Isuzu Trooper History
Catalog record
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History
The Trooper reached the US for the 1984 model year at an introductory price of $8,683, powered by a 1.9-liter four-cylinder with part-time four-wheel drive — arriving just as American buyers were discovering truck-based SUVs. It was among the first of its breed in the US market and helped establish the segment.
A second generation launched in 1991 with a larger, more refined body and, from 1998, a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 215 hp. The same vehicle was sold under the Acura badge (SLX, 1996–2000) and widely rebadged for other markets — a testament to the Trooper's solid underpinnings.
Rising competition from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota eroded Trooper sales through the late 1990s, and a controversial Consumer Reports rollover-risk rating in 1996 — later disputed by Isuzu and NHTSA — damaged its reputation further. Production ended in 2002, replaced in the US by the Axiom and the rebadged GMC Envoy-based Ascender.
Generations
First generation · UCS
The original US Trooper: a compact body-on-frame 4x4 in 3- and 5-door forms, evolving through 1.9L, 2.3L, 2.6L four-cylinder and, from 1989, a 2.8L V6.
1984 Photo: “File:1984 Isuzu Trooper (8880199931).jpg” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1987 Photo: “File:1987 Isuzu Trooper SWB (14441779019).jpg” by Charlie from United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1989 Photo: “File:1989 Isuzu Trooper II RS in Echo Park, front left.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · UBS
Larger, more refined body; the 1998 refresh added the 215-hp 3.5L V6. Sold also as the Acura SLX (1996–2000).
1992 Photo: “File:Isuzu Trooper 3.2 LS 1992.jpg” by RL GNZLZ / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1997 Photo: “File:1997 Isuzu Trooper Citation LWB.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1998 Photo: “File:1998 Isuzu Trooper DT LWB 3.0 Front.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1999 Photo: “File:1999 Isuzu Trooper Citation DT LWB 3.0 Front.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2000 Photo: “File:Isuzu Trooper 3.5 2000 (14816911670).jpg” by order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- 3-door SUV
- 5-door SUV
Notable special editions & performance variants
Acura SLX
The Trooper sold through Acura dealers as a near-luxury badge; identical mechanically, with added equipment.
Related models
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