Isuzu Axiom

Isuzu Axiom in Nigeria

With the introduction of the Axiom, Isuzu expands its SUV specialty niche a little further. Axiom is mathematician jargon for "self-evident truth," and the process through which Isuzu came up with this word is interesting in and of itself. Isuzu requested this tag directly from the ranks of cyber-citizenry, rather than from marketing mavens or focus groups. The company's website-based name contest garnered more than 46,500 entries. For an electrical engineer from the Pacific Northwest, the winning moniker earned him a new Isuzu SUV of his choice.

Lineup

In the Isuzu lineup, Axiom sits between the Rodeo and the Trooper, and it shares more than 70% of its components with those two vehicles. Isuzu's five-model all-SUV portfolio is completed with the Rodeo Sport and VehiCROSS.

Axiom is available in two driving modes: two-wheel-drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). Four-wheel drive adds a significant amount to the purchase price.

There are two trim levels to choose from: base and XS. Leather upholstery, a four-way power passenger seat, fog lamps, bodyside molding, heated front seats, and a power sunroof with sunshade are all included in the XS variant.

Specifications of this vehicle

Interior

The cabin of Isuzu Axiom is perhaps just as interesting as the outside design - and far less divisive. Isuzu's designers aimed for a "European vibe with the inside, a crossover between sport-luxury and sport-utility vehicle," according to the company. It's an appealing package without a doubt. The interior of Expert's test vehicle was a two-tone tan and black mix of perforated and smooth leather, vinyl, and plastic, with a dash of brightwork tossed in for good measure.

However, the design falls short in terms of functionality. The sound system and climate settings are a mid-dash jumble of too many buttons crammed into too little space, and it's not something you'd want to fiddle with while driving. It appears that if Isuzu offered a set of steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls, the problem would be solved. Otherwise, switchgear is simple to locate and operate.

Overall, the XS has a very nice cabin, is quite comfortable on long trips, and has all of the amenities we've come to expect in our trucks.

Driving impression

The Isuzu Axiom is a high-performance crossover vehicle with the ride of a European sedan and the strength of a truck, according to Isuzu. That's a tough order for any vehicle to meet, but the Axiom manages to meld car and truck instincts admirably. It has the appearance of a station wagon, but it drives like a truck.

Axiom is supported by a full ladder frame, which was modified from the Rodeo. Body-on-frame construction (rather than unibody) was chosen by Isuzu for three reasons: strength, reliability, and longevity. It's a reasonably stiff chassis, with eight cross members. The chassis engineers were able to tweak the suspension for the optimum ride and handling without having to compensate for body flex as much. Drivers can choose between two suspension settings: Sport and Normal. Normal is a tad too soft and bouncy for bobbing and weaving on the bouncy ground. The Sport mode appears to clean things up nicely, with no discernible drop in ride quality.

Do you want to get your own Isuzu Axiom?

The Axiom is the most appealing Isuzu model to date. It's a one-of-a-kind design that's neither over-the-top nor bland. The cabin is car-like in terms of elegance and furnishings, yet truck-like in terms of space. The Axiom straddles a challenging engineering split in terms of performance, handling the daily commute as well as heavy off-roading. On Cars45, you can acquire yours at the best price. Now is the time to go.