2003 Isuzu Rodeo Review
Price Estimate: $1,179 - $1,913
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Stylish exterior, great powertrain warranty.
Cons
- Cheap interior pieces, flaccid suspension, uncomfortable front seats, questionable build quality.
What’s new
Rodeo receives no major changes for the 2003 model year.
Edmunds says
Even Honda finally got rid of its version of the Rodeo this year. Pick it only if you have a soft spot in your heart for Isuzu.
For sale nationwide
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$201/mo for Rodeo S
Rodeo S
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Isuzu Rodeo Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great SUV
4.5 out of 5 starsBryan, 04/30/2010
2003 Isuzu Rodeo S V6 Rwd 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
I bought this car new in 2003 for my wife. Having owned a 1994 Rodeo with 180,000 with no problems I knew this was the way to go and I wasn't let down. Our 03 rodeo now has 130,000 miles and still drives like new. We've performed regular oil changes and had a new timing belt installed at 70,000 miles. (not because it was giving us problems, that's just what you do at $70,000 miles) but … that's it! This car has never been in the shop. This car is so inexpensive to own and maintain. You simply can't beat a rodeo!
Homeowner, Fisherman, Hobbyist
4.75 out of 5 starsPicky Driver, 08/16/2007
2003 Isuzu Rodeo S V6 Rwd 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
Very dependable. Great rear bumper is a 6 inch wide rest, a shelf or a seat when tailgate is open (like no other SUV has). Also, because back window lifts up separate from the tailgate, I can carry 12 ft long pipes and lumber just extending 2 feet out the back window while it is nearly all the way down. The seats lay down as a flat surface unlike most SUVs that leave the passenger seats … at an angle when folded downward. CONS: I notice that the paint chips at each rock dent (lacks flexibility) then quickly rusts underneath. Tires squeal in tight turns even at idle speed. What other compact SUV is built to tow over 4000 pounds? It pulls a 17' fiberglass boat easily on road or in & out of ramps.
Awesome Car
4.88 out of 5 starsWolf83, 02/22/2003
2003 Isuzu Rodeo S V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
One of the bet SUV's I've ever driven.
Awesome Power, needed a little more
interior refiniement but overall a
great vehicle. Has great offroad
capability. Helps to have Spare on the
hatch. I love this SUV.
I love it!
4.25 out of 5 starsBrandi, 01/16/2006
2003 Isuzu Rodeo S V6 Rwd 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
I love it. I traded my tiny Camaro in for this lovely SUV. This is actually our 2nd Rodeo to own and we love it. I like the length of the warranty. It covers just about everything that could go wrong. We had a Honda Passport and although they resemble each other they are nothing like each other. The Honda was a LEMON but our Rodeo is an Angel. The interior is nice and roomy and the seats … are very comfy (we do NOT have lumbar support, you only need that if you are like 100 years old). The trunk area is large enough to hold all of our luggage for family vacations plus some and then we still have the luggage rack on top. I love the size of the vehicle because it's not small but not big.
2003 Rodeo Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $15,999 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $201/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 33 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 50,000 miles |
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 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 – 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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