickup truck line was launched at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. The i-Series replaces the Isuzu Hombre, which has been out of production since 2000. Like the Hombre, the i-Series shares its platform with the General Motors mid-size pickups. It is built at the same plant in Shreveport, Louisiana which produces the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, which were in turn developed off the chassis of the Thai-built Isuzu D-Max by GM, Isuzu, and GM do Brazil.

The i-Series will likely be the last new model line sold by Isuzu in the American market as years of falling sales have all but forced Isuzu to stop selling passenger vehicles in the US. i-Series sales have been poor, with just 1,377 sold from the start of production through February 2006 according to Automotive News.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Isuzu i-Series Review.

Recent Changes
There are only engine changes for the 2007 model. The Atlas LK5 inline-4 of the i280 has been enlarged to 2.9 liters giving it an increase of 10 hp to 285 and 5 lb-ft of torque to 190. The Atlas L52 inline-5 engine is enlarged to 3.7 liters with a boost of 22 hp and 17 lb-ft of torque. The i-350 is now the i-370, and the i-280 is now the i-290.

Styles and Major Options
The i-Series is available with two cab configurations, two engines, two transmissions, two drivetrains and two trim levels. The base model i-290 is available only in extended cab, 2-wheel drive configuration, with a choice of S or LS trim and manual or automatic transmission. The i-370 features a choice of extended or crew cab, LS or Luxury trim, and automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is offered only on i-370 Crew Cab models.

Pricing
Today's actual prices by city can be found for the i-290 and i-370 can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
EPA Estimates for various trims of the Isuzu i-Series are as follows:

Reliability

 * RECALL ALERT: GM, Isuzu recalling 185,000+ small pickups over faulty brakelights

Safety
Standard Safety Equipment
 * Daytime Running Lamps
 * Dual-Stage Driver and Front Passenger Airbags
 * 4-wheel ABS
 * Side Impact Door Beams

The 2007 i-Series was tested by the NHTSA and the full results can be found at safercar.gov.

Colors


Main Competitors

 * GMC Canyon
 * Chevrolet Colorado
 * Ford Ranger
 * Mazda B-Series
 * Dodge Dakota
 * Nissan Frontier
 * Toyota Tacoma

Hybrid Models
There are no hybrid models of the i-Series in production, nor are any planned for the future.

Criticisms
Reviews of the i-Series are scarce, being a badge-engineered vehicle. Critics of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon on which the i-Series is based, have been mostly about its smaller-than-average dimensions and lack of power from the thirsty 5-cylinder. GM claims the "power of a V6 and the fuel economy of an inline-4", although it seems the stats are reversed.

Worldwide
The D-Max chassis is used in other pickup models across the Far East and South America.