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The long-lived Isuzu Trooper went away this year, replaced by a new sport utility flagship that’s made in Ohio instead of Japan.

The Ascender is quite a departure for Isuzu, known for manufacturing trucks that have been re-badged as Hondas, among other things.

Now, a General Motors vehicle that appears as stretch versions of Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy has been re-badged as an Isuzu Ascender.

GM owns a huge hunk of the Japanese company, so making its new SUV available is only natural. And it is a far cry superior to the Trooper it replaces.

Isuzu still produces the rest of the lineup: Rodeo, Rodeo Sport and Axiom.

Ascender comes only as a long, 129-inch-wheelbase SUV with three rows of seating for seven. The truck looks long, with huge doors and the presence of a limousine. Although the bodywork is similar to the Envoy, the chrome grille and front fascia share an Isuzu family resemblance.

Basically a less-expensive rendition of the long-wheelbase Envoy, the Ascender offers the roomy accommodations and good driving characteristics. Ascender becomes the fourth truck based on this chassis and drive train, including 113-inch-wheelbase, five-passenger versions of TrailBlazer, Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravado, which comes only in the shorter version.

The GM SUVs are true trucks, built on ladder frames with solid rear axles. The trend is toward car-based crossover SUVs and trucks that are enhanced with independent rear suspensions, such as the latest Ford Explorer. But this group shows that, when done right, the traditional truck-based SUV with a solid rear axle can be an effective and versatile family vehicle.

The standard engine is a smooth and powerful inline-six-cylinder. This refined, twin-overhead-cam mill produces 275 horsepower and plenty of pull for the heavy Ascender, which weighs in at 4,790 pounds in the two-wheel-drive version tested here. The four-wheel-drive reaches nearly 5,000 pounds.

The straight six also is strong enough to tow 5,500 pounds, according to GM, making the Ascender a capable vehicle for boat- or horse-trailer towing duties. There’s an optional 5.3-liter V-8 available with a lot more torque, but unless you’re towing the Queen Mary, the six is plenty.

Either way, gas mileage is in the basement. That’s one reason why the heavy truck-based SUVs are being assailed by environmental groups.

Ride and handling for the Ascender, and its GM counterparts, is smooth and comfortable, especially considering its truck-frame underpinnings. Cornering is stable and predictable, and the power rack-and-pinion steering is highly responsive, if a bit numb.

The standard four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with anti-lock are effective.

The 129-inch wheelbase provides lots of room for seven passengers, including the third row. The seats fold nicely for a full cargo bed, which Isuzu says is more than 100 cubic feet. The front seats are very supportive with lots of legroom and headroom.

The interior is nicely finished, with loads of standard equipment at the base price of $28,649, which is just $544 more than last year’s five-seat Trooper. Gauges and controls look good and function well.

The two-wheel-drive test truck was enhanced with the basic Preferred Package, priced at $586, which includes remote and heated outside mirrors, and power driver’s seat; an LS equipment package, at $3,990, that includes a limited-slip differential, traction control, moonroof, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a stereo-CD upgrade, steering-wheel audio controls, middle-seat audio controls, OnStar communications system, power passenger seat and a driving computer; and shipping, $625.

At just under $33,000, the Ascender undercuts the Envoy. Ascender is also the only vehicle in its class that features a seven-year/75,000 miles limited power-train warranty with roadside assistance.

Isuzu Ascender

Vehicle type: Seven-passenger, four-door sport utility vehicle, rear-wheel drive.

Base price: $28,649.

Price as tested: $32,956.

Engine: 4.2-liter inline-6, 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 275 pounds-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 129 inches.

Curb weight: 4,790 pounds.

Towing capacity: 5,500 pounds.

EPA mileage: 15 city, 20 highway.

Highs:

Roomy interior.

Ride, handling.

Smooth engine power.

Lows:

Poor fuel mileage.

Numb steering.

Re-badged as Isuzu.