All New Rodeo Pickup

The new Rodeo has a braking system especially designed for demanding commercial use and features large 280 mm ventilated front discs for the 4x4 and 295 mm rear drums. Rodeo 4x2 models feature 256 mm front discs and 254 mm rear drums. The dual-circuit braking system has tandem servos measuring 216.3 mm and 188.4 mm.

In addition, all Rodeos have a sophisticated three-channel, four-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

The Rodeo 4x2 Single Cab has 195 R 14 tyres mounted on 14 x 5.5 ins steel wheels while the Double Cab carries 215/70 R 15 tyres on 15 x 6.5 ins steel wheels.

Larger tyres still are fitted to the Rodeo 4x4 Single Cab – 225/75 R 15 – while the range-topping Denver boasts 245/70 R 16 tyres encasing 16 x 7 ins alloy wheels.

Rugged Yet Refined Suspension And Steering

Rugged yet refined best describes the new Rodeo’s suspension which combines the toughness needed for heavy-duty use with more precise steering and a smoother ride than its competitors.

New for the Rodeo is rack-and-pinion power-assisted steering as used on virtually all passenger cars. This replaces the less precise recirculating ball steering of its predecessor. Most one-tonne pickups still persevere with recirculating ball which lacks the feed-back and precision of the Rodeo’s system.

Front suspension for all Rodeos is independent for a better ride, employing wishbones and coil springs for 4x2 models and wishbones and torsion bars for the 4x4. Torsion bars free up extra space for axle articulation but are tuned for similar handling characteristics to the 4x2 Rodeos. Both versions also have an anti-roll bar.

Standard rear suspension layout for a one-tonne pickup is a live axle suspended by semi-elliptic steel leaf springs. This is favoured by hard-working contractors because of its simplicity, durability and ability to absorb punishing payloads.

However, for the new Rodeo, Isuzu has carefully tuned the rear springs to work in harmony with the front suspension to reduce the unladen choppiness displayed by many rival models.

Ride comfort is further enhanced by the standard fitment of gas-filled double-acting shock-absorbers for both the front and rear suspension.

Reassuring Warranty

All Rodeos sold by official importer, Isuzu (UK) Limited, enjoy a three year/60,000 mile ‘bumper-to-bumper’ mechanical warranty plus six years’ anti-perforation cover.

Rodeo owners also benefit from full membership of Isuzu Assistance which provides three years’ cover comprising ‘at home’, roadside and European repair or recovery.

Thanks to engineering improvements and the use of high-quality oil, maintenance intervals are twice that of many competitors at 12,000 miles or 12 months.