Holden · 1989–2005

Holden Frontera

The Isuzu MU is a mid-size SUV which was produced by Japan-based manufacturer Isuzu from 1989 to 2005. The three-door MU was introduced in 1989, followed in 1990 by the five-door version called Isuzu MU Wizard. Production of these first generation models ceased in 1998 to be replaced by a second generation. This time, the five-door version dropped the "MU" prefix, to become the Isuzu Wizard. The acronym "MU" is short for "Mysterious Utility". Isuzu manufactured several variations to the MU and its derivates for sale in other countries. The short-wheelbase (three-door) version was sold as the Isuzu MU and Honda Jazz in Japan, with the names Isuzu Amigo and later Isuzu Rodeo Sport used in the United States. Throughout continental Europe, the three-door was called the Opel Frontera Sport, with the Vauxhall Frontera Sport name used in the United Kingdom, and Holden Frontera Sport in Australia. The long-wheelbase (five-door) version was available as the Isuzu Wizard in Japan, and in North America as Isuzu Rodeo and the Honda Passport. Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden each also sold rebadged versions of the five-door as the Opel Frontera, Vauxhall Frontera, and Holden Frontera. It was also sold as the Chevrolet Frontera in Egypt, the Isuzu Cameo and Isuzu Vega in Thailand, the Isuzu Frontier in South Africa, and as the Chevrolet Rodeo in Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia.

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First generation (1989)

The three-door Isuzu MU made its debut in Japan during 1989, with the five-door MU Wizard introduced the following year. Based on the Isuzu Faster (TF) pickup truck of 1988, both the three- and five-door models shared bodywork and most internal components from the front doors forward. Like the Faster pickup, the MU and MU Wizard featured rear- and four-wheel drive layout configurations. Between 1993 and 1996, Honda retailed three-door versions of the MU under the name Honda Jazz for the Japanese market under a model sharing arrangement that resulted in several Isuzu models being badged Honda and vice versa. Markets. ==== North America ==== Sales of the three-door began in the United States during the second quarter of 1989 under the Isuzu Amigo name. A 2.3-liter 4ZD1 inline-four engine, producing 102 hp (76 kW) came standard with the RWD while the 4WD was offered with the 2.6-liter 4ZE1 engine. The transmission was initially manual only. There were very limited options for the early Amigo including air conditioning, seating for two or four, and two trim levels to choose from, S or XS. Some of the model year changes throughout production included: 1991: small cosmetic alterations, including a more rounded grille 1992: the standardization of the 2.6-liter engine and the added availability of a four-speed automatic transmission on the RWD version for 1992. 1993: the grille was enlarged and the front bumper slightly altered. 1994, a high mount rear stop light was added and power steering and mirrors were made standard. 1995: The Amigo was dropped by Isuzu in the US market. A limited number of XS-F editions (with the "F" standing for "Frontera") were produced which had additional options such as power windows and locking as well as four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), which

Second generation (1998)

In September 1997, the second-generation MU (three-door) and Wizard (five-door; now with "MU" prefix dropped) were shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, with Japanese sales starting May 1998. North American and European sales began shortly thereafter. In 2004, Isuzu added the optional 3.5-liter V6 gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine with 250 hp (186 kW) and 246 lb⋅ft (334 N⋅m) of torque. Isuzu was the first to offer (GDI) in a vehicle priced under US$100,000. The Rodeo weighs in at a little over 1,700 kg (3,800 lb), with an EPA estimated gas mileage for 2007 of 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km) city and 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km) highway for the two wheel drive model, and 15 mpg‑US (16 L/100 km) city and 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km) highway for the four wheel drive model. The second generation Isuzu Rodeo and its twin, the Honda Passport received a rating of "marginal" in the IIHS frontal offset test conducted at 40 mph (64 km/h) due to a possible injury to the right leg and the head, but dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. Markets. ==== North America ==== The Amigo made a comeback in the US for 1998 after a three-year hiatus with the second generation model alongside the redesigned Rodeo. The Amigo was originally only available only as a soft top with a five-speed transmission. Standard rear-mounted spare tire, ABS, and removable sunroof rounded out the feature set. Fender flares and special 16-inch wheels were available on the V6 and 4WD models. The Rodeo could also be optioned with a rear-mounted spare tire and its own 16-inch wheels on higher trim packages. A new 2.2-liter X22SE engine built by Holden in Australia served as the base engine. Isuzu also offered the 205 hp (153 kW) 6VD1 V6 that produced 214 lb⋅ft (290 N⋅m) of torque at 3000 rpm. Fuel consumption is an estimated 2

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Specifications

name: Isuzu MU
Manufacturer: Isuzu
Production: 1989–2005
Class: Mid-size SUV
Body style: 3/5-door SUV
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Successor: Isuzu Ascender (North America), Isuzu MU-7 (Southeast Asia), Opel Frontera (Europe), Vauxhall Frontera (United Kingdom)