Isuzu Trooper
These days, the 4x4 market is dominated by technical and engineering masterpieces that seem to push the boundaries beyond what’s possible. However, as time as gone on, these titans have become soft as people are more interested in their practicality rather than their functionality. If you’re looking for a seriously hardcore off roader, turning back the clock can uncover some impressive treasures. The Isuzu Trooper is one of the best.
The Trooper roared onto the 4x4 scene in 1981, and enjoyed many years of dominance until production was halted in 2002. It’s a monster in every sense of the word; huge in size, performance and ability, you certainly won’t be left wanting. It even has a serious amount of motorsport pedigree, winning everything from the Australian Safari to the Paris-Dakar Rally in the early 90s. Clearly it’s a force to be reckoned with.
The best way to describe the Isuzu Trooper in terms of design is ‘function over form’. It’s not stylish in the slightest, and looks like a big box on wheels, but that’s not why you’d buy one. The interior is just the same, although it’s massively spacious, supremely practical and comfortable nonetheless. With a high driving position, you simply tower above everything else on the road.
You’d choose the Trooper for its off road ability, and everything else is secondary. There’s a massive V6 engine that provides enough pulling power to probably move the Earth, and it doesn’t hold back on the road either. Even though it’s happier summiting mountains or smashing through sand dunes, it’s adequate on the tarmac and can be driven as an everyday car, but don’t expect anything special. It’s set up for off roading, and that’s just that.
Buying a second hand Isuzu Trooper from Motors.co.uk is the best way to get hold of this Brutus for almost nothing. As it’s been out of production for years, it won’t cost he world anyway, but with huge price discounts available online, you’re looking at a bone fide bargain. In the value for money stakes, this 4x4 trounces anything else in its class.
So what you get with the Isuzu Trooper is a mammoth 4 wheel drive machine that can conquer pretty much any terrain it comes across. As a commercial or agricultural vehicle it’s one of the best ever, but can just as easily be used by families who live in difficult driving areas. While the on-road ability is questionable, if you’re heading into the wilds there’s really nothing better to use.