2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport Review
Price Estimate:Â $992 - $1,667
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Hard- or soft-top option, youthful appeal, attractive design.
Cons
- Excessive engine noise, subpar suspension and handling, cramped interior, poor frontal offset crash test score.
What’s new
Isuzu's two-door Rodeo Sport SUV is unchanged for 2003.
Edmunds says
A somewhat-charming specialty SUV let down by sloppy handling dynamics and an unrefined interior.
For sale near Seattle, WA
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport S Soft Top Rwd 2dr SUV (2.2L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for regular unleaded in Washington.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$272/mo  for Rodeo Sport S
Rodeo Sport S
vs
$205/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Isuzu Rodeo Sport Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(51%)
4(41%)
3(5%)
2(3%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Truck based SUV
4.5 out of 5 starsTommy, 09/20/2010
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport S V6 Hard Top 2WD 2dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have driven this for 3 years now and I absolutely love it. In FL we have lots of summer rain storms where having a truck-based SUV comes in handy. It accelerates like no other SUV I have ever driven (Power speed button at your finger tip). The HP is amazing. The removable sunroofs are the best feature. Don't buy a girly car based SUV like a CR-V. Buy an Isuzu Rodeo Sport. I have … driven my in laws CR-V several dozen times and it simply does not compare. I have have done nothing but routine maint. in 3 years of ownership.
Overall an "A"
4.25 out of 5 starsLarry B, 06/24/2002
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport S V6 Hard Top 2WD 2dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
Purchased my Rodeo Sport for all the
right reasons. I wanted the power of
the V6 but better responsiveness than a
sluggish larger type SUV. I feel it
combines the best of both worlds.
best liitle SUV ever!
4.5 out of 5 starsaquarianstag70, 02/25/2011
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport S V6 Soft Top 2WD 2dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
i got this little monster 2 1/2yrs ago with 52000miles on it and still loving it since that very day i took this out from the dealership. its really fun to drive and good looking SUV. took it for 1300miles long drive and there was never been a problem. looks a little bit deceiving 'coz size-wise its smaller, but with a 3.2 V6 engine somebody will eat my little monster's dusts.
did all … the maintenance by myself from oil change, air filters, sparkplugs, coolant and tire rotations and everything works perfect. the gas mileage ratio is just 18miles a gal, but who cares about it if you're loving it. i'll keep this little monster the next 3 years.
An Amigo by any other name...
2.38 out of 5 starsscathma, 04/19/2002
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport S V6 Soft Top 4WD 2dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 4A)
Ever like how a car looks but HATE the
way it drives? That's how I feel about
my Amigo/Rodeo Sport. I think the
design is great, but definitely less
than the sum of its parts. On paper,
the car has impressive hardware but the
execution is poor. The resale value is
terrible! My 2000 Amigo depreciated
from $22K to $12K in 20 months! The
ride is harsh, atrocious 14 mpg … city,
rear visibility blocked by tire/rear
seat headrests, seats are
uncomfortable, driver legroom is tight,
factory sound system poor, and rear end
hops around on bumps - dangerous when
it happens on curves. Whatever you call
it, it's not a very good buy. I would
not buy another Isuzu product.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport, so we've included reviews for other years of the Rodeo Sport since its last redesign.
2003 Rodeo Sport Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,999 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $272/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.1 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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