At Isuzu, the largest SUV in the mix is the Trooper, a truck the company has been building for 15 years. The exterior design hasn’t changed much over time, and is beginning to show its age. In trying to keep up with the new SUVs hitting the marketplace, Isuzu has cleaned up the exterior a little bit — it is still a big box — and included many of the newest gadgets and luxury items.

Powered by a 24-valve, 215 hp, 3.5 liter overhead camshaft V-6 engine, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, this machine provides a comfortable experience on a long freeway journey.

The Isuzu Trooper is the largest SUV and the most recent to get upgraded with gadgets.

It rides beautifully for an SUV, with none of the harshness of many of its competitors, and none of the floating feeling of a large American car. Like many SUVs, it is touchy in tight turns or emergency maneuvers. In 1996, Consumer Reports gave the car an “unacceptable” rating because of what the magazine says is its tendency to tip over. Isuzu, which disputes the tests, has continued to churn out the vehicles.

The Trooper’s V-6 engine, although not for stoplight races, puts out plenty of power to move this 4,500 pounder over hills and dales. The truck tested for this review was a four-wheel-drive model with a transfer case and high and low gears available. The transmission has a power setting for shifting at higher rpms, and a winter setting for starting off in third gear.

Twisty, country roads invite genteel driving, but be careful to obey the posted suggested speeds for corners. You can easily get in trouble if you enter a sharp corner with just a little too much speed.

The interior is inviting and spacious with optional leather seats and good-looking imitation wood. With the rear seats down, its 90 cubic feet of cargo space exceeds most of its competitors. The visibility through the large windows is exceptional and contributes to a feeling of airiness in the cabin. The huge side mirrors fold up at the touch of a button.

Grab handles are everywhere. They came in very useful when my 84-year-old mother-in-law climbed up into the front passenger seat — no problem. The final grab handle she used is situated down between the passenger seat and the pull up parking brake. Once inside she said, “How much is one of these?” I told her and she said her 1994 Ford Escort is running just fine.

The split rear access doors, a Trooper specialty since its introduction, are not the best rear door arrangement. The large door with the spare wheel attached is very heavy, and when parked on a slope can easily get away from you. When it slams shut both rear doors vibrate visibly, but rattles are absent when driving through town. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. Reliability for the Trooper has been very good.

Prices range from $27,170 for the Trooper two-wheel-drive to $34,813 for the four-wheel-drive limited version. The four-wheel-drive with a five-speed manual transmission is $27,620; it jumps to $29,170 with an automatic.

Standard equipment for the basic includes air conditioning, an alarm system, front and rear antilock disc brakes, keyless remote entry, floor mats, cargo cover and net, power locks and windows, dual heated mirrors, cruise control and aluminum alloy wheels. No options are available on this model.

The LS, priced at $28,765 for two-wheel-drive and $30,765 for four-wheel-drive also includes rear privacy glass, reading lights, a six-disk CD in-dash changer, heated power front seats, transfer case, fuel tank and radiator skid plates, and leather wrapped tilt steering wheel. Options for the LS include an Anniversary Edition with leather, upgraded stereo and aluminum wheels, chrome sidesteps, badging and woodgrain trim for $2,600. A moonroof costs $1,100.

The top-of-the-line limited is priced at $32,813 for the two-wheel-drive and $34,813 for the four-wheel-drive. It also includes leather seats and moonroof. The only option is a $400 gold trim package.

The Trooper has the best power train warranty in the industry, at 10 years or 120,000 miles. In addition, a three-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/60,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance are standard.

The EPA fuel consumption estimates are 15 city/19 highway, overall 17 mpg was experienced during the test.

If you are attracted to a durable, well tested, comfortable SUV with great off-road abilities, large cargo area and the best power train warranty in the business, see the folks at Balboa Isuzu in Clairemont, Drew Isuzu in La Mesa or Ron Baker Isuzu in National City for a test drive.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.