1999 Isuzu Hombre Review
Price Estimate: $1,872 - $2,933
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Inexpensive price, clean styling, standard ABS.
Cons
- Warmed-over Chevy S-10 pickup.
What’s new
Hombres receive additional exterior colors and a new bumper fascia. A three-door spacecab model is now available.
For sale near Plainville, CT
Vehicle overview
The Hombre is Isuzu's entry in the compact-pickup market, built with sheetmetal stamped by General Motors and the basic mechanical and structural components of the Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma twins. When it debuted in 1996, the Hombre came with two-wheel drive, a regular cab and a weak, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine-not exactly the tough stuff truck buyers craved.
Isuzu introduced a spacecab extended-cab model, a 4.3-liter V6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission in 1997. Last year, four-wheel drive became available. And for 1999, Hombres boast a change in bumper design and a third-door option. But while these small improvements are slowly accumulating, the Hombre pickup is not likely to take the world by storm just yet.
Built in the United States, Hombres are available in a variety of cab and powertrain configurations, ranging from a standard-cab, 2WD model with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine to a 4WD, 4.3-liter V6 spacecab model featuring an optional third door.
The regular-cab versions are available in S and XS trim levels, and options are few. S models are the workhorses, with vinyl floor covering and limited options that include air conditioning, stereo and rear step bumper. Hombre XS models are better equipped, offering custom cloth upholstery, carpeted floors and a tachometer.
Extended-cab models are offered in XS trim only and provide vinyl folding jump seats in the rear and easy-entry seats in the front. If ordered with the optional third door, the truck comes equipped with only one jump seat. Four-wheel antilock brakes and a theft-deterrent system are standard on all models, and 4WD Hombre buyers will enjoy standard alloy wheels. New colors to choose from this year include Indigo Blue, Meadow Green and Victory Red.
Isuzu hasn't been selling many pickups in the past several years. As personal-use pickup sales skyrocketed, the company stuck with basic trucks more suited for work than play. Only time will tell if the Hombre can change Isuzu's bleak forecast in this segment.
Isuzu Hombre Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
I Love My Hombre
5 out of 5 starswolvesdaddy, 11/30/2002
1998 Isuzu Hombre XS 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
After over 3 years, I love This truck.I
have had a few minor problems, but
Isuzu always fixed everything under
warranty.This is my second Isuzu truck,
and I keep going back to Isuzu due to
the warranty that is offered.
Good value - same as chevy S-10
4.75 out of 5 starswowski, 09/20/2002
1998 Isuzu Hombre S 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I have owned this Hombre since it was
new. Have only experienced a few
problems. The front idler arm and
pitman arm needed to be replaced and
there was a small oil leak. It has
plenty of power thanks to the V6. Also
noteworthy is the addition of 4 wheel
disc bakes. This is a terrific vehicle.
Hombre-Good Small Pick-Up
4.63 out of 5 starslawfr, 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.
Hombre lasted 16 years
5 out of 5 starsAmy 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
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 Isuzu Hombre, so we've included reviews for other years of the Hombre since its last redesign.
1999 Hombre Highlights
Extended Cab
XS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $172/month |
rear wheel drive | |
Max Towing Capacity | 5,500 lbs. |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5PassengerNot 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 – OriginalMarginal
- 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
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