What Is It?
2006 Isuzu i-Series
What's Special About It?
Who would have thought the collaboration that brought us the Chevy LUV would rise from the ashes to work its "magic" on yet another compact pickup? Not us, but we were there when Isuzu introduced its "new" i-Series lineup of small trucks that look suspiciously like GM's Colorado and Canyon twins.
Actually, Isuzu wasn't shy about highlighting its long-standing partnership with GM. We asked if there were any major differences between the Isuzu's trucks and their GM counterparts and the answer was a roundabout version of "not really."
Dubbed the i280 and i350, Isuzu's trucks will only be offered in one body style each. The 175-horsepower, four-cylinder i280 will come as an extended cab only in four levels of trim. The base trim is your bare-bones work truck with each additional level of trim adding more features and options.
The i350 comes as a 4WD crew cab only with a 220-hp, 3.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. Three levels of trim will be offered with no bare-bones model like the i280. Both trucks have interiors that are identical to their GM counterparts, meaning lots of cheap gray plastic and skimpy seats. It's a straightforward design, however, so if all you want is a basic work truck, the i-Series will do.
If there's any reason to consider the i-Series over the Colorado and Canyon, it might be the price. Isuzu didn't announce official MSRPs, but it did hint that the i280 and i350 might have a price advantage over their GM twins. Combine that with Isuzu's 7-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty and Isuzu's badge engineering job doesn't look like such a bad deal.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Sales of GM's compact trucks haven't been great so it's hard to believe that Isuzu's identical i-Series trucks will do much better. A lower price and a longer warranty may help, but ultimately both Isuzu and GM are going to need a better truck to compete. — Ed Hellwig
2006 Isuzu i-Series
What's Special About It?
Who would have thought the collaboration that brought us the Chevy LUV would rise from the ashes to work its "magic" on yet another compact pickup? Not us, but we were there when Isuzu introduced its "new" i-Series lineup of small trucks that look suspiciously like GM's Colorado and Canyon twins.
Actually, Isuzu wasn't shy about highlighting its long-standing partnership with GM. We asked if there were any major differences between the Isuzu's trucks and their GM counterparts and the answer was a roundabout version of "not really."
Dubbed the i280 and i350, Isuzu's trucks will only be offered in one body style each. The 175-horsepower, four-cylinder i280 will come as an extended cab only in four levels of trim. The base trim is your bare-bones work truck with each additional level of trim adding more features and options.
The i350 comes as a 4WD crew cab only with a 220-hp, 3.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. Three levels of trim will be offered with no bare-bones model like the i280. Both trucks have interiors that are identical to their GM counterparts, meaning lots of cheap gray plastic and skimpy seats. It's a straightforward design, however, so if all you want is a basic work truck, the i-Series will do.
If there's any reason to consider the i-Series over the Colorado and Canyon, it might be the price. Isuzu didn't announce official MSRPs, but it did hint that the i280 and i350 might have a price advantage over their GM twins. Combine that with Isuzu's 7-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty and Isuzu's badge engineering job doesn't look like such a bad deal.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Sales of GM's compact trucks haven't been great so it's hard to believe that Isuzu's identical i-Series trucks will do much better. A lower price and a longer warranty may help, but ultimately both Isuzu and GM are going to need a better truck to compete. — Ed Hellwig
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