Used 2002 Isuzu Trooper
Edmunds' Expert Review
- Large interior, capable off-road ability, outstanding visibility, moderate price.
- Unrefined truck-like handling, mediocre power from V6, limited availability of features and equipment.
Other trucks simply offer more. Consider a Trooper only if you are a diehard Isuzu fan.
Vehicle overview
Well over a decade ago, Isuzu introduced the first Trooper. It was a tough truck, sturdy and boxy in style, with two doors and a sparse interior. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, the original Trooper wasn't prepped to win any drag races, but the truck won fans for its off-road prowess and exceptional reliability. Soon, a four-door model joined the lineup, and a GM-sourced V6 engine became available. As the sport-utility market grew, luxury amenities were added to the Trooper, but by the early nineties, it was apparent that Isuzu needed to redesign the Trooper so that it could remain viable in a market populated by steadily improving competitors.
The Trooper's last significant update came in 1998. Continued refinements have given the Trooper a decent blend of style, comfort and utility. Fold the rear seats, and a Trooper can carry 90 cubic-feet of cargo. Ground clearance measures 8.3 inches with the manual transmission, and rear seat passengers enjoy ample legroom.
A 3.5-liter, 24-valve DOHC V6 powers the Trooper, pumping out 215 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. Torque on Demand, Isuzu's traction system, which instantly directs more power to the front or rear wheels as needed, is standard on four-wheel drive Troopers with an automatic transmission. With the system engaged, you get the on-road stability of all-wheel drive and off-road capability of part-time four-wheel drive. And with the generous 10-year/120,000-mile powertrain warranty, you can use and abuse your Trooper to its fullest capacity.
Although the four-wheel drive may have been slightly off-putting in terms of value for those of us whose idea of rough terrain is the dirt parking lot of the sweet corn stand, the cheaper two-wheel drive version, with its concurrent lower cost of ownership, will suffice nicely to traverse that mean pothole in the parking lot at Denny's.
Just make sure to avoid any low speed collisions with solid objects. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Trooper's repair bills in four different 5-mph crash tests totaled more than $11,000, the highest numbers ever recorded for such tests. Just backing up into a typical parking light pole at 5-mph resulted in over $3,300 worth of repair bills, not exactly your typical fender bender.
In addition to the basic S model, there's the LS, which comes with heated cloth power seats, mesh 16-inch alloy wheels, an automatic transmission and standard six-CD changer. The Limited edition will get you a two-tone paint scheme, 12-spoke alloy wheels, power moonroof, and a beige leather interior. However, some features starting to appear on newer SUVs aren't available on the Trooper. These include items like stability control, side and side curtain airbags and a folding third-row seat.
Up until this year, the Trooper has been one of our favored trucks because it had loads of personality and off-road ability. It also filled a nice slot between midsize SUVs and the larger maxi brutes. But 2002 has brought on better trucks, ranging from the Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer twins and General Motors triplets to the Toyota Sequoia. In the face of better engines, more comfortable interiors and more features, the Trooper's personality doesn't count for much when 30-plus grand is on the line.
2002 Highlights
Sponsored cars related to the Trooper
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2002 Isuzu Trooper.
Trending topics in reviews
- comfort
- off-roading
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- value
- appearance
- interior
- spaciousness
- handling & steering
- ride quality
- seats
- driving experience
- dashboard
- doors
- towing
- visibility
- safety
- sound system
- climate control
- maintenance & parts
- fuel efficiency
- oil
- transmission
- engine
- warranty
- emission system
- lights
- wheels & tires
- acceleration
- electrical system
Most helpful consumer reviews
I bought my Trooper new in April 03 and have loved the experience other than the transmission had to be replaced at least 3 times. Since they put a rebuilt tranny in each time the dealer said that you never know how the quality would be. Luckily I've had the warranty and will definitely get rid of the truck when it hits 120,000 miles although I would have preferred to keep it longer. I don't like the way it burns oil either.
It is hard to describe the ownership experience for me with this vehicle. I guess it can almost be described as happiness and sorrow combined. The vehicle itself is a high quality vehicle( which I will miss when gone) which rides on shocks and rear springs (nice). Plenty of power, big, unique, cool, and comfortable. Problem was with Isuzu disappearing in North America. Was assured by dealer they could continue to service when they dropped Isuzu franchise. My transmission was serviced and failed. Had to wait 18 days to get fixed at authorized Isuzu dealer. Second one failed again. Replaced again at no cost. Still love the vehicle, but Isuzu disappearing and other issues caused anguish.
I love my Trooper - I have driven it over 60,000 miles and it has never gone into the shop. We moved across the country 2 times - the Trooper provided for a comfortable ride, and handled mountains wonderfully. The Trooper was large enough to fit our 2 large bloodhounds comfortably - for 2 days of driving (never heard a peep out of them). I especially love how well I can see the road from my Trooper.
Has been very reliable over the years. Fuel economy could be better . After 110,000 began to burn a bit of oil. Best to check it at least every 300 miles. Towing capacity is OK. Limited to speeds 55 MPH or less otherwise transmission will heat up. Was under warranty when water pump went out. Replaced starter at 130,000 miles. Other than normal maintenance which includes belts and hoses vehicle is original. Unfortunately the Isuzu became salvage after an accident in January 2018. At the time of the accident the miles attained were 198,887. The insurance company totaled it out. There is a slight possibility that it is running the streets under a salvage title.
Features & Specs
| Limited 4WD 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 4A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 14 city / 18 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 215 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Limited 2WD 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 4A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 14 city / 18 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 215 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| S 4WD 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 4A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 14 city / 18 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 215 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| LS 4WD 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 4A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 14 city / 18 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 215 hp @ 5400 rpm |
FAQ
Is the Isuzu Trooper a good car?
Is the Isuzu Trooper reliable?
Is the 2002 Isuzu Trooper a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2002 Isuzu Trooper?
The least-expensive 2002 Isuzu Trooper is the 2002 Isuzu Trooper S 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,105.
Other versions include:
- Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $36,660
- Limited 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $34,660
- S 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $29,405
- LS 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $32,690
- LS 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $30,690
- S 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A) which starts at $28,105
- S 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5M) which starts at $28,555
What are the different models of Isuzu Trooper?
More about the 2002 Isuzu Trooper
Used 2002 Isuzu Trooper Overview
The Used 2002 Isuzu Trooper is offered in the following submodels: Trooper SUV. Available styles include Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), Limited 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), S 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), LS 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), LS 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), S 2WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A), and S 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5M).
What do people think of the 2002 Isuzu Trooper?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2002 Trooper 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2002 Trooper.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2002 Trooper featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2002 Isuzu Trooper?
Which 2002 Isuzu Troopers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2002 Isuzu Trooper for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper.
Can't find a new 2002 Isuzu Troopers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Isuzu Trooper for sale - 4 great deals out of 20 listings starting at $10,703.
Find a new Isuzu for sale - 12 great deals out of 24 listings starting at $18,752.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2002 Isuzu Trooper?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Isuzu lease specials