Isuzu dealers have been starved for product in recent years, seeing Axiom, Hombre, Rodeo, and Trooper fade away without replacement. So, these rebadged GM trucks are much-needed nourishment for the product-starved dealer body. Like the Chevrolet S-10-based Hombre compact truck, the i-280 and i-350 leverage the GM-Isuzu partnership to deliver ready-made vehicles to the wafer-thin product portfolio. A simpler lineup than Chevy offers, the price-leading i-280 is a 2WD extended cab truck powered by a 2.8L/175-hp I-4. From this core configuration, the i-280 will be offered in four trim levels, ranging from pure utilitarian, workhorse to comfortably equipped with all the basic power amenities. The i-350 is 4WD crew cab pickup with a 3.5L/220-hp I-5 and automatic transmission. This model features a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system, larger tires, and an off-road suspension. A Limited Package can outfit the i-350 with such niceties as six-disc changer, leather trim, and moonroof.
