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Isuzu Amigo
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The Isuzu Amigo was an early compact SUV that was aimed more at the sporty side for people who wanted a car that could go off-road but was also fun and enjoyable. It had a detachable rear roof that allowed the back passengers to ride in convertible. The first generation of the Amigo was discontinued in 1994, but was restarted with a second generation when General Motors took a commanding role in Isuzu.
1989-1994
Introduced in the spring of 1989 into the United States, this compact sport-utility really turned it’s focus on the sport rather than the utility end.
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Encyclopedia
The Isuzu Amigo was an early compact SUV that was aimed more at the sporty side for people who wanted a car that could go off-road but was also fun and enjoyable. It had a detachable rear roof that allowed the back passengers to ride in convertible. The first generation of the Amigo was discontinued in 1994, but was restarted with a second generation when General Motors took a commanding role in Isuzu.
1989-1994
Introduced in the spring of 1989 into the United States, this compact sport-utility really turned it’s focus on the sport rather than the utility end. The Amigo, as it was known in the US, came with both 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive models. A very small , 2.3 liter 4ZD1 engine came standard with the 2wd and the 4 wheel drive came with the 2.6 liter 4ZE1 engine. Both models came in only 5 speed manual transmissions except for the 1993 model. There were very limited options for the early Amigo including air conditioning, two seats or four and two trim models to choose from S or XS. Some of the changes throughout the years included, 1991- small cosmetic alterations to the 1990 model, 1992 4 speed automatic transmission was finally added; also the 2.3 liter 4ZD1 engine was retired, all models came with the 2.6 liter 4ZE1 engine standard. 1993 had no major changes. In 1994, a high mount rear stop light was added, power steering was standard, power mirrors. Along with a limited number of XS-F editions ( "F" standing for "Frontera" ) this version had a few more options such as power windows and locks, and a 4 wheel ABS system although inactive in 4wd low range and only active on the rear wheels in 4wd-hi range. This version of the Amigo had only 49-state emissions (reasons unknown). There are no official sales numbers but most dealers agree there were less than 75 sold. The only badging that shows this model is a sport blue XS symbol with a sport-font "F" beside it (also sport blue). The Amigo was dropped by Isuzu in 1994.
1998-2003
The Amigo made a comeback in 1998 with a newly redefined model. The new Amigo shared the same body styling and sheet metal as the Rodeo, but with shorter wheel base and stiffer frame. Both models were built in the assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana with the more modernized look. Amigo came standard with a soft top, similar to the Jeep Wrangler. Exterior differences in the Amigo and Rodeo other than the wheelbase includes a rear mounted spare tire, 16 inch tyres, larger fender flares and the two door vs. Rodeo’s four door.
The Amigo shares the same interior as the Honda Passport. Standard features on the Amigo included split folding rear seats, tilt steering, dual power ports, power windows, mirrors and door locks, keyless entry and AM/FM CD players.
The newer Amigo seats 5, however 4 people can ride comfortably.
Amigos with the 2.2L engine are few and far between, mainly because previous owners complained to Isuzu that a V6 needed to be standard. Although a small SUV, it still weighed 4,250 pounds, needing a lot of horsepower for everyday driving. Isuzu’s answer to this was the 3.2 liter, 6VD1 V6 that carried pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm which is the same motor that the Rodeo carried. On the charts, the Amigo gives good torque to towing a 4,500 pound boat. Fuel consumption on the Road is an estimated 22 MPG Highway.
From a technical prospective, the Amigo is built with a rigid frame that has 8 crossmembers. Front suspension has independent lower and upper arms, with a solid rear axle. Riding in the Amigo can feel much like a full size truck, feeling a lot of bumps in the road. All units came with Airbags and side impact door beams, as well as ABS.
The Amigo came standard with Isuzu’s 10 bolt rear axle, which in conjunction with its push button 4 wheel drive button, makes it a good SUV for slippery surfaces. Amigo also has a traditional floor mounted lever for switching from 4wd high to 4wd low. Taking the Amigo off road is acceptable, providing good four wheeling capability in small trails. For serious off road capability, Isuzu offered the Ironman Edition Amigo which came standard with a DANA 44 rear end, Intelligent Suspension control (ISC), limited-slip differential, larger tires than the LS model, and adjustable shocks for off road. These are the rarest of Amigos, Isuzu only producing about 288 in 2000, 187 in 2001. (Isuzu did produce Ironman Rodeos and Axioms during those years as well)
The Amigo was renamed in 2002 to the Rodeo Sport, to compliment its more successful brother, the Rodeo. The Amigo series was produced until 2003. The Rodeo was dropped from Isuzu in 2004.
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