DESPITE the attraction of the flourishing breed of Sports Utility Vehicles out there, I never feel fully satisfied that my motoring scribe's 4x4 season is complete without spending a little time with one of the true all-terrain vehicles.
Not everyone wishes to be seen on the urban trawl as a dedicated follower of lifestyle fashion, particularly if much of your everyday business happens to involve towing things out of the bottom field!
So every now and then it's a pleasure to get into real world off-roaders like the Isuzu Trooper not so much a school run runabout more a highly competent on and off-road performer.
The Trooper has been around since 1987, and has always been admired by farmers, foresters and others who need a serious mud plugger. But it only began to make an impact on the wider buying public with the introduction of heavily revised models in the early 1990s.
Further revisions in 1998 and 2000 provided the Trooper with a more rounded look to the front end, courtesy of new front wings, bonnet, grille and headlamp set-up. This more distinctive countenance combining well with extended wheel arch mouldings to provide a bolder, more sporty stance on the tarmac.
Last year, a thoroughly revised three-litre turbo diesel was introduced, weighing in with improved economy, lower emissions and a more refined operation in a bid to compete with the SUV brigade. The Isuzu Trooper range also comes with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine option, which sports 214bhp at 5400rpm and beefy torque of 228lb ft at 3000rpm.
This product of Japan's largest and best-selling maker of trucks also comes with a trio of trim level options - Duty, Citation and the flagship model Insignia. Short and long wheelbase versions are available across the range and automatic transmission is also available, plus, there is even a seven-seater version for those with a multiplicity of passengers in mind.
My test car was the SWB Duty model powered by the latest three-litre common rail diesel engine which does its work, either on or off road, in uncomplaining fashion. There's 158bhp on tap while the benefits of the 245lb ft of torque can now be better appreciated via changes to the throttle assembly which provides a more controlled operation, particularly in off-road situations where the drive-by-wire accelerator could make things a little lively at times for some enthusiasts!
The Trooper features selectable all wheel drive. In normal use, two wheel drive is the best bet - and will save on fuel - but if you encounter difficult conditions, four-wheel drive high ratio can be called in at speeds up to 62mph via a fascia-mounted button, which switches you from normal rear-wheel-drive and back when required. Like all traditional off-road vehicles, the Trooper also has a low ratio transfer box with a floor-mounted lever adjacent to the gearshift.
In a comfortabl and roomy cabin, which is a tad more austere than some of its contemporaries, ride quality is good and the wider track of the latest model certainly helps to provide confidence building progress on the road.
Overall, the Isuzu Trooper remains a good example of the traditional all-terrain performer which, while perhaps not as trendy as some of today's lifestyle SUVs, is still a hugely reliable rural companion.
FAST FACTS
Isuzu Trooper 3.0 DT SWB Duty
Price: £19,995
Mechanical: 157bhp, 2,999cc 4-cyl turbodiesel engine driving two or all four wheels via 5-sp manual gearbox and low ratio transfer box
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 13.5 secs
Combined mpg: 26.9
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 287g/km
BiK Rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw