Until recently, if you had asked me to recommend a pickup, I would have mumbled for a few minutes and eventually come up with a list of possible candidates which almost certainly wouldn't have included the Isuzu Rodeo. Now that I've driven the 2007 version, I think I may have to introduce it to the calculations.It's not so much that the old Rodeo was a bad car (which is just as well, because the new one is mechanically very similar). It was just that I couldn't possibly see myself spending any significant amount of time in something which - as mentioned in our launch report - had the ride quality of a Space Hopper.Pickups have become really quite civilised over the last few years, and even with the improvements the Rodeo still isn't class-leading in this respect. But at least I now feel in control over it, and the risk of my breakfast paying a return visit every time I take to the road has gone from Red Alert to Negligible.Apart from the suspension work that has made this possible, the new Rodeo also benefits from a certain amount of restyling (principally at the front) and a new 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine which, with a maximum of 134bhp, is more powerful than either the 2.5- or the three-litre units it replaces.Actually, the performance benefits are marginal, and I doubt anyone would notice much difference between the old and new models. There's enough power to be getting on with, and lots of grunt at very low engine speeds, and that's all that matters. Perhaps more importantly, the new 2.5 is almost exactly as economical as the old one, and significantly more so (4.2mpg on the combined cycle) than the 3.0 was.The interior has been mildly restyled too, and with good effect, though Isuzu's claim that the fascia "would not look out of place in an upmarket executive saloon" is pushing things a bit. The dials are more high-tech than before, the retrimmed seats are impressively comfortable and the handbrake is in the correct place, next to the gearlever, rather than protruding out of the dash as it unaccountably still does in some rival machines.The basic body structure is the same as before, so once again the Rodeo has an unusual amount of room for both front and rear passengers compared with other pickups. The only problem with the rear is that elongated chaps like myself can easily thump their heads against the bodywork while clambering in, but for anyone less than six feet tall this probably won't be much of an issue.I didn't take this particular vehicle off-road, but since there are no major mechanical changes, apart from the introduction of the new engine, I think we can assume that the impressive capability of the old car has been carried forward. There's a four-wheel drive system, of course, and a low-ratio gear range if you're being really serious about this, but you can also save fuel by sticking with rear-wheel drive for normal road use.Switching from one mode to another doesn't involve hauling on any levers. Instead, there are three buttons just above the ratio marked 2H, 4H and 4L for two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and four-wheel drive low ratio. Altering the number of driven wheels can be done on the move at speeds of up to 60mph, but no matter how often you prod the 4L button you can't select low range unless the Rodeo is at a standstill.The five-speed manual gearbox itself has been revised and now has a higher top gear, which not only helps high-speed fuel economy but also makes the Rodeo a surprisingly effective long-distance cruiser.There are three trim levels, the most basic being the Denver. The other specifications are also called Denver, but with the addition of Max (meaning mid-range, confusingly enough) and Max LE (the really fancy one). Isuzu expects the majority of buyers to choose the Denver Max, but the entry-level model is reasonably well-equipped, with 16" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, keyless entry, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a trip computer and a radio/single-CD audio system with MP3 and iPod capability.The Denver Max costs £2000 more, and for that you get various off-roady bits such as chrome side steps, a front A-bar, a rear step bumper, brushed steel door entry guards, a Bluetooth phone kit and a 6-CD autochanger.Available later this year, the Denver Max LE will get a Prodrive Performance Pack (taking maximum power to around 160bhp), plus 18" wheels, leather seats and door trims, a hardtop and DVD satellite navigation, among other goodies.Whichever model you pick, the Rodeo has a substantial loading compartment that's 1380mm long and, at its narrowest point, 1020mm wide. The payload is 1075kg, and for off-road purposes the Rodeo's ground clearance is 205mm, with approach, departure and ramp angles of 34, 21 and 21 degrees respectively. Engine 2499cc, 4 cylinders Power 134bhp Fuel/CO2 34.9mpg / 213g/km Acceleration 0-62mph:12.8 seconds Top speed 103mph Price £13,990 (excluding VAT) Details correct at publication date
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