Isuzu Axiom

Isuzu Axiom

Manufacturer	Subaru Isuzu Automotive, Inc.
Production	2002–2004
Assembly	Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Predecessor	Isuzu Trooper
Successor	Isuzu Ascender (Short wheelbase)
Class	Mid-size SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Engine	3.5L 230 hp (172 kW) V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
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)
Related	Honda Passport Isuzu Rodeo

The Isuzu Axiom is an SUV designed in Japan using a "knife blade" theme for its car-like styling. Built in Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. plant on the Rodeo platform. It jointly replaced the Trooper, but was itself replaced by the Isuzu Ascender for the 2005 model year.

The Axiom had two trim levels: base and the uplevel XS. The XS trim had features like fog lamps, a sunroof, heated front seats, and leather upholstery.

The name "Axiom" was determined by a naming contest held by Isuzu, and was won by Dr. Hakan Urey from Redmond, Washington, who suggested the name and won his own Axiom in 2001.

The Axiom is available with a torque on demand four-wheel drive system, and a direct-injection 6VE1 V6 engine was added in 2004, boosting power from 230 to 250 hp (172 to 186 kW).

The Axiom's radical styling was too extreme for some although a surprising number of its design elements later found their way into SUVs from other manufacturers. Unfortunately, under the Axiom's cutting-edge body was the largely unchanged Rodeo chassis, which was judged to be crude by critics. The stylish body was also available only as a luxury entry which limited the sales market.

The Axiom was discontinued in July 2004 after only three years of production and the Lafayette plant was retooled to build the Subaru B9 Tribeca. With the retirement of the Rodeo and Axiom, Isuzu, which once sold a complete line of cars, trucks and SUVs, no longer offered any Japanese-built consumer vehicles in the United States. From 2006-2009, the lineup consisted only of rebadged General Motors vehicles: a GMC Canyon pickup and GMC Envoy SUV. Isuzu began its withdrawal from North American markets, with Canada after the 2002 model year, followed by the United States after the 2009 model year. Also, the Axiom was never sold in Canada.

The Chinese-produced Great Wall Hover's design is heavily inspired by the Axiom, but is unrelated.

The Axiom's big-screen claim-to-fame was an appearance in the 2001 hit movie Spy Kids starring Antonio Banderas. In the film the vehicle is heavily modified for spy demands.

Competitors

The Axiom had competitors like the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota Highlander.^{[citation needed]}

External links

Media related to Isuzu Axiom at Wikimedia Commons