V6, 5 speed manual, 2WD
Mint green (one of 2 acceptable colors for this car, the other being silver. The black Rodeos wouldn't be half bad if they didn't ship with mandated pink interior. *barf*)
Ride and handling - 5
Fuel economy - 3
Reliability - 4
Fun - 5
Practicality – 4
Style - 5
Power - 4
Overall - 4.5
Ride and handling
I am infatuated with the feel of truck frames. More specifically, compact truck-based SUVs, like this Rodeo. This car feels tough and ballsy when you drive it, or even just ride in it. The high ground clearance and the shallow floor creates a sense of power. The Rodeo handles pretty well for an SUV. The last thing you will feel when driving this truck is bloated.
Fuel Economy
You can't win in this category when you have a truck-based SUV. Sure, you could get a Honda CR-V and get crazy gas mileage, but the Rodeo isn't a CR-V. Gas mileage isn't terrible, comparatively, but it certainly isn't stellar. Sorry, I don't have any numbers here. I don't feel like calculating them.
Reliability
As with all Japanese cars, this thing will run forever. Now, is it as trouble free as my Nissan Sentra? No. The Rodeo has had some electrical issues, most notably the windows refusing to go back up after you put them down. We've had to deal with this recurring issue many times. But all cars have problems, you just deal with them and move on. For a 15 year old truck, I'd say it's been pretty good.
Fun
Rodeos are really fun.
Even though this is only a 2WD model (grrr), you can use it for outdoor fun. It has a trailer hitch so you can tow a boat. Ample cargo space provides reason to carry your "items" such as bear carcass. In addition to what you can do with it, it's just a really run car to drive. The engine noise is a magnificent pseudo Detroit Diesel sound. I simply love this car.Practicality
If you are looking for a compact SUV, the Rodeo is very competent. The tailgate is pretty cool. You swing the external spare tire assembly to the left, the tailgate to the right, and prop open the rear window. Then, you can fold the rear seats down to give you more cargo space. You can even totally remove them. The Rodeo is also very inexpensive compared to other SUVs in its class. Right now, you can get a Rodeo from the same era as mine (1992-1997) dirt cheap. Like $1,000. A newer Rodeo won't be more than $6,000. Unfortunately, the Rodeo isn't made anymore since Isuzu has ceased selling consumer vehicles in the US. It's sad, I know. I used to have a 1991 Trooper.
Style
You'd have to be crazy not to think the Rodeo is attractive. It holds its charm even in its old age. If you are driving a 15 year old Mercury Sable, it's not gonna look good. A 15 year old Rodeo will still gather street cred. But you have to judge the appearance for yourself.
Note: that isn't my Rodeo, it's a stock photo.
Power The Isuzu's V6 is actually an Isuzu model, replacing the GM V6 in earlier Rodeos. It's not a monster engine, but it's plenty peppy in traffic and very able in towing boats. The 5 speed manual probably helps here; I've heard automatic Rodeos are sluggish, like my automatic Isuzu Trooper. Oh well, I win.
I *really* wish I had a 4WD model though.
Just wish my seats were better.