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| Isuzu Axiom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Isuzu |
| Production | 2001–2004 |
| Model years | 2002–2004 |
| Assembly | United States:Lafayette, Indiana (Subaru Isuzu Automotive) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-sizeSUV |
| Body style | 5-doorSUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive orfour-wheel drive |
| Related | Isuzu Rodeo |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5 L GDI 6VE1-DIV6/3.5 L6VE1V6(gasoline) |
| Transmission | 4-speedautomatic AW 30-40LS /GM 4L30-E transmission |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.4 in (2,703 mm) |
| Length | 182.6 in (4,638 mm) |
| Width | 70.7 in (1,796 mm) |
| Height | 67.2 in (1,707 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Isuzu Trooper |
| Successor | Isuzu Ascender (short wheelbase) |
TheIsuzu Axiom is a mid-sizeSUV introduced byIsuzu in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The Axiom is derived from theIsuzu Rodeo and was intended to be Isuzu's response to the popularity of car-based SUVs, such as theToyota Highlander, replacing theTrooper as Isuzu's flagship vehicle in the United States.
Exclusively sold in theUnited States andCosta Rica, the Axiom was built alongside the Rodeo inLafayette, Indiana, atSubaru Isuzu Automotive, Inc. The peculiar styling and truck-based platform was poorly received in the marketplace. The Axiom was discontinued and replaced by theChevrolet TrailBlazer-derivedIsuzu Ascender in 2004, leading to Isuzu's withdrawal from manufacturing and selling passenger vehicles inNorth America in 2009.
The Axiom had two trim levels: the base and the up-level XS. The XS trim had features like fog lamps, a sunroof, heated front seats, an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, 12-speaker premium audio, and leather upholstery. The name "Axiom" was determined by a naming contest held by Isuzu and won by Dr. Hakan Urey fromRedmond, Washington, who suggested the name and won his own Axiom in 2001. The word means an established, accepted, or self-evidently true statement or proposition.
The Axiom is available with a Torque-On-Demandfour-wheel drive system, a direct-injection 6VE1-DI V6 engine and an Aisin Warner AW30-40LS automatic transmission was added in 2004, boosting power from 230 to 250hp (172 to 186kW). A new chrome bar grille and liftgate chrome that stretched tail light to tail light was also added.[1]
The Axiom was discontinued in July 2004, and the Lafayette plant was retooled to build theSubaru B9 Tribeca. With the retirement of the Rodeo and Axiom, Isuzu, which once sold a complete line ofcars,trucks and SUVs, no longer offered any Japanese-built consumer vehicles in theUnited States (from 2006–2009, the lineup consisted only of rebadgedGeneral Motors vehicles).
In 2013, a recall was issued for the Isuzu Axiom for frames with severe rust issues,NHTSA Campaign Number 13V547000. Similar related vehicles, 1998–2002Isuzu Rodeo andHonda Passport NHTSA Recall Campaign Number 10V436000, andIsuzu Amigo in 2012, Campaign Number 12V306000.
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The Axiom is a slightly diluted production version of the 1999 Isuzu ZXS concept that debuted at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. Isuzu also built 3 Axiom concepts: the 2001 Axiom XSF, 2002 Axiom XSR, and 2003 Axiom XST.
Chinese manufacturer Great Wall later copied the design of the Axiom for theirHaval H3/Hover SUV, albeit with a minor restyling of the body.
The 2001 movieSpy Kids and its2002 sequel featured an Isuzu Axiom as part of a promotion, even having a lenticular poster and an RC car made byRadioShack.[2][3][4][5]
Media related toIsuzu Axiom at Wikimedia Commons