2003 Isuzu Ascender

That extra length means not only full comfort for first and second row passengers, but one of the truly usable third row seats. Even grown-ups can get back there.

I know. I have some grownup friends who tried it out.

Access to the third row is good, too, and second and third rows fold flat fairly easily (since experiencing Ford's power folding seats, nothing less suits me) for cavernous cargo space.

The Ascender also gets a 275-horsepower version of GM's 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine. That's considerably more horses than much of its six-cylinder-equipped competition.

With an equal amount of torque and a four-speed automatic transmission, it trailers 5,500 pounds. Depending on individual torque, some of that competition tows more.

If this isn't enough muscle for you, there's the option of GM's pushrod Vortec 5300 V8 with 290 horses and 325 foot-pounds of torque. Although I had the inline six — and found it plenty capable for whatever I wanted to do — the option of the V8 makes Isuzu a much more serious player in this larger sport utility category. Compare these figures with the last Trooper's measly 215 horses. Ouch.

My test vehicle was also the two-wheel drive model, making it less expensive but no more fuel-efficient than the four-wheel-drive version. Four-wheel drive features a choice of modes, including automatic rerouting of power when slippage occurs.

Increasing the price on mine was many luxury options, however, including leather trim, mirrors with turn signal lights, Bose audio, running boards, climate control, heated seats, power everything and on and on. Very fancy.

The Bad News
Although ''the good news'' comes much more easily with this Ascender, there is still some bad news, too. Not real bad. Not Trooper bad. But considerations, nonetheless.

One is what the added length does to the Ascender's — and the Envoy XL's and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT's — handling characteristics. Instead of the crisp, responsive drivers the GM sport utes are in their shorter wheelbase versions, the longer versions feel like you're piloting a La-Z-Boy with rearview mirrors. Less than dazzling.

Also, I really wish Isuzu had invested more in creating their own interior environment. I'm really tired of GM's predictable plastic look throughout all its sport utilities. If Isuzu and GM want to create more upscale SUVs — which the Ascender appears to be — they need to acknowledge some of the real refinement they're up against from the Japanese and the Germans.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 15 mpg city, 20 highway.

Price
Manufacturer's base, $28,649.
Price as tested, $34,183

Is it worth it?
So if the Isuzu Ascender is the same thing basically as the GMC Envoy XL, what would compel someone to buy the Ascender?

Primarily, price and warranty. The Ascender's base undercuts the Envoy XL's base price by about $1,700, according to Isuzu. It undercuts much of the other competition by more than that, with only Ford Explorer coming close.

As for warranty, the Isuzu's seven-year, 75,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and roadside assistance stack up well against all the others offered. GMC's and most others' are three-year, 36,000 miles.

And don't dismiss the notion that some people will simply LIKE this Isuzu Ascender better than GM's versions. It's new, it's fresh, it's formidable looking.

But, best of all, it's not a Trooper.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville's daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.