1997 Isuzu Hombre Review
1997 Isuzu Hombre Review
View more photos
Used Hombre for sale
Appraise This CarIsuzu Hombre types
- Regular Cab
- Extended Cab
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Inexpensive price, clean styling, 4-wheel ABS
Cons
- Warmed over Chevy S-10 pickup, no V-6 option, no passenger airbag
What’s new
A Spacecab model debuts, with seating for five passengers and your choice of four-cylinder or V6 power. Other news includes two fresh paint colors and revised graphics.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre XS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M) 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 $3.58 per gallon for regular unleaded in Delaware.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Delaware
$193/mo for Hombre XS
Hombre XS
vs
$239/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
Sporting sheetmetal stamped by General Motors do Brasil, and basic mechanical and structural components of the Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma twins, the Hombre is Isuzu's entry the compact pickup market. Sporting two-wheel drive, a regular cab, and a weak 2.2-liter four cylinder engine upon debut in 1996, the Hombre was not exactly the stuff truck buyers craved.
For 1997, Isuzu introduces a Spacecab model that can be equipped with a 4.3-liter V6 engine teamed to a four-speed automatic transmission. While this new model may jump-start Hombre sales (this editor has seen two Hombres on the road, both of which were equipped with a large refrigerated box in place of a bed), the two new colors and revised graphics that are new this year likely will not.
At least the Hombre is somewhat of an improvement over the aging Japanese-built pickup the company marketed in 1995. Four-wheel antilock brakes and a driver airbag are standard on both models. However, crash test scores, based on the performance of the structurally identical Chevy S-10, are worse than they were for the old Isuzu truck, particularly for the front passenger. Horsepower and torque with the the GM 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is better than the old truck boasted, and fuel economy has improved. However, front legroom has diminished slightly, payload is down a couple hundred pounds, and the turning circle has widened. This is progress?
Hombre regular cab is available in S and XS trim levels, and options are few. S models are the workhorse Hombres, with vinyl floor covering and options limited to air conditioning, a stereo, and a rear step bumper. XS models are better-equipped, offering custom cloth upholstery, carpeted floors, and a tachometer. All Spacecab models have XS trim.
Isuzu hasn't been selling many pickups in the past several years. As personal use pickup sales skyrocketed, the company stuck with marketing basic trucks more suited for work than play. First impressions indicate that the Hombre will do little to change Isuzu's fortunes in this segment.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Isuzu Hombre.
5 star(50%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(20%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
10 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Hombre-Good Small Pick-Up
lawfr, 02/14/2004
1997 Isuzu Hombre S 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
The Hombre "is what it is" and that's
a small utilitarian pick-up truck. It
could use some more power, but on the
highway, once you attain cruising
speed, you move right along no
problem. This is a great well priced
functional small pick-up. No
mechanical problems, very comfortable
seating, and easily accessible
controls, and the air is cold.
5 out of 5 stars
Hombre lasted 16 years
Amy Markoff, 09/24/2018
1996 Isuzu Hombre S 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I owned a 1996 izusu hombre metallic green for 16 years. I bought it new and being a 4 cylinder got over 30 mph. Loved this car and took it upstate new york for many trips. Never let me down. Cried a little when I got a new 2012 Wrangler. Amy
3.5 out of 5 stars
160,000 miles and still running
kcbh, 08/18/2010
1997 Isuzu Hombre S 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Lowered it 3" ft and bk and put on 17" rims/tires, it corners solidly. Truck is sliver with dark windows with retro wheels.I removed the rear bumper and applied a spray on bed liner. The 5 speed transmission still works good and the engine (2.2) runs fine but lifters clatter a bit. Constant 25-28 mpg. I've driven the truck for 152k miles and haven't ran into any more problems than you … would any other cheap truck. AC compressor, heater core, ft end parts and a new radiator this year. Plus the normal maintenance parts. I'll spend a few hundred dollars a year to fix anything that goes wrong and have complete confidence that it will take me anywhere I only spent $3800 when it only had 8k miles.
3.88 out of 5 stars
Good lil' truck!
sprog, 02/11/2011
1997 Isuzu Hombre XS 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Got it new in 1/98.
Have 125k on it now.
Alternator went out at 110k, and A/C compressor went out at 113k.
Replaced both coil packs recently, and one sensor was acting up - which directly affected the coil packs.
Other than that - absolutely nothing has gone wrong.
That ain't too bad for 13 years and that many miles.
Very, very, very dependable unit.
The tires can be a bit of a pain to … change if you have a flat.
Have actually had to take a sledge-hammer to the inner-sides of the tire to bang them off rims, but other than that small annoyance, this thing has been absolutely great to deal with.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre, so we've included reviews for other years of the Hombre since its last redesign.
1997 Hombre Highlights
Regular Cab
XS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $193/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 2,000 lbs. |
Safety
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 – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1997 Isuzu Hombre info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota Corolla 2013
- Used Honda Pilot 2017
- Used Buick Enclave 2018
- Used Subaru Impreza 2019
- Used Buick Enclave 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 HUMMER EV
- 2024 Porsche Boxster
- 2025 BMW 4 Series
- Jeep Wagoneer L 2023
- Nissan Titan 2024
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
- Jaguar XF 2023
- 2023 Dodge Hornet
- 2023 Silverado 3500HD
- Bentley Bentayga 2023
Other models
- Used Rivian R1T in Lewis Center, OH
- Used Ferrari 612-Scaglietti in Jackson, NJ
- Used Volkswagen Arteon in Newport, KY
- Used Mitsubishi Galant in Casper, WY
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-3500-Classic in Morristown, TN
- Used Cadillac Ats-Coupe in Ellenwood, GA
- Used Ford E-Transit-Cargo-Van in Flushing, NY
- Used Chevrolet Monte-Carlo in Norman, OK
- Used Chrysler 300 in Attleboro, MA
- New Audi RS-5 for Sale in Pompano Beach, FL