High Maintenance
wokeup on 11/20/2009
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 1
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 2
Reliability: 2
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 2
Great looking and a great ride, but very poor mpg on highway 15. Also, at 70,000 mi it fell apart, new water pump, new alternator, stabler track problems, fuel gauge problems, window on passengers side leaks and exhaust leak. Not to mention normal maintenance of breaks and belts. Low initial price, but they make up for it later down the road on repair costs.
Real SUV no crossover!
OHIO BOY on 07/17/2009
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
If you want a real SUV this a great car. The mileage is not great but it is a big SUV . Brakes are a problem on this SUV . The heat builds up and takes out the rotors. Put the better rotors on it.
Bargain for a solid SUV
John on 09/19/2007
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
A solidly built SUV at a great price is good choice for anyone who wants a basic utility vehicle. The engine is great, with lots of power and good gas mileage. Speaking of gas mileage, remember, if you live in a cold climate and have a lead foot, every SUV will eat gas, but GM's powerful engine lets you use a light foot and still get sufficient power. I average 19 mpg in everyday driving, 21 on the highway as long as you keep it below 80. That's probably as good as real-world results for most crossovers. So if what you want is a car that has more room, get a crossover. If you like to haul, tow and drive on dirt, these GMs are good choices, and the Isuzu has the best warranty (pre 2007).
My Truck
Rebecca on 08/25/2007
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I love this truck. I drove from Virginia to California and it was the most comfortable ride I have ever had. Even with towing a U-haul trailer this truck had no problems going up the mountain and was so easy to handle. I am a person who trades vehicles in every 2 years, I believe I will have this truck for a lot longer.
poor quality, not worth the money!
scott kelso on 11/02/2006
Performance: 3
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 2
Interior Design: 2
Exterior Design: 2
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 2
Reliability Rating: 1
I have only had my Ascender for 4 months now and I have been back to the dealership 6 times. Driving lamps 3 times, rear seatbelt 3 times, transmission 4 times and body molding 2 times. Transmission shifts hard on long trips. Driving lights keep fogging up. The front bumper moves up and down while driving. Center console wiggles by just putting your arm on it.
just like the Envoy
sign guy on 07/31/2006
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
Made by GM and looks just the GMC Envoy but has a better warranty.
Jimmy goes Isuzu
Luv2Go on 07/28/2006
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 4
I enjoy the Isuzu Ascender, it's a nicely designed vehicle which has a great turning radius for an SUV. The driving performance is smooth and acceleration transitions nicely. Its competitor, the Envoy, has better standard features and doesn't skimp on basic items as a resume button for cruise control. The Ascender is great for a small family of 4 taking a trip. Rear cargo is adequate for big suitcases.
enjoy
cliff on 07/09/2006
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Wonderful but needs cruise control.
Save Your Money Buy A Dodge!
Pete on 07/07/2006
Performance: 2
Comfort: 2
Fuel Economy: 1
Fun To Drive: 1
Interior Design: 2
Exterior Design: 2
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 2
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 2
Reliability Rating: 1
I was told this is the top of it's class. It had a high towing capacity. I needed something to tow my boat and that would be good on gas. I've owned this SUV for almost 5 months and I had to go back to the dealer 6 or 7 time to fix it. I should of done more research on this SUV. I went to the dealer after the second visit in the first week of owning the SUV and talked to the man and told him if I could have my older car back and he could keep the $3500 I gave them, well I guess you no how that turned out. The Isuzu is a Chevy. I called Isuzu and told them all the problems that I'm having; the man that should help me said "I'm sorry sir, but I pull my boat with a Dodge." Now that was funny to me.
Best Kept Secret
dapperD on 07/03/2006
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
I have only had this Ascender for a short while but fell in love with it the moment I took it on a test drive. It has a very soft ride for city driving. Highway driving while smooth is a bit choppy. I think it has to do with aerodynamics and that I'm used to owning a car. Compared to the Ascender's cousins (Trailblazer, Envoy), it can't be beat for warranty and price. I bought mine brand new for $19,965. Apparently, Isuzu was offering quite a bit off of MSRP yet it wasn't advertised. This is almost $7,000 off of sticker price (I think it's because Isuzu is in big trouble financially). How was I going to pass that up? This SUV is a beauty and you won't see many on the road.
Drive it before you buy it
great deal by Jeff on 06/28/2006
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Large suv, plenty of room for all sized people and cargo. Has plenty of power with 6 cylinder; if you are looking for a large suv check it out but drive it before you buy it. It is large, but you can get a good deal on pricing. Get the preferred package which adds to its good looks and you get lots of extra goodies.
love it
scuba1600 on 06/08/2006
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Love it so far, but it is new. I'm coming from a Mitsubishi Outlander, so anything probably would be luxury and wonderful to drive compared to the Outlander. Hopefully I get many, many good, comfortable miles from my Ascender. I like the power, soft ride that it gives. Just wish the base model came with cruise control and floor mats, and not having keyless entry in the base model is ridiculous.
Worth The Price Spent For It
Alex on 03/19/2006
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This SUV is great. I love the way it handles, almost like a sports car. Strong yet responsive. To know I have a 4.2 really feels like security. I recommend it to all who do not have a big family; recommend it if you've never had an SUV. Try it and you might buy.