Isuzu Ascender

Isuzu Ascender

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2003–2008
Assembly	Moraine, Ohio, United States (SWB) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States (LWB)
Predecessor	Isuzu Axiom (For 5-Passenger Version) Isuzu Rodeo (For 5-Passenger Version) Isuzu Trooper (For 7-Passenger Version)
Successor	GMC Terrain
Class	Mid-size/Full-size SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	GMT360 GMT370 (EXT)
Engine(s)	4.2 L Vortec I6 5.3 L Vortec V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	113 in (2870 mm) (SWB) 129 in (3277 mm) (LWB)
Length	191.6 in (4867 mm) (SWB) 207.6 in (5273 mm) (LWB)
Width	76.1 in (1933 mm)
Height	71.9 in (1826 mm) (SWB) 75.5 in (1918 mm) (LWB)
Related	GMC Envoy Chevrolet TrailBlazer Buick Rainier Oldsmobile Bravada Saab 9-7X Chevrolet SSR

The Isuzu Ascender was a mid-size/full-size SUV built by General Motors for Isuzu. Introduced for the 2003 model year, the 7-passenger Ascender was a re-badged GMC Envoy. It replaced the Japanese built mid-size Isuzu Trooper. A shorter 5-passenger model was made available for the 2005 model year as a replacement for the Rodeo and the Axiom. A Displacement on Demand V8 was introduced in 2005. Isuzu once offered a wide line of trucks, cars, and SUVs but the Ascender was Isuzu's last and only passenger vehicle until the introduction of the also slow-selling Isuzu i-Series pickup trucks, which were also built by GM in North America. The Ascender was never sold in Canada or in Mexico Isuzu had announced, at the time, its withdrawal from there.

The Ascender was the only one of the six mid-size SUVs that was not actually a GM branded product (Isuzu was partially owned by GM until spring 2006). The 7-passenger Ascender was dropped after the 2006 model year. Reviews warned of a thin dealer network for warranty repairs, and the Kelley Blue Book projected a relatively low resale value similar to the Trailblazer. However, Isuzu offers a seven-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty, and substantial factory incentives.

5-passenger Ascender

The Ascender ended production on June 6, 2008 as part of Isuzu's withdrawal from the United States market. The Ascender (along with the related GMC Envoy) were both replaced by the 2010 GMC Terrain, based on the GM Theta platform.

Engines:

• 2003–2008 LL8 4.2 L (256 in³) I6
• 2003–2004 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8
• 2005–2007 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8 with Displacement on Demand

References

• Media related to Isuzu Ascender at Wikimedia Commons