2008 Isuzu Ascender

Model strengths:
Plenty of power from GM-sourced 4.2L V6; rugged truck chassis; lots of cargo room; good seven-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty; competitive pricing.

The 2008 Isuzu Ascender offers a pleasant ride on the tough chassis it shares with the Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, and it draws its 285 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque from the same 4.2L V6. The Ascender is available in three trim levels-S, LS, and Luxury-and each comes in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.

All Ascenders come with a rear intermittent wiper, fog lamps, trailer hitch, 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable front seat headrests, a 65/35 split folding rear bench seat, power windows and locks, tilt steering, air conditioning with dual-zone climate control, and a rear auxiliary outlet.

The Ascender LS and Luxury models add an automatic locking rear differential, dual heated power mirrors, privacy glass, a power moonroof, roof rail crossbars, remote keyless entry and alarm system, cruise control, and an in-dash six-disc CD changer with six speakers. The LS features an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar support, while the Luxury also adds the same adjustability to the passenger seat. Other Luxury-only features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Bose six-speaker stereo system, front heated seats with two-position memory for the driver, and leather-appointed seating.

The S model is available with a Preferred Equipment Package, which adds keyless entry, dual power mirrors, cruise control, an overhead console, and several other amenities found in LS and Luxury models. XM satellite radio is optional on LS and Luxury models.

Standard safety features across the 2008 Isuzu Ascender model range include daytime running lights, front air bags, head curtain side-impact air bags four-wheel antilock disc brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitor.