Given the relentless growth of the SUV market, it’s a bit ironic that one of the pioneers of the segment is no more. But in the 1990s and aughts, they were still a force to be reckoned with. But they also felt the noose tightening, so they tried hard to look for niches within that segment. How about an off-roadster?
Here’s some more:
The XU·1 dates from 1994, and is still relatively conventional in format.
The KAI looks to have been a four door sedan-SUV, with a steeply sloping fastback.
The VX-4 appears to just be a four door version of the VehiCross.
And here’s the one that did make it into production, the VehiCross. It was pretty out there at the time, but like all such things, doesn’t look quite so radical anymore.
We’ve covered the VehiCross a few times, here, here, and here.
In the 90’s I never would’ve guessed that Isuzu’s days were numbered. Troopers and Rodeos were all over the place in those days…at least in Colorado. But those concepts…yeesh they are not easy on the eyes. However the VX-4 looks like it would’ve been much more viable than the VehiCross.
They’re still active, but only do trucks and SUVs now. Quite popular in Australia. A few friends have recent MU-Xs; they pronounce it “Mux”. 🙂
In highschool during the mid 90s these concepts were the vehicles I dreamed of owning, I was biased as I drove a 1986 Trooper and was (and still am ) an Isuzu fanboy.
I kept holding the Kai would get produced just so I could score a set of this wheels as takeoffs for my Trooper, yes I have obnoxious wheel preferences.
The XU·1 doesn’t look too far removed from some of today’s crossovers. Unless I’m mistaking something though, it looks to be a pain to get in and out of since the doors are above that plastic cladding.
The cladding is attached to the door, the opening itself is conventional
The first off-roadster? I guess Izuzu never heard of a Jeep?
My immediate thoughts exactly!
the Jeep is far from a roadster. they r fun off road but not much on, unless just cruising town. I’m looking for a Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet to see how it does in the curves
The heading is it being the first “off-roadster”, emphasis on off road. What is the original Jeep but a 2 seater open top off road vehicle? Hell Jeep even had a model called Jeepster, quite literally shorthand for Jeep Roadster.
Isuzu 4x4s are still quite common here mostly the Dmax pickups and 4 door SUVs their heavy trucks are still quite popular, roofless 4x4s have been produced by just about everyone Isuzu is a long way from the first.
Holden called, they want their XU-1 moniker back. 🙂
Seriously, some amazing looking stuff there. Isuzu sure had the ideas. That VX-O2 looks wild! The VX4 should have made production. That Kai though…Aztek done right? Hmm.
And, as always, I love the VehiCross. CC-in-scale has one, but I figured you’d rather see an XU-1.
The XU-1 does foreshadow the production Axiom, which was introduced in the 2002 model year.
My thought as well, but the Axiom lacks the upswept lower window line, to its detriment.
Given how common Isuzu SUV’s became here in the North East by the end of the 90’s, I would be curious if someone has found a good article on their downfall in North America a few year later. I mean a lot probably has to do with not updating product, but there has to be more to it then that. Rodeos in particular were everywhere.
GM screwed Isuzu in the US. Just like Saab. Isuzu corporate likely had very little say in the matter. It’s a shame because Oldsmobile/Saab/Isuzu could have been a successful sales channel for GM if they had money to combine dealerships and organize the lineups ala Buick/Pontiac/GMC.