Vehicle Overview
Once known as the Amigo, the Rodeo Sport comes as a two-door hardtop or convertible. Both come with new six-spoke 16-inch wheels for 2002. The convertible has a manual removable sunroof and a folding fabric top over the rear seats and a hartop over the front seats. The hardtop model substitutes a second sunroof over the rear seats in place of the convertibles folding top.
The Rodeo Sport uses the same engines, four-wheel-drive system and front styling as the regular Rodeo. Vehicles equipped with the Ironman Package include Isuzus Intelligent Suspension Control, which has a Sport/Comfort switch.
Exterior
The Sport is more than 7 inches shorter than the four-door Rodeo and is built on a shorter version of the truck chassis used for the Rodeo. The Sport rides a 96.9-inch wheelbase, is 170.3 inches long overall, stands 67.1 inches tall and measures 70.4 inches wide. Both the hardtop and convertible models have two side doors.
Corrugated styling accents the lower door panels. Broad fenders and gray overfenders enhance what Isuzu calls the vehicles performance-oriented, go-anywhere look. The Rodeo Sports box-section ladder frame has eight cross-members. Alloy wheels hold 16-inch tires.
Interior
Like the Rodeo, the Rodeo Sport seats five occupants. It has bucket seats up front and a folding three-place rear bench though space on the bench seat is modest. The front passenger seat has a walk-in feature, which slides the seat forward when the backrest is released.
Under the Hood
A standard 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine develops 130 horsepower, and an optional 3.2-liter V-6 achieves 205 hp. Both engines are available with a four-speed-automatic or five-speed-manual transmission. Part-time four-wheel drive with either engine should be used only on slippery surfaces. Antilock brakes are standard.