Acura · 1981–2002

Acura SLX

The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV manufactured and marketed by Isuzu between September 1981 and September 2002 over two generations, the first, produced between 1981 and 1991; and the second (UBS) produced between 1991 and 2002, the latter with a mid-cycle refresh in 1998. In its earliest iterations, the Trooper was based on the company's first generation Isuzu Faster/Chevrolet LUV pickup. Marketed in the Japanese domestic market, as the Isuzu Bighorn (Japanese: いすゞ・ビッグホーン, Hepburn: Isuzu Bigguhōn), Isuzu marketed it internationally primarily as the Trooper, and in other markets as the Acura SLX (USA), Chevrolet Trooper, Subaru Bighorn, SsangYong Korando Family, Honda Horizon, Opel Monterey, Vauxhall Monterey, Holden Jackaroo, and Holden Monterey. In the United States, for the first generation, which was initially solely offered with two doors, Isuzu was required to comply with the 25% U.S. Chicken Tax on two-door trucks. Prior to its formal introduction Paul Geiger, product-development manager at American Isuzu Motors, noted the Roman numeral "II" designated the truck version (with the rear seat as a mandatory $300 option) and "I" indicating the passenger version with a rear seat included along with certain other features. Isuzu thus marketed the first generation two-door as the Trooper II, and when introducing the four-door retained the Trooper II nameplate. Isuzu never formally marketed a Trooper I, and Car & Driver later inferred the company had changed their mind about the suffix before the SUV went on sale. Isuzu offered the Trooper initially with four-cylinder motor, four-speed manual transmission, and part-time four-wheel drive, subsequently adding amenities and luxuries, including optional air-conditioning, power windows, and a more powerful V6 engine. The second generation was available with two-wheel- or four-wheel drive. Competitors included the Toyota Hilux Surf, Mitsubishi Pajero, and Nissan Terrano.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Acura MDX

All Acura SLX data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (1981)

The first-generation Trooper, introduced in September 1981, was available as a three-door wagon or a soft top with independent front suspension. The soft-top model sold slowly and did not last long. In the Japanese market, the car was originally introduced as the "Isuzu Rodeo Bighorn", but the "Rodeo" part of the name was dropped in January 1984. Early engines included a 1.95-liter gasoline and a 73 PS (54 kW) 2.2-liter diesel, underpowered even by early-1980s standards for the vehicle's 3,700 lb (1,678 kg) empty weight. The four-wheel-drive system was engaged by operating a three-position shifter adjacent to the transmission shifter. Both Aisin manual-locking and Isuzu's own auto-locking hubs were employed. In 1983, Isuzu introduced the five-door version and the 4ZD1 four-cylinder engine 97 PS (71 kW; 96 hp) 2.3-liter petrol engine. Apart from higher power, changes to the previous engine included a Kevlar timing belt replacing the previous chain, and a larger two-barrel carburetor. Also available only for 1986 in the US was the 87 PS (64 kW) 2.2-liter C223T turbocharged diesel engine which had been introduced to Japan in January 1984, using a Garrett turbocharger. It was not a popular option, and Isuzu North America changed to the larger 4ZE1 four-cylinder petrol unit for 1988, and then used the standard 2.8-liter GM V6 for 1989 until their own new V6 engines could enter production. In 1987, the rectangular headlights were introduced, and LS trim was available for the five doors. For 1988, the 4ZD1 (2.3-liter) engine was upgraded to 110 hp, and introduced a 120 hp (89 kW) 2.6-liter (4ZE1) I-TEC fuel-injected engine for the US market. In 1989, an optional General Motors 2.8-liter pushrod V6 borrowed from the Chevrolet S-10 pickup was also available. Later first-generati

Second generation (1991)

In December 1991 for the 1992 model year, Isuzu completely redesigned the Trooper to keep pace with changes in the SUV marketplace, making it larger, more powerful, and more luxurious. Originally only the long wheelbase, five-door model was on offer, but in March 1992 the shorter three-door model was added. These 4,155 lb (1,885 kg) vehicles used a 3.2 L 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) (SOHC) petrol engine or 3.2-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC) version rated at 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp). A SOHC 3.2-liter engine producing 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) was introduced in 1996, replacing the earlier DOHC engine in selected export markets. Most models still used a part-time four-wheel-drive system, which required stopping the vehicle to engage and disengage the front axle. Starting in the 1996 model year, some Troopers came with a "shift-on-the-fly" engagement system. The UBS series was also available with a pushrod overhead valve (OHV) 3.1-liter inline-four engine intercooled turbo diesel (designated "4JG2") producing 114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp) at 3,600 rpm, and 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm. Japanese-market diesels have a claimed maximum power of 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) and 275 N⋅m (203 lb⋅ft) of torque at the same engine speeds. It was offered as a more rugged and fuel-efficient option for towing and heavy-duty operation, relative to the standard 3.2-liter petrol. The diesel-powered Jackaroo was available with a five-speed manual transmission and manual front hubs only coupled to a part-time four-wheel drive system with open front and limited-slip rear differentials. The 3.2-liter V6 petrol engine version was also available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission with automatic locking front hubs. The same diesel engine was also available in the UK and other markets with a belt-d

Motorsport

1989: Jackaroo SWB won the Marathon class victory in '89 Australian Safari driven by Peter Lockhart. 1992: Trooper won class victory in '92 Australian Safari. 1993: Troopers took first and second place in the class of '93 Australian Safari. 1994: Trooper won the Marathon class victory at the 1994 Paris–Dakar Rally, and finished 12th overall. 1994: Trooper finished first in its class at the Photographs Rally. 1995–1997: The Holden Jackaroo served as the official Safety Car for the Bathurst 1000, a decision that surprised many due to its off-road nature. However, its high vantage point and stable handling made it well-suited for controlling race pace under caution conditions. 1996: Holden Jackaroo finished first place – Driven by Bruce Garland Australian Safari 1998: Holden Jackaroo Finished 1st and 2nd in the Round Australia Trial known as the Playstation Rally. First place driven by Wayne Webster/Harry Suzuki, and second, Peter Brock. Brock competed in the Production class racing a showroom condition Holden Jackaroo finishing first in the Production class. 1999: Holden Jackaroo finished first place – Driven by Bruce Garland Australian Safari 2000: Holden Jackaroo finished first place – Driven by Bruce Garland Australian Safari 2001: Holden Jackaroo finished first place – Driven by Bruce Garland Australian Safari 2002: Holden Jackaroo finished first place – Driven by Bruce Garland/Harry Suzuki Australian Safari

Naming conventions

North America – Isuzu Trooper II (1983–1991), Isuzu Trooper (1991–2002), also sold by Honda as the Acura SLX from 1996 to 2000 South America and Africa – Isuzu Trooper and Chevrolet Trooper Colombia – Chevrolet Trooper (First Generation), Chevrolet Trooper 960 (Second generation) Venezuela – Caribe 442 Asia – Isuzu Trooper, also sold by Chevrolet as Chevrolet Trooper Japan – Isuzu Bighorn, Subaru Bighorn, sold by Honda as Honda Horizon (similar to the 1995–1999 Acura SLX, introduced in 1994, discontinued in 1999) Europe – Isuzu Trooper (1st and 2nd Generation) and Vauxhall Monterey (UK, 1992–1998), Opel Monterey (the rest of Europe and Ireland, 1992–1999) New Zealand – Isuzu Bighorn, Isuzu Trooper, Holden Jackaroo, Holden Monterey Australia – Holden Jackaroo, Holden Monterey and Holden Special Vehicles Jackaroo

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Isuzu Trooper
Manufacturer: Isuzu
aka: Isuzu Bighorn (Japan)
Production: 1981–2002
Assembly: Japan: Fujisawa, Kanagawa (Fujisawa Plant)
Class: Mid-size SUV
Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive, Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Successor: Isuzu Ascender, Isuzu Axiom, Chevrolet/Holden Captiva (Chevrolet Trooper/Holden Jackaroo/Monterey), Holden Colorado 7 (Australia), SsangYong Rexton (SsangYong Korando Family), Acura MDX (Acura SLX), Subaru Forester (Subaru Bighorn)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3120754CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_TrooperCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373935143 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acura_SLX.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: LukaCali · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.