1998 Isuzu Rodeo Review
1998 Isuzu Rodeo Review
View more photos
Used Rodeo for sale
Appraise This CarSee 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
- Silky V-6 engine. Stylish interior. Rugged exterior. Roomy rear seat.
Cons
- Disconnected steering. Lousy 4WD button placement.
What’s new
Though it may not look like it, Isuzu has completely revised the Rodeo from top to bottom, giving it more modern styling, a user-friendly interior, more V6 power and added room for passengers and cargo.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo S 4dr SUV 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
$212/mo for Rodeo S
Rodeo S
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Choices in the sub-$30,000 sport-utility class are numerous. Figuring out which truck best meets your needs almost always requires a compromise of some sort or another. The closest thing to perfect has been the Ford Explorer, and spectacular sales of this popular SUV prove that buyers find its combination of room, style and power the best in the segment.
The Explorer is a fine sport-ute, but there's a new face in this neighborhood that deserves consideration. Meet the all-new Isuzu Rodeo, which has been completely re-designed. As you can see, styling is evolutionary, retaining the trademark egg-crate grille and blistered fenders of the old model. The new look is familiar yet contemporary and the 1998 Rodeo is one of the more ruggedly handsome SUVs available today.
Inside, a new interior provides cupholders, excellent ergonomics, the industry's most perfectly designed steering wheel, comfortable seats front and rear and plastic trim that looks anything but. Clamber aboard and head for the hills; it's easy with push-button 4WD and standard antilock brakes to thwart nature's attempts to impede your progress.
Buyers can select either a hatchback that lifts up from top to bottom, or a hatchgate, which employs flip-up glass and a tailgate that swings from right to left. The full-size spare tire can be stored under the vehicle or on the hatchgate. S and LS trim levels are available. The basic Rodeo has two-wheel drive and a weak 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Step up to the S V6 and a 205 horsepower 3.2-liter unit whisks you along with verve. LS models are loaded with standard equipment.
Problems with the new design are minimal. The location of the push-button 4WD switch is absurd, located directly next to the cruise control button where it could be activated accidentally. Off-road, the new Isuzu feels somewhat undersprung, but takes bumps and dips easily if speeds are kept down. Finally, there are no rear cupholders for the kiddies.
The new Rodeo is an excellent blend of old-fashioned truck toughness and modern day car-like convenience. If you're looking for a new $30,000 SUV, this one should be near the top of your shopping list.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Isuzu Rodeo.
5 star(33%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(20%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(4%)
66 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Satisfied
ccarnes, 01/31/2011
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
I have put 50K hard miles on my Rodeo in less than 3 yrs.
bringing the total miles upto 160,000.Twice a week I drive 130 miles over three different high elevation mountain passes.I have always felt safe and never gotten stuck.I have made a few minor repairs(brake pads twice, alternator,EGR,fuel pump and I had to disconnect the horn ) and now it appears that the computer may be going … out.Sometimes it dies immediately after starting up, idles roughly, & there is a minor delay in the acceleration.The Check Engine light comes on, but it will not give the code reader a code.This sucks, but I am more than happy to put in the time and $ to fix it.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Great car, just the best
luke702, 08/20/2013
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
I've had over 20 cars including high end (such as MB S600, etc).
This car has outlived every single one, and I'm sure it will outlive military tanks!
Recently I had to sell it, which I didn't want to do, at the time the car had about 280K miles and was still running strong.
Loaned the vehicle to a friend who abused it for a couple of years, and still the car NEVER had ANY problems.
The … VERY FEW things that I had to fix were minor.
3.38 out of 5 stars
I Don't Know What Happened?
ANGIE KING, 04/29/2005
1998 Isuzu Rodeo S 4dr SUV
When I bought my Rodeo a little over a year ago it was running fine, no problems when we bought it. It had 85000 miles on it. We did the regular maintenance. Well when the thing hit 100,000 miles we decided to change the timing belt as recommended; everything went down hill from there. First the belt was done wrong so the valves were smashed. Its been 10,000 miles since the belt was … changed. We have since replaced the water pump, the thermostat 3 times, the radiator, the drive belt, the belt tensioner, the hoses, we have had the head resurfaced and let me tell you the parts for these things don't come cheap. I love the look of my Rodeo - it is a very rare orange color, if it would just run!
4 out of 5 stars
My "Beater with a heater"
quagmire86, 11/09/2013
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
I bought this rig that ran but had an overheating problem.
Previous owner said the water pump was bad.
I paid $600 for it cuz it was in poor shape.
I replaced the water pump and timing belt but it still overheated.
Common problem with the Rodeo (3.2L)V6 were bad head gaskets. Since it was a project vehicle, I had time to work on it.
I spent many weeks going from head to tail … repairing/replacing issues with it.
The SUV is somewhat unrefined (due to age) but I love driving it.
Major issues with this car is the frame rusts out from rear axle back and is a recall/safety issue.
I love my Rodeo and though I don't "Off-Road" with it, it is great even with 206,000 miles on it.
Love it!
I ended up giving the truck to my step-daughter since she needed a vehicle and I try to provide. I didn't need the truck but it was hard to let it go since it was so fun to drive. Sure, it is somewhat "Unrefined"...but that is what I found endearing. The suspension/ride was not soft or overly-pleasant but it was built on a truck frame. The seats probably weren't meant for comfort on a long trip but it was enjoyable around town and short trips. The 3.2 liter engine was powerful and at no time did I find it anemic. If Isuzu would have sprung for the higher quality steel (frame rusting is an issue with these) and forecasted the market better, they could still be a player in the SUV market. Honestly, I miss my Rodeo. I am still searching for one that I can resurrect and enjoy.
1998 Rodeo Highlights
S
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $212/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
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 RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic 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 – OriginalPoor
- 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
Related Used 1998 Isuzu Rodeo info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Kia Soul 2018
- Used Suzuki Kizashi 2012
- Used Bentley Mulsanne 2017
- Used Volvo XC90 2018
- Used Lexus LC 500 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 BMW i4
- Kia Niro EV 2023
- 2023 Porsche 911
- 2024 MINI Countryman
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- 2025 Audi A3 News
- Porsche Boxster 2023
- 2025 BMW i4 News
- 2023 Volvo V60
- 2023 F-350 Super Duty
Other models
- Used Lotus Evora-400 in Bourbonnais, IL
- Used Lexus GS-300 in San Bruno, CA
- New Ford F-150-Lightning for Sale in Tahlequah, OK
- Used Lexus GS-430 in Okeechobee, FL
- New Genesis G90 for Sale in Fuquay Varina, NC
- Used Chevrolet Cavalier in Havertown, PA
- Used Lexus LS-430 in Matteson, IL
- Used Audi Q8-Sportback-E-Tron in Maple Valley, WA
- Used Lexus GS-350 in Georgetown, KY
- Used Mercedes-Benz 300-Class in Redford, MI