2007 Isuzu Ascender Review
2007 Isuzu Ascender Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Smooth and powerful engine, generous passenger and cargo room.
Cons
- Soft suspension and vague steering, some subpar interior materials, aging design, seven-passenger seating option no longer available, lack of premium features.
What’s new
The extended-wheelbase, seven-passenger Ascender has been discontinued. Otherwise, Isuzu's only SUV carries over unchanged.
Edmunds says
The 2007 Isuzu Ascender offers solid GM-sourced drivetrains and engineering underneath and generous warranty coverage. But mediocre handling and interior materials and a lack of premium features prevent it from truly challenging the class leaders.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2007 Isuzu Ascender S 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$262/mo for Ascender S
Ascender S
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Despite its decades-long alliance with industry titan General Motors, tiny Isuzu has existed on the fringes of the light truck market -- and been left for dead in the sales and branding department -- for quite some time. In fact, a lack of money for new product investment and marketing in the last few years has forced Isuzu to rely almost entirely on its partnership with GM -- if it weren't for the current i-Series pickup and the Ascender sport-utility vehicle derived from existing products, it's conceivable Isuzu might have already been relegated to the retailing graveyard of American automotive history.
But soldiering on and carrying over mostly unchanged on the sport-utility side of the store is the capable, oddly familiar 2007 Isuzu Ascender five-passenger SUV, which was introduced in 2004 and is based on and mechanically similar to GM's midsize truck-based SUVs. Compared with its corporate cousins, the Ascender has slightly tweaked styling -- including a different front grille, front and rear bumpers, unique lighting and Isuzu-specific 17-inch wheels -- as well as minor interior fabric and trim variations.
The 2007 Isuzu Ascender appeals mostly as a reasonably priced value choice with otherwise solid GM-engineered credentials. Considering its low price of entry, long list of standard/available features and generous powertrain warranty, the Ascender generally matches up well with its midsize sport-utility competition. For the best deal, though, we suggest careful comparison shopping -- paying particular attention to final price and warranty terms now that some competitors have extended their coverages into Isuzu's formerly exclusive territory.
If you typically carry no more than four or five and don't mind its truck-based origins and lack of contemporary refinement, features and style -- or are a niche user looking for a capable and relatively economical medium-duty tow vehicle or confident all-weather/off-road utility vehicle and simply appreciate a good value -- then by all means put the powerful, price-competitive 2007 Ascender to the test. Keep in mind, though, that given Isuzu's marginal, class-trailing status, ultimate resale value will be lower on the Ascender than on other more mainstream -- and more desirable -- rivals like the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner.
Performance & mpg
The Isuzu Ascender is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Either way, a 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder rated at 291 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque is under the hood. Although a V8 is no longer available, this smooth and impressive inline-6 engine has shown itself capable of outmuscling other competitors' V6s and many of their V8s, too. It's mated to GM's proven-but-aging four-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimates are 15-16 mpg/city and 21-22 mpg/highway, depending on drivetrain. When it's time to work or play, though, properly equipped Ascenders can tow up to 5,800 pounds with the standard trailer hitch.
Safety
All 2007 Isuzu Ascenders include antilock disc brakes, tire-pressure monitoring and stability/traction control technology; side curtain airbags are available. Government crash tests yielded three out of five stars for frontal-impact protection and a top-ranked five stars for side impacts (when equipped with side-curtain airbags); the independent IIHS rated the Ascender "marginal" -- the second lowest of four rankings -- in frontal-offset crash testing.
Driving
On the road the 2007 Isuzu Ascender offers a solid, powerful presence and a well-cushioned ride, but falls short of more evolved, well-rounded midsize SUVs. Though now-standard stability control is a welcome addition at the limit, our editors report the Ascender is generally plagued by sloppy handling and "loose" steering with vague on-center feel sometimes requiring correction when headed straight down the highway. Road feel is hard to discern and response to driver input can be both slow and numb, exacerbating the problem. Off-road, though, the Ascender comes more into its own and is more sure-footed; it's capable of tackling the typical obstacles one encounters while accessing trailheads and campsites -- mountaintops, too -- with the available four-wheel-drive hardware.
Interior
The five-passenger Isuzu Ascender might appeal to young, value-conscious families or empty-nesters who don't need three full rows of seating. Though the Luxury package adds inviting leather and wood trim, other interior materials and detailing are similar to those of its GM cousins, which is average at best. If you can overlook its truckish lack of refinement, there are more than 80 cubic feet of cargo space out back with the rear seat folded -- about mid-pack among its competitors.
With the rear seat up, the Ascender offers decent accommodations for two adults, provided they can fit through the narrow rear door openings. Although there's plenty of legroom and foot room to go around, a low-mounted seat bottom cushion forces some tall persons to sit with their knees high and legs uncomfortably splayed apart. Storage space is not particularly plentiful, though rear passengers score a pair of average-size cupholders that can hold larger beverages than the undersized holders up front.
2007 Isuzu Ascender models
The 2007 Isuzu Ascender is a well-equipped five-passenger midsize SUV available in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Two-wheel-drive S models include standard features like tire-pressure monitoring, foglights, powered accessories, dual-zone air-conditioning with rear-seat climate controls and a CD stereo. Select the Preferred Equipment Package (PEP) as most do to add privacy glass, power driver seat, remote keyless entry and cruise control -- or spec a 4WD S model and you'll get them anyway.
Upgrading to the midlevel LS package adds a limited-slip rear differential, a moonroof, outside mirror defrosters, steering-wheel audio controls and an in-dash CD changer. The fully loaded, gotta-have-it-all Luxury package gets you leather seating with power/heated front seats and driver-seat memory, power-adjustable pedals and six-speaker Bose sound. To maximize your listening choices, both these models may also be equipped with optional satellite radio.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2007 Isuzu Ascender.
5 star(68%)
4 star(14%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(0%)
51 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.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Drive it before you buy it
great deal by Jeff, 06/28/2006
2006 Isuzu Ascender S 7-Passenger 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
Large suv, plenty of room for all sized people and cargo. Has plenty of power with 6 cylinder; if you are looking for a large suv check it out but drive it before you buy it. It is large, but you can get a good deal on pricing. Get the preferred package which adds to its good looks and you get lots of extra goodies.
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.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Good SUV
AYGARCIA, 06/24/2010
2007 Isuzu Ascender S 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I like my ASCENDER 2007, but don't like the front seat belts. They scratch my neck and I have to keep pulling them away for a while. The seat belts are too low. Also, the tire maintenance sensor lights went on the first week I bought it and they've been on for 3 years, even though the tires are brand new, including the spare tire! I wish it had keyless entry and better sound system. … The center console is too fragile. Other than that, it is a good car to drive.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2007 Isuzu Ascender, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ascender since its last redesign.
2007 Ascender Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,959 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $262/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:
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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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