The mid-size SUV Isuzu Axiom was born in 2001, at the same time its serial production started at a plant located in the American state of Indiana and owned (at that time) equally by Subaru and Isuzu. Officially, the car was sold only in the US and Costa Rica markets, though not for long - already in 2004, the "Japanese" finally left the assembly line due to the transfer of the enterprise under the full control of Subaru.
Axiom is a five-door mid-size SUV with the following external body dimensions: 4638 mm in length, 1707 mm in height and 1796 mm in width.
The car has in its arsenal a wheelbase and ground clearance of 2703 mm and 200 mm, respectively, and its "combat" weight ranges from 1820 to 1965 kg, depending on the modification.
For the Isuzu Axiom, one 3.5-liter V6 petrol "aspirated" was offered, equipped with a DOHC timing belt with 24 valves and distributed power technology. Initially, the engine generated 233 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 312 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm, but by the end of the SUV's life cycle, its performance increased to 253 "horses" and 333 Nm of peak thrust at identical rpm.
Together with the engine, an exclusively 4-speed "automatic" with three operating modes and a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive TOD transmission with a limited slip differential and a "razdatka" with a reduction gear were installed.
The five-door body of the Isuzu Axiom rests on a powerful 8-section frame on which the power plant is mounted longitudinally. The front suspension on the SUV is an independent torsion bar structure, and the rear is a solid beam suspended on a lever-spring architecture.
In addition, the vehicle is equipped with dual-mode gas shock absorbers with variable characteristics depending on driving conditions. The "Japanese" boasts a hydraulic booster built into the rack and pinion steering gear and disc brake center devices "in a circle" (ventilated at the front).
"Axiom" is notable for its good looks, rather reliable design, efficient engine, roomy interior, good equipment, excellent dynamics and decent off-road properties.
On the other hand, its negative aspects include indistinct handling, expensive maintenance, problems with spare parts, an unbalanced chassis and high fuel consumption.
In 2016, in the secondary market in Russia, Isuzu Axiom is offered at a price of 400 ~ 550 thousand rubles (depending on the condition, mileage and configuration).
