2001 Isuzu Ascender 5.3L V8 4AT 4WD (300 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Isuzu took advantage of having General Motors as one of its main partners, and in 2002, it introduced the 2003 Ascender on the U.S. market as a rebadged Chevrolet Trailblazer.

General Motors bought more than 30 percent of Isuzu’s shares in the early 70s and supported the Japanese automakers in many ways. Both car manufacturers joined forces when they produced the Isuzu Amigo/Opel Frontera and even involved Honda in the project. In the early 2000s, customers shifted attention towards SUVs and crossovers, a segment where Isuzu was known for its products. As a result, Isuzu launched the Axiom, which unfortunately wasn’t that successful, so the Japanese brand had to quickly find a way out and produce cheaper and more appealing vehicles. Together with GM, it found the solution: the 2003 Isuzu Ascender. This mid-size SUV with up to three rows of seats was a badge-engineered Chevrolet Trailblazer, a vehicle that enjoyed some success on the market.

At the front, customers could notice that the 2003 Isuzu Ascender and the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer were the same vehicles. Their headlights were almost identical, with taller outer sides than the inner ones, creating a menacing look for the car, but they didn’t have a horizontal slat to cross them, like on the Trailblazer. Between them, the automaker installed a reshaped grille featuring a horizontal slat and two vertical ones with the Isuzu badge in the middle. Lower, the gray or body-colored bumper had a second air intake in the middle and was available with rectangular fog lamps.

The 2003 Isuzu Ascender looked attractive to its customers with its slightly ascending waistline. Its rugged appearance was emphasized by the flared wheel arches that sported black moldings around the angular-shaped wheel arches. Furthermore, the doors were protected by horizontal rubber stripes adorned by chromed trims. At the back, the automaker installed short, vertical taillights resembling those installed on the Axiom. They flanked the tailgate that featured an independent opening for the rear window. Below, the wrapped-around plastic bumper could be optioned with a trailer hitch.

But still, those who stepped inside the 2003 Isuzu Ascender could notice some significant styling differences compared to the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The dashboard was redesigned and featured round vents instead of rectangular, like those from the bow-tie branded product. At the same time, the center stack looked cleaner, with fewer buttons. Furthermore, the Ascender had the button that controlled the 4×4 system placed on the center console instead of next to the audio system. But just like its Trailblazer stablemate, the Ascender could host up to seven passengers, thanks to an available third row of seats in the trunk.

Under the hood, the 2003 Isuzu Ascender was available with a choice of two engines: a 4.2-liter inline-six and a 5.3-liter V8. Both were married with a four-speed automatic gearbox that sent the power to the rear or in all corners, depending on the option. The car was no significantly different than other GM SUVs, featuring a front independent suspension and a five-link live axle in the back.