Absoloutly nothing.
This car is great. How many people can say they have even heard of an Isuzu VehiCROSS? There has not been one day that I have had the car that someone dosen't ask about it. Someone even asked me if it was the new Hummer.
This car isn't for everyone with its bold styling, but one who appreciates luxury, comfort, performance and phenomenal offroad ability will appreciate the VehiCROSS. Imagine part Jeep, part Land Rover, part sports car and of course the wonderful Isuzu 10 year warranty and you get a car that you can't miss with.
I've already taken it on a number of trails and with its 8.5 inches of GC and its TOD 4x4 system, it's great!
My friends love it and people are dying to get shotgun in my VehiCROSS.
Ummmm... The Vehicross did indeed go into production, although on a limited scale. Every once in a while I see one cruising around. Interesting looking vehicles, to say the least.
Dunno what the original reviewer meant by the Isuzu Jeep thing. Maybe he had an Isuzu and a Jeep. Jeep with an Isuzu engine transplant? Maybe he just filled out the form wrong. Who knows?
Yes this was a concept car, and it was only in production for 3 years, and that was the plan. It was first tested in Japan and brought over to boost Isuzu sales. BUT with the price not too many sold. I am looking right now for a new 2001 with no miles, and have found FIVE at a dealer in GA. SO YES they do make this CONCEPT car :0)
It just looks fantastic... It will probably become a collector's car since only a little bit more than 3100 were sold in the US. Can't wait to buy one.
It is nice to drive around it a vehicle not many people have.. It has been great for me. I had a nice 3000gt and wanted to get back to a suv so this is the only one that would match the performance conversion off road and stylish. I was ahead of it's time now all the latest suv are looking similier to it.
My dream vehicle has actually become a reality! It is now going on 3 years old & I still get asked if it is brand new. I greatly enjoy driving vehicles that are such "head-turners"!
This car is absolutely incredible. I did not know that there were only 3100 sold in the U.S. from 1999 to 2001.
I do know that I was the last person to purchase a new 2001 Isuzu Vehicross on December 17, 2002. The car had 90 miles on it when delivered. I have no idea how it managed to sit on the dealers lot for almost two years.
I had to have it shipped to Pittsburgh from L.A. at a cost of almost $1000. I still feel like I stole it. Total financed cost, with no down, was under $26,000.
There is not a day that goes by, that someone doesn't ask me about it. incredible
Bruce.
I bought my Vehicross brand new late 1999 to compliment my Corvette. The VX is an amazing machine. No problems with it to speak of. However I keep hearing about possible catastrophic engine failure above 50,000mi caused by crankshaft bearings.
I won’t get upset by the opinion expressed about the styling of the VehiCROSS in the previous post – I agree that this is a personal thing.
I would also not get upset by the comments made regarding ‘Sports Car’ and ‘Jeep’ if it was based on owning a VehiCROSS, or even driving one (they don’t state either).
I also have never driven one of these wonderful looking vehicles, but all reviews I have ever read by respected publications have rated the design and engineering very highly.
I’m based in the UK, were there are very few examples available, so I’m looking to import from Japan (they drive on the same side of the road as the UK – the left)
I used to think the VehiCross was really unique and cool, until I noticed that it is basically the Amigo/Rodeo Sport 2 dr with some styling changes, a leather interior, and the engine from the Trooper. Look at both in profile and you will see what I mean.
Considering its drawbacks including almost NO rearward visibility through the tiny rear window, it is not hard to figure out why it's sales never reached Isuzu's expectations and was ultimately withdrawn after just a couple of years on the market.
Sorry, I still think they're kind of ugly. Sort of an Aztek and a Pacer only more sci-fi!
A vehicle "wayyyy" ahead of its time.
Isuzu's former Vehicross and Axiom models designer/architect
went on to work for Nissan and designed the Murano and Infinti
FX35. Now he's considered a genius! When he designed vehicles for Isuzu they were too quirky. Go figure!
The Vehi-Cross was literally light years ahead of its time from the "looks" standpoints. You will see that Mazda is just now coming out with a similar vehicle at a similar price point ($30,000 plus).
The limited production of the vehicle was due to the ceramic tooling used to form body panels (Good for only about 5,000 units). And yes, the Vehi-Cross was hand built off the assembly line.
The Vehi-Cross is not in the least bit similar to Amigos or Rodeos, and shares no body panels with those vehicles.
The fatal flaw with the Vehi-Cross is not in design or execution of production, but with Isuzu Corporate itself and its misunderstanding of how to market in America. Mazda's new entry in this unique crossover market will sell many thousands more due to its better understanding of our marketplace.
I own a 1999 Black Vehi-Cross and a Lotus Esprit Turbo. I drive the Vehi-Cross daily simply because it's so much fun. For those interested in a used vehicle, do not select Vehi-Cross if you don't want the attention that it gathers.
No, the reason that the Mazda CX-7 will succeed where the Vehi-Cross failed is styling that is attractive without being such the obvious bid for attention that the Vehi-Cross was. Isuzu managed to sell plenty of Amigos, Rodeos and Troopers, so ineffective marketing was not the issue. People are looking for style or utility value when shopping for a vehicle; the best sellers manage to combine both. The Vehi-Cross had neither. Frankly the car looked like a grown-up toy with its exaggerated fender flares and acres of gray plastic molding. The writer of the previous comment is right about one thing: the Vehi-Cross will attract a lot of attention wherever it goes. Problem is, not all of it would be favorable.
Oh, gimme a break... the VehiCross was a trend setter that every other manufacturer copied over and over. Nothing from Mazda will ever look as cool as this once in a lifetime automobile.
I bought a 97' Japan imported Vehicross mid 05. I have been using the car for my work, driving to work sites where 4wd is required. Was 56000km when I got the car and had done extra 40000km since then. Except for frequent servicing and a wheel alignment, the car does not need any repair work. The car spent most of its time in remote areas where 4wd is required. The reliability of this car is excellent. Japan version of vehicross has built in reverse parking camera. Luckily for that camera, I managed to stop when one small kid was running behind my car as I was reversing out from my garage. This car attracts lots of attention, young, old, male or female.