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 Opel Frontera Sport, with the Vauxhall Frontera Sport title 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.

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

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 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: 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 were inactive in low-range 4WD mode and only active on the rear wheels in 4WD high-range. This version of the Amigo had only 49-state emissions (reasons unknown) and there are no official sales numbers, although most dealers agree there were fewer than 75 sold. The only badging used to distinguish this model from the outside was a sport-blue XS symbol with a sport-font "F" beside it (also finished in sport blue). Isuzu introduced the five-door Isuzu Rodeo to the United States in 1990 for the 1991 model year. It was available with either a 2.6-liter inline-four engine rated at 119 horsepower or a 3.1-liter V6 engine made by General Motors (GM), which had the same horsepower output as the 2.6 but more torque. An automatic transmission was available for the V6. Like the Amigo, the Rodeo was available in both RWD and 4WD, with the latter featuring manually locking hubs on the S version and automatically locking hubs on the XS and top-of-the-line LS. Rear-wheel ABS were standard feature on 4WDs. A RWD manual transmission model with a 21.9 usgal tank was rated at 18 mpgus in city driving by the EPA, and 22 mpgus on the highway. A 4WD model with the V6 and automatic transmission was rated at 15 mpgus city and 18 mpgus highway. All Rodeos had a rear seat bottom which folded forward and rear seat back which folded down, extending the 35 cuft cargo area. The vehicle's lug wrench was stored under the seat bottom, concealed by a carpeted Velcro flap. The jack was located behind a plastic panel in the rear left of the cargo area along with the rear windshield washer fluid reservoir if equipped. The LS was available with privacy glass, velour upholstery, and split-folding rear seats. A secret locking compartment was fitted in the depths of the center console below a removable cassette storage bin. The vehicle weighed 3490 - 3820 lb, depending on engine and options. For the 1993 model year, Isuzu replaced the GM V6 engine with their own 3.2-liter 24-valve SOHC V6 which was rated at 130 kW. Manually locking hubs were eliminated, but the floor-mounted transfer case shifter remained. The 1993 Rodeo featured a recalibrated suspension system, softened spring rates and softened shock valving. The Rodeo now weighed between 3536 - 4120 lb and the EPA rating was 18 mpgus city and 21 mpgus highway. Also for 1993, a Family II 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine from Holden was introduced, and the Rodeo gained a third brake light above the rear window and a more refined center console. The "V6" badge on V6 models was moved behind the front wheels. Midway through 1995, the Rodeo received an updated dashboard and steering wheel, both of which added airbags. The "ISUZU" badge on the front grille also shrunk in size. For 1996 Isuzu increased the power of their 3.2-liter V6 up to 145 kW and 262 Nm of torque, and the top level trim LS received the same 16-inch aluminium wheels as the Trooper, and was available in two-tone exterior colors. Isuzu sold 24,612 Rodeos in 1991 and 45,257 Rodeos in 1992. US models were manufactured at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc. (now, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.) in Lafayette, Indiana. The vehicle was still considered an import, as 75 percent of its parts were made overseas. The first-generation Isuzu Rodeo and its twin, the Honda Passport, received a rating of "Poor" in the IIHS frontal offset test conducted at 40 mph due to a poor safety cage and dummy movement, and excessive footwell intrusion that contributed to injuries to both legs. This series was known in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Frontera and in the rest of Europe as the Opel Frontera. It was launched in November 1991 and built at the former Bedford van factory in Luton, England; it would become known as the IBC factory (Isuzu Bedford Company). In the 1980s the plant had come under joint control between Isuzu and General Motors, with the Frontera being built alongside a number of other commercial vehicle models. The Australian and New Zealand version of the model range was known as the Holden Frontera and these were also produced at the Luton facility. The Frontera was Vauxhall's answer to the growing demand for 4X4 vehicles in Europe - particularly the right-hand drive British market - during the 1980s, where Japanese imported products from Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota had proven hugely successful, not to mention the success of the long-running British Land Rover and Range Rover. Despite the vast and growing competition in the 4X4 market, the Frontera sold well throughout Europe. The early cars (to 1995) had a choice of engines, with the LWB available with either a 2.4-liter petrol (C24NE) engine (developed in the Opel Manta i240) or the 2.3-liter diesel (23DTR) engine originally fitted in the Bedford CF van and Vauxhall Carlton. The Frontera sport (Isuzu Amigo) was available with the 2.0-liter petrol Vauxhall Cavalier engine (C20NE). In 1995, the model went through a facelift and the Frontera received rear coil springs and a new line up of engines. The SWB gained a new 2.0-liter petrol (X20 series) engine, updated trim, and also the first diesel engine available for the SWB, the 2.8-liter (4JB1-TC). The LWB also had new engines, with the 2.2-liter petrol (X22SE) and the 2.8 diesel 4JB1-TC being made available. In the 1996–1997 models interior trim, including the dashboard, was changed, and a new 2.5-liter diesel (VM41) engine was fitted. This engine was also used in the Range Rover Classic and Jeep Cherokee in the UK. In October 1995, Holden of Australia and New Zealand introduced the MU under the Holden "Frontera" badge in Australia and Holden "Wizard" badge in New Zealand. Designated the UT or M7 series, the Holden was based on the three-door body and manufactured in the United Kingdom. It was offered in one level of trim, the "Sport 4×4", offered solely with a manual transmission. Jiangling (Jiangling Motors Corporation Limited) Landwind in China produces a copy of the Isuzu Rodeo for the Chinese market. It is the first SUV to fail the Euro NCAP crash tests. The Landwind is based on the first generation Rodeo although there was no collaboration between JMC and Isuzu or GM. While the Landwind looks like the Rodeo it is not an Isuzu vehicle. For the Thai market, the MU Wizard was sold as the Isuzu Cameo (1993–1996) and Isuzu Vega (1999–2004) in Thailand. The Cameo using a 2.5-liter 4JA1 diesel direct injection engine, producing 90 PS at 3,900 rpm and the maximum torque of 17.8 kgm at 1,800 rpm came standard. The transmission was 5-speed manual with rear wheel drive only. The equipment is the same as in the TF and the only body style available is a five-door wagon. In 1999, Isuzu Thailand decided to have a major change for Cameo and gave it new name Vega, equipped with four-wheel drive only. Exterior differences from Cameo including the new frontal design, halogen headlights, 15-inch wheels with 265/70R15 tires and the spare wheel on the back door. It was introduced with 2.8-liter engine 4JB1-T and the brand new 3.0-liter 4JH1-T turbodiesel, producing 120 PS at 3,800 rpm and maximum torque of 24.5 kgm at 2,000 rpm, because of the development of the CCI (ISUZU Computer Controlled Injection) and HPI (ISUZU High Pressure Fuel Injection). In addition, it connected with a choice of 5-speed manual and "Technomatics" 4-speed automatic controlled by the TCM system (Transmission Control Module). The driver can manually choose style of driving by "Normal mode" and "Power mode".

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 and 246 lbft 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 3800 lb, with an EPA estimated gas mileage for 2007 of 16 mpgus city and 22 mpgus highway for the two wheel drive model, and 15 mpgus city and 20 mpgus 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 due to a possible injury to the right leg and the head, but dummy movement was reasonably well controlled.

Markets

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 6VD1 V6 that produced 214 lbft of torque at 3000 rpm. Fuel consumption is an estimated 22 mpgus highway. From a technical perspective, the Rodeo and Amigo were built with a rigid frame that has eight crossmembers. Front suspension has independent lower and upper arms, with a solid rear axle. The Rodeo and Amigo 4WD models came with a modified Dana 44 rear axle and push-button four-wheel drive. They also had a traditional floor mounted lever for switching from high- to low-range. Underneath, both vehicles came with protective skid plates as a standard feature. The North American Isuzu Amigo and Isuzu Rodeo were built at the Subaru Isuzu Automotive, Inc. assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana. In October 2010, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled 1998–2002 Rodeos, 2002 Isuzu Axioms, and 1998–2002 Honda Passports due to corrosion of the vehicle's frame in the vicinity of the rear suspension. Vehicles without corrosion in the affected area would be treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Vehicles with more severe corrosion would have a reinforcement bracket installed. In some cases, corrosion was so severe that repairs could not be made, resulting in Isuzu and Honda purchasing vehicles from the owners. The final MU rolled of the assembly line on June 5, 2004. In the United Kingdom, the second generation Isuzu MU and Wizard were sold as the Vauxhall Frontera (five-door) and Vauxhall Frontera Sport (three-door). In continental Europe it was sold as the Opel Frontera (five-door) and Opel Frontera Sport (three-door). After General Motors took full control over the IBC Vehicles factory in 1998, the Frontera production line was planned to be transferred to General Motors' Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port. However, with the closure of the Vauxhall Luton plant the decision to move was reversed. In 1998 the new model series was introduced with a choice of 2.2- petrol, 2.2-liter diesel (X22DTH) and 3.2-liter V6 petrol engines. Further modifications were carried out on the diesel engine post-2001, with the final version to be fitted in the marque being the 2.2-liter (Y22) version. This model met the Euro 3 Emissions standard. The Frontera was discontinued from production at IBC Luton in 2005 (the final models in the UK were produced in Olympus trim). In Australia and New Zealand, the Holden Frontera was replaced by a Holden badged version of the Chevrolet Captiva model range, while in Europe it was replaced by the Opel Antara, that was also available as a Vauxhall.