1998 Isuzu Rodeo Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
16 - 20 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(53 Total Reviews)
Excellent Truck
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr LS 4WD Wagon
Review
Excellent truck. Bought it in 2001, still running. I spent around $1000 over 8yrs. Highly Recommend. The issues I have with this truck is rough drive compared to the Pathfinder.
Favorite Features
Reliable. Sleek look.
Suggested Improvements
Rodeo Input
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
Best ride on the road. Minor problems. No obvious oil leaks after 10 years of use and 200,000 miles.
Favorite Features
Ability to move efficiently and quickly.
Suggested Improvements
Gas mileage ok, could be better.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
A great buy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr LS Wagon
Review
My husband and I bought this vehicle over 3 years ago. It already had 107,000 miles on it, but the dealer assured us it still ran great. I must admit, in the 3 years we have driven it, we have never had a single problem with it. It now has 161,000 miles and still runs great.
Favorite Features
large trunkspace.
Suggested Improvements
The seats and headrests are not the most comfortable.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Mechanical nightmare
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
I'm a 19 year old college student and last year, my dad bought me a Rodeo to drive to and from school (4 1/2 hours each way). I chose it thinking it would be a good, reliable vehicle with low maintenance costs. I was wrong. Come to find out, these engines are extremely problematic and I have yet to see a car with this engine over 170,000 miles. A comparable Toyota 4Runner will run twice as long with no problems. There is a reason why Isuzu's things depreciate so quickly. My 150,000 mile Rodeo burns about a quart of oil every 600 miles, so I always have to have some on hand. And the parts are ridiculously expensive, often higher than comparable parts for a BMW--literally.
Favorite Features
Styling - this car looks great and draws a lot of compliments. And the storage capacity is great, too. I can fit all of my stuff for my dorm into it. Mine has a manual transmission, so it's more fun to drive than other comparable SUVs. The 4wd is great. I've never gotten stuck.
Suggested Improvements
The engine. I'm a mechanic, and nothing under the hood makes sense. I have to remove the skidplate just to change the oil. And the timing belt is a pain compared to other engines. I did mine myself, but if I had had to pay someone to do it, I would never have been able to afford it.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great Light SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
I love my Isuzu and have beat the hell out of this thing. Rolled it once on ice, smashed into a fence post, and ran over the guard rail when I fell asleep on the way home one night. It keeps on ticking with out any issues except using some oil. Horrible gas mileage but other then that great SUV!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
A good-looking headache
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
I am an 18 year old college freshman. I got this car senior year (last year) because it's a 4 1/2 hour drive to and from home and school. I got this car thinking that it would be a good, reliable vehicle. Unfortunately, I'm now stuck with an oil-burning mess that depreciates alarmingly fast. I'll fix one thing, only to have two more problems emerge. This car is so frustrating. I do like the power. I have to check my speedometer often, because if I don't, I find myself going way too fast. I also like the manual transmission. I do enjoy the rarity of a stick shift midsize SUV. The shifter is really long and the clutch is awkward, but hey, it's a truck. I expected that.
Favorite Features
Power, looks, rugged body-on-frame construction, the way it should be. Also, it gets good mileage for a V6 4WD SUV-19 to 23 mpg depending on conditions. As for the ride, it's very stiff-just the way it should be in true SUV. The interior is rather Spartan and functional. The 4WD is great, too
Suggested Improvements
The engine-frequent problems and parts that are often as expensive as those for a BMW-no kidding! Also, the clutch is ok if you're used to it, but anyone that's not has a really hard time driving it smoothly. Also, it needs more ground clearance-it really scrapes off road.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
KY Sucker
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
We bought the Rodeo just in time for the engine to throw a rod a month after we bought it. We liked everything about it except for that misfortune. Since, we have heard Isuzu engines are prone to problems. I am disappointed in Isuzu for not standing behind their product. With so many problems, who will buy their vehicle? NOT ME!
Favorite Features
Looks. Roomy.
Suggested Improvements
Get cracking on that engine - it needs some help there.
BAD ENGINE! BEWARE!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 Wagon
Review
My Rodeo drove ok. Power not bad for a V6. But LOOKOUT when you get some mileage on it. At about 93,000 miles the engine started losing coolant. I could not see it leaking anywhere. I took it to the shop assuming the head gasket was leaking into the cylinder and burning there. If that was the problem, it would have been a $3000.00 dollar fix. The repair shop called with bad news. A head bolt broke in the block and could not be repaired. A second hand engine with 70,000 miles would have been a $5000.00 repair. After paying $3000.00 for AC work I decided not to fix it. When just out of warranty, the Isuzu rep did not replace my rusted out fog lamps. I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING ISUZU!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Reliable engine.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
1998 Isuzu Rodeo
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr S V6 4WD Wagon
Review
I purchased my Isuzu Rodeo as a used vehicle with 6450 miles on it. I have since added another 81,000 miles, and have absolutely no complaints about the vehicle's performance. Outside of standard maintenance (changing fluids, brakes, tires, charging the A/C, etc.) and proactively changing both the timing belt and water pump at 60,000 miles (no mechanical problems with them), I have only had to change 3 sensors (drive shaft, power steering and O2). Ergonomically, the dash is laid out very well, the A/C and heating vents are well positioned, visibility is excellent, the arm rests on the door and console are comfortable, and the cargo space is very good. My cloth interior wears very well.
Favorite Features
The stylish look of the vehicle is probably my favorite feature. Although my vehicle is 8 years old, it still looks new and does not look dated in style.
Suggested Improvements
Improvements can be made in the following: 1)Stiff, hard seats should be more comfortable; 2) Accessibility to the tire iron; and 3) Rear door design. Access through a lift up or side opening door rather than opening the window and then the bottom half of the door is awkward and impractical.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
2nd Rodeo
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4 Dr LS Wagon
Review
I love my 98 Rodeo; it's my 2nd, the first was a 97. I have had some costly problems with it however. At 97,000 miles, a transmission, numerous sensors, fuel indicator, and other small things. The body, living in the sun, is still in fantastic shape and the truck is large enough to fit my family but not too bulky. Can go just about anywhere in it. The gas mileage could be a little better.
Favorite Features
The looks, (really nice with chrome rims on silver body), cargo room, handling,
Suggested Improvements
Standard sunroof, 3rd row seating, preferably leather, and some work on the transmission and engine.
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