Vehicle Review: 1999 Isuzu Amigo
W
ell, the name sounds friendly enough, Amigo, but with an available
3.2L 205-HP V6, this little guy can quickly become the neighborhood
bully. Compare this power plant to that of the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4,
or the Chevy Tracker and the Isuzu Amigo has given the competition a
good ole' butt whoopin'. The 1999 Isuzu Amigo is a far cry from the
first Amigo introduced to the U.S. in the late 1980's. Isuzu has
created this power packed little sport-ute by using the same great
power plant found in the Amigo's older brother the Rodeo. With this
much power and a curb weight just over 3700 lbs., the Amigo can rush
to sixty miles an hour in just under 8 seconds. While the new Amigo
shines with the new power plant, the interior accommodations have been
upgraded as well.
Interior
The interior of the 1999 Amigo is available with all of the essential
amenities. Power windows, power locks, and air conditioning are available
in all trim models. The dash is well organized and all switches and knobs
are within easy reach. The available 6-disc in-dash CD changer fitted in
our test vehicle was a lifesaver on long freeway excursions. The instrument
cluster is well organized and houses all the necessary gauges to monitor the
potent power plant. The front seats offer great lumbar support, supportive
side bolsters, and enough adjustment for even our jumbo testers. The rear
seating area is by no means enormous, but in comparison to other two door
sport utilities in its class has ample space for two adults. New for 1999
is an available hard top and dual sun roofs. The hard top adds a bit of
refinement for those seeking a small sport utility without the noise of a
soft-top. The available hard top also makes the new Amigo more appealing
to those not living in year round sunshine. Both the front and rear
sunroofs are removable and Isuzu has included storage bags and lash down
points in the rear of the vehicle for them when removed. Another feature
that many outdoor enthusiasts will find handy is the auxiliary power outlet
located in the rear storage area. Our test vehicle was also equipped with
remote keyless entry and electric side view mirrors.
Driving impressions
On the road the 1999 Isuzu Amigo really shines with the new power plant,
making highway passing a breeze. The Rack and pinion variable assist
steering provides just the right amount of feedback at all speeds to
make the driver feel in complete control. Its small size and car like
handling make the Amigo a great point and shoot traffic machine. The
Amigo shows slight signs of under steer during high speed cornering,
but a slight lift from the throttle puts the little Amigo back in place.
Our vehicle was equipped with a push button winter start and power shift
transmission modes. The winter start feature allows the driver to take
off from a stop with out wheel spin in slippery conditions. Putting the
transmission in power shift mode lets the engine rev higher between shifts
and really crispens the throttle response. Combining the Power shift mode
and the tight limited slip differential installed in our test vehicle meant
that care had to be taken leaving stoplights after a rainstorm. Yes, it does
turn a few heads when you spin the tires away from a stoplight in a 1999
Amigo! Off road the 1999 Isuzu Amigo will continue to impress. Off the
shelf with independent double-wishbone control arms, torsion bars, and gas
filled shocks, the front suspension will swallow up all but the largest bumps.
The rear suspension consists of a 5-link design with coil springs, stabilizer
bar and direct, double-acting gas-filled shock absorbers. While wheel travel
is not immense, the limited slip differential kept the Amigo climbing even
when a tire lost contact with the ground. The Amigo felt very balanced and
controlled in slow speed off-roading, but got a little out of shape during
high-speed washboard road testing. A quick lift of the right foot put the
Amigo back in line. The V6 engine really shines off road making great usable
torque for controlled hill climbs. With a little practice, and careful driving
the Amigo can go places other sport utilities in its class can only dream of.
| NOTE: All ratings on a scale of 1 to 4 with flat tires equal to a half. |
| Description |
Notes |
Rating |
| On-Road Performance |
The Amigo is quick and responsive and very car like. The V6 makes this vehicle a joy to drive. |
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| Off-Road Performance |
Very good low range gearing and lots of V6 torque make easy work of the steepest hill climbs. A very tight limited slip differential allows the Amigo go were others in its class fear to tread. |
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| Drivability |
Handling and power are well matched making the Amigo easy to whip through traffic. Really puts the "sport" in sport utility. |
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| Comfort |
Ample leg and head room for even the largest testers. More room than many of the other vehicles in its class. |
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| Appearance |
The short wheel base and wide stance make the Amigo look very aggressive. |
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| Price in comparison to related vehicles |
Fully loaded and with the V6, the Amigo is a better value than the RAV4 and Honda CRV. |
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| Editors Notes |
If you are looking for a fun to drive, extremely capable sport utility and you only need 2 doors then the Amigo is the vehicle for you. Don't waste your time with the 4 cylinder, the V6 is worth every extra penny...JC |
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