2005 Isuzu Ascender Review
2005 Isuzu Ascender Review
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Used Ascender for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Strong six- and eight-cylinder engines, simple interior design, plenty of passenger and cargo room, long warranty.
Cons
- Spongy suspension, numb steering, low-grade interior materials, odd exterior proportions, poor expected resale value.
What’s new
New options include XM Satellite Radio and a side curtain airbag system (available midyear). The 5.3-liter V8 now includes Displacement-on-Demand technology to improve fuel economy and is rated for five more horsepower this year for a total of 300.
Edmunds says
Capable, roomy and packing optional V8 power, the Ascender's longer warranty makes it worth considering over its nearly identical Chevrolet and GMC cousins.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender S 5-Passenger Rwd 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$251/mo for Ascender S 5 Passenger
Ascender S 5 Passenger
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Isuzu Ascender.
5 star(81%)
4 star(3%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
31 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Love my Assender S 4x4.
JOHN TROKA, 02/23/2016
2005 Isuzu Ascender S 5-Passenger 4WD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have had my Isuzu Ascender for 11 years now and the only thing that went wrong is the gas gauge stopped working and the speakers on the passenger side stopped working that's it, rides great , quiet ride, good gas mileage 17/25 , pull's trailers great, so far so good, and love the 4x4, 139,000 and running great, running synthetic oil I feel is the best because it doesn't break down … keep's it lubricity.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great Buy
Gail ETaylor, 01/07/2010
2005 Isuzu Ascender LS 5-Passenger Rwd 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
This is my second Asscender. I love them its very dependable I have had this one soon to by 5 years other than regular maintenance only one shop repair has occurred in 5 years. This is the best SUV I have owned. I would recommend it to anyone.
4.75 out of 5 stars
I would buy a second one!!!
sanabu, 05/03/2008
2005 Isuzu Ascender Limited 7-Passenger 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
It is a real shame that Isuzu will no longer offer personal automobiles as of January 1, 2009. My 2005 Ascender Limited is probably one of the best buys I have completed based on value and acquisition. I wrote my first review on this car on 6/05. I liked the car then and now I just love it. 72000 miles later the truck still has that new feel. When it was brand new the radio broke and it … was fixed by the dealer promptly. Other than that just standard maintenance. Everything works on this SUV. Last time I rated the mileage as a 5. Now I'm rating it as a 7 as the truck will usualy do between 18 to 20 miles per gallon which is not bad for the size of truck that I am driving. No complaints.
2.88 out of 5 stars
Lots of electrical probs starting at approx 80,000mi. Listed in order of failure: check engine light came on 'thermostat', speedometer, fuel gauge and oil pressure gauge at 105,000mi.
mysuzuki, 01/09/2014
2005 Isuzu Ascender Luxury 5-Passenger 4WD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
Dealer where I purchased the vehicle said none of the probs were covered under warranty because of the mileage. I called Isuzu corporate office and they said there is a "policy extension" on the fuel gauge to 120,000mi. The policy extension has a 'campaign number issued for it. " SB 13-04-S004 (fuel sensor).They referred me to another dealer who has ordered the part for the fuel gauge. … However, they say the 'instrument cluster" needs to be replaced and it is not certain that the fuel gauge will work unless it is replaced and some or all of the probs may or may not work unless the instrument cluster is replaced.
Footnote: A linkage part in the transmission shifted broke at approx 100,000mi
2005 Ascender Highlights
S 5 Passenger
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,959 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 43.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Ascender include:
- Alarm
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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