Used 2007 Isuzu i-290 Extended Cab

The once-robust Isuzu lineup is down to just two models: The Ascender SUV and the i-Series pickup truck. Although the i-Series shares a common platform with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, it offers a superior powertrain warranty at no extra cost (seven-years/75,000 miles vs. three-years/36,000 miles). The tough little i-290 and i-370 are among the few remaining small trucks that can rightfully call themselves compacts, giving them an advantage in both maneuverability and fuel efficiency over their ever-larger rivals. If you’re not looking to tow heavy loads nor require copious amounts of passenger space, the i-Series trucks make a great choice.

The i-Series pickups are well mannered when traveling on paved surfaces, offering a comfortable ride and respectable acceleration. Some testers were not happy with the vague steering response and touchy brakes, while others reported that traversing washboard surfaces caused the i-Series’ rear end to jump about. In this regard, the i-Series pickups lag behind the standards set by the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. These same testers, however, praised the i-Series models for their off-road abilities, noting the narrow body was easy to maneuver in tight spaces and the four-wheel-drive system seemed undaunted by loose sand and rocky trails. We were pleased with our test truck’s 3.7-liter engine, which averaged about 18 mpg in mixed city and highway driving.

The i-290 Extended Cab offers as an option a set of forward-facing rear jump seats separated by a small console with integral cup holders. Given the cab’s limited space, these seats will not comfortably accommodate adults. The i-370 Crew Cab offers better accommodations for four, providing a split-folding rear bench seat with fixed head restraints. Though front-seat legroom and headroom is ample, the i-Series’ narrow cab makes for snug shoulder and hip room, and the flat seat cushions don’t offer much in the way of long-term comfort. From a purely functional point of view, outward visibility is fairly open and the i-Series instrument cluster is large and legible. Esthetically speaking, however, the abundant grey plastic creates a rather industrial interior that is neither inspiring nor inviting.

From every angle but the front, it’s hard to distinguish the i-290 and i-370 from their GM cousins, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Isuzu makes the truck its own by grafting on the company’s signature chrome grille and badging. A 126-inch wheelbase serves as the platform for all trims, with the i-290 Extended Cab offering a six-foot bed and the i-370 Crew Cab a five-foot bed. Buyers can order a number of off-road and appearance packages, including larger wheels and tires, color-keyed wheel arches and graphic decals.

Two-Position Tailgate
The i-Series’ tailgate can be set at a 55- or 89-degree angle, the former positioning the tailgate edge at the same height as the tops of the inner fender liners, allowing items longer than the bed — such as that 4×8 sheet of plywood — to be supported yet remain level. The tailgate is also removable and lockable.

Head-Curtain Side-Impact Airbags
The head-curtain airbags offer protection for both front- and rear-seat outboard occupants, and are standard on the i-370 and part of the Luxury trim level for the i-290.

The i-290 Extended Cab pickup features a 2.9-liter, four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, 15-inch aluminum wheels, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), power steering, automatic on/off headlamps and a 60/40 split-bench vinyl front seat. The i-370 Crew Cab adds a 3.7-liter five-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic transmission, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, locking rear differential, off-road suspension, fog lamps, AM/FM stereo with CD-MP3 player, full carpeting, remote keyless entry, cloth front bucket seats and power windows, door locks and mirrors.

Optional on the i-290 is an AM/FM stereo with CD-MP3 player, rear jump seats, full carpeting, tinted windows, cloth seats, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, bucket seats, side molding and remote keyless entry. Choosing the Luxury trim level adds a limited-slip differential, traction control, head-curtain side-impact airbags, sliding rear window with defroster, six-disc CD changer and fog lamps. A four-speed automatic transmission is offered as a stand-alone option. The i-370’s Limited trim level offers leather seating, six-disc CD changer, heated eight-way power driver’s and six-way power passenger’s seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a sliding rear window.

The i-Series offer two engine choices. A 2.9-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with an impressive 185 horsepower teamed to a five-speed manual transmission powers the i-290. As four-cylinder engines go, the i-Series is one of the most powerful and fuel-efficient in its class. Those needing more power can opt for the 3.7-liter in-line five-cylinder engine offered only on the i-370 Crew Cab. Rated at 242 horsepower, the 3.7-liter seeks to strike a balance between power and fuel economy. This year’s larger displacement bumps the torque rating into the acceptable range, improving passing and acceleration over last year’s model.

2.9-liter in-line 4
185 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
190 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 (manual), 17/24 (automatic)

3.7-liter in-line 5
242 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
242 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22