STAR TEST: Isuzu Crosswind XUV

Judging by the number of new Isuzu Crosswind XUVs I see running around, it would be easy to say that Isuzu has a winner on their hands. I half-expected to see the all-new Honda CR-V dominating the landscapes but, perhaps due to a supply shortage, the stunningly affordable SUV cum AUV from Honda is not as visible on the road as real demand for that model would warrant.

But getting back to the new Crosswind, Isuzu hit the nail on the head with its successful rendition of the popular AUV take on the SUV-wannabe genre. Toyota has its range-topping Revo LXV and SR models while Mitsubishi has its Adventure Super Sport line, both arguably successful in their own rights, to fill this niche. Still, it’s the Isuzu that seems to be ripe for that rare twin triumph of a box office success and critical acclaim. Even the name sounds more like SUV.

It’s not at all difficult to transform an AUV into an SUV lookalike. A trip to Banawe will net you all manner of plastic body cladding, bull bars, wide wheels and big all-terrain tires to make your humble AUV pass for a sport utility vehicle, at least in profile.

So what makes the Crosswind XUV different? It puts its money where its mouth is. How? It takes just 20 minutes to switch OE wheels and tires for a set of macho alloys and all-terrain rubber. However, to lift the whole body to give adequate tire-to-fender clearance and give a vehicle the proper SUV stance is a totally major undertaking. Isuzu did this. Ditto the XUV’s use of six-bolt hubs to secure said mags to the chassis. All other AUVs have five-bolt hubs while all genuine SUVs have six-bolt patterns. And as far as the de rigeur plastic door panels, fender flares, bull bars, fog lamps and roof rails are concerned, Isuzu hit the styling bull’s eye perfectly.

And that’s just outside. Pop the hood and see where the XUV separates the men from the boys. A turbocharger nestles beside the tried-and-tested direct-injection Isuzu diesel engine to give it class-leading levels of torque. Isuzu could have increased boost pressure for even more power but elected not to perhaps for the longevity of the drivetrain but conceivably also to prevent the Crosswind from becoming faster than the flagship (and much heavier) Trooper.

A caveat: Those who want to do serious hauling or those who put a premium on performance are strongly advised to choose the manual transmission variant. The automatic transmission model I tested had woefully slow acceleration from anywhere below 20 kph, something made more obvious when driving on the expressway. However, acceleration from, say, 60 to 90 kph is perfectly acceptable — quick even, with the automatic downshifting smartly when the accelerator is kicked down. Still, I wonder why the same-engined (and heavier) Fuego 4x4 Sport pickup I tested right after the Crosswind had much brisker acceleration from a standing start. That, too, had an automatic gearbox.

Ride is par-for-the-course, with some inherent stiffness when the rear leaf springs are unloaded. Handling takes some getting used to, especially at higher speeds, as the combination of a relatively light curb weight and big 235/70R-15 tires require more attention, especially on slippery roads. Braking power, while strong, requires a bit of finesse too — again because of the all-terrain tires that are not weighed down enough by sheer mass.

Inside, the Crosswind boasts generous overall space for the front and middle row passengers. The rearmost side-facing seats are best reserved for kids or, better yet, left folded for a truly capacious and carpeted cargo area. Kudos goes to Isuzu for having the best rear door among the AUVs. Side opening doors are always the easiest to open and close and Isuzu managed to do this and deliver a full-sized tailgate at the same time — something not achieved by æ-sized side-opening doors of the previous Tamaraw, Adventure and even Isuzu’s first-generation Hi-Lander.

Leather steering wheel, shift knob and seats with body-colored stitching (with a rear folding armrest), a high-end audio player and in-dash CD player (with no less than six speakers), an LCD odometer/trip meter, and a keyless entry system are major interior highlights.

Viewed as an AUV, the XUV’s price of P809,000 for the manual and P849,000 for the automatic may be high at worst, competitive at best. But viewed as an entry-level SUV (or a poor man’s Trooper), then it’s a veritable bargain. Think of it as a half-filled glass and you’ll be happy.