Most popular Isuzu VehiCROSS for sale

Isuzu VehiCROSS

Manufacturer Isuzu
Also called VX
Production 1997–2001
Class Compact sports SUV
Body style 3-door SUV
Engine 3.2 L V6 Japanese Edition
3.5 L V6 US Edition
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase 91.8 in
Length 162.6 in
Width 70.5 in
Height 66.9 in
Related Isuzu Trooper
Similar Jeep Wrangler
The Isuzu VehiCROSS was a halo car for the SUV-specialist company Isuzu. Produced from 1997 (Japanese market 1997-1999) through 2001 (US market 1999-2001), it shared much of its components with the Trooper, including both its 3.2 L and 3.5 L V6 engine that produces 215 bhp @5400 RPM and 230 ft·lbf) @3000 RPM of torque. The vehicle also featured the TOD (Torque on Demand) 4-wheel Drive system produced by BorgWarner. It is a small, sporty 2-door crossover vehicle with aggressive external styling, including wheels towards the ends of the vehicle, an aggressive forward stance, titanium "teeth" in the grille, a black hood-insert, and black plastic cladding the entire lower half of the vehicle. The VehiCROSS came equipped with 16" polished wheels in 1999 and 18" chrome wheels during the remainder of production.

The VehiCROSS was highly regarded for its cross-terrain performance. It is the first and only vehicle to date that combines a computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system for on-road driving and a locked-differential low gear four-wheel-drive system for off-road driving. Its computer controlled "Torque on Demand" system, with 12 independent sensors detecting wheel spin and redirecting power to the wheels with the most traction, gives the VehiCROSS a high level of traction on wet and icy roads. It also has a high level of performance for its height. While possessing a nimbleness on-road that is unique in the SUV world, its body-on-frame truck construction and unique suspension and 4WD gearing made it very capable off-road. As such, it neither truly fit with traditional 4x4 vehicles, with its on-road refinement, nor the crossover SUV market, with its decidedly off-road construction and ability. It is as capable as the best of commercially available 4x4 vehicles, yet maintains on-road manners that were unique for its time.

Sales were intentionally limited, with only 4,309 vehicles being produced in total, and just 4,153 finding homes in the United States in three years of sales. As it stands, the vehicle has an obscure role in history. It has a character which straddles the on/off-road divide that is still unmatched today with current crossover vehicles that may best it in one category, but have yet to match its off-roadability.

Contents
1 Manufacture and Release
2 Design Team
3 In Motorsport
4 In Popular Culture
5 Production Details
6 External links

Manufacture and Release
Upon its unveiling at the 1993 Tokyo International Auto Show and ultimate Japanese production release in 1997, the VehiCROSS was a design ahead of its time. It was the first time that a Japanese automaker had brought a concept vehicle to production with so little design changes and in so short a time (accomplished through the use of inexpensive ceramic body-stamping dies and the reuse of readily-available Isuzu parts) . The truck was intended to showcase Isuzu's off-road technology, exemplified by the monotube shocks with external heat-expansion chambers.
Motor Trend featured the VehiCROSS on its May 1999 cover, and included it in its "Top 10 Sport Utilities" for Most Unique Styling.

I like the style. Love the color combination interior and exterior. I dislike only the door windows always need to help the glass up otherwise it will come of track , but is ok. I bought it because of the style and dependability, big 6 cylinder engine and four wheel disk brakes.

o What I like: An extremely rare, limited production, unique one-of-kind SUV with 215 HP, awesome looks, bullet-proof construction, Torque-On-Demand traction system, all in a bright Yellow color. When off-roading and the transfer case is shifted into Low-Range 4WD, all four(4) wheels are then "posi-locked" for ultimate traction without slippage.

o What I dislike: The driver-side & passenger-side power electric windows have a bad problem of getting "off-track" and becoming stuck halfway up requiring expensive repair at the ISUZU Dealership. Once fixed, the same side window problem often re-occurs at some point later on. The vehicle has extremely poor rear visibilty out the small slit of the back window, requiring the use of an RV style window "magnifier", and reliance on the outer side mirrors. A rear-mounted back-up camera would greatly help in precise reverse manuevering. In addition; the vehicle had to be shipped to me, and I did not like the service rendered by the shipper D.A.S. (Dependable Auto Shippers) as they delayed the overall shipment of the vehicle and it arrived excessively late well beyond the original estimated arrival date.

o Why did I buy it: Because I won it on eBay for an awesome price (well below the Kelly Blue Book value), it is extremely rare, was the exact Yellow color I wanted, and in great shape (never wrecked or taken off-road). Via E-mail, the seller also answered all my questions throughout the process and never lied to me or hide any details. We used ESCROW.COM as the "conduit" to complete the transaction, and it is truly the only safe way to conduct an on-line/internet vehicle purchase while protecting both the buyer and the seller.