Amigos
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Introduced in spring of 1989, Isuzu's Japanese-built compact sport-utility vehicle focused more on sport than on the utility end. The Amigo came with 2-wheel or on-demand 4-wheel drive and a choice of engines. A 96-horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine went into the 2-wheel-drive S model, but other Amigos got a 120-horsepower, 2.6-liter four. Both engines drove a 5-speed manual transmission. Choices extended further--to two or four seats, an open or enclosed cargo area, and either of two trim levels (S or XS). All versions had two side doors and a side-opening tailgate, which held a full-size spare tire.
Isuzu revived the compact Amigo, last seen in 1994, in a fresh form for the 1998 model year. Available with either rear-drive or 4-wheel drive, Amigo shared its basic design with the larger Isuzu Rodeo 4-door sport utility wagon, but wore a shorter 2-door body. The semi-convertible body had a folding soft top over the back seat, as well as a pop-up sunroof. Two engines were available: a 4-cylinder and a V6. The 2.2-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder produced 130 horsepower, versus 205 hp for the twin-cam 3.2-liter V6. Five-speed manual shift was standard, with a 4-speed automatic transmission optional for Amigos with the V6 engine. Like Rodeo's 4WD system, the Amigo's setup was not intended for use on dry pavement, but it included pushbutton shift-on-the-fly between 2WD and 4WD, along with separate low-range gearing. Four-wheel antilock braking was standard.
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Timeline
1989-1994 (First Generation)
Sales of the three-door began in the United States during the second quarter of 1989 under the "Isuzu Amigo" name. A 2.3-liter 4ZD1 inline-four engine, producing 102 hp (76 kW) came standard with the RWD while the 4WD was offered with the 2.6-liter 4ZE1 engine. The transmission was initially manual only. There were very limited options for the early Amigo including air conditioning, seating for two or four, and two trim levels to choose from, S or XS. Some of the model year changes throughout production included: small cosmetic alterations for 1991, the standardization of the 2.6-liter engine for 1992, and the added availability of a four-speed automatic transmission on the RWD version for 1992 and 1993. No major changes were made for 1993, but for 1994, a high mount rear stop light was added, power steering and mirrors were made standard. The Amigo was dropped by Isuzu in the US market in 1994. A limited number of XS-F editions (with the "F" standing for "Frontera") were produced which had a additional options such as power windows and locking, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) (inactive in low-range 4WD mode, only active on the rear wheels in 4WD high-range). This version of the Amigo had only 49-state emissions (reasons unknown) and there are no official sales numbers, although most dealers agree there were less than 75 sold. The only badging that shows this model is a sport blue "XS" symbol with a sport-font "F" beside it (also sport blue).
1998-2000 (Second Generation)
The Amigo made a comeback in the US for 1998 with the second generation model. Both the Amigo and Rodeo were built in the assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Amigo came standard with a soft top. Exterior differences in the Amigo and Rodeo other than the wheelbase includes a rear mounted spare tire, 16-inch wheels, and larger fender flares. Standard features on the Amigo included split folding rear seats, tilt steering, dual power ports, power windows, mirrors and door locks, keyless entry and AM/FM CD players. The second series Amigo seats four people comfortably, however it can seat up to five. Amigos with the GM-sourced, 130 hp (97 kW) 2.2-liter X22SE (Vortec) inline-four engine are few and far between, mainly because previous owners complained to Isuzu that a V6 needed to be standard. Although a small SUV, it still weighed 4,250 pounds (1,930 kg), needing a lot of horsepower for everyday driving. Isuzu’s answer to this was the 3.2-liter, 205 hp (153 kW) 6VD1 V6 that carried 214 pound-feet (290 N·m) of torque at 3,000-rpm which is the same motor that the Rodeo carried. Fuel consumption is an estimated 22 mpg-US (11 L/100 km) highway. From a technical prospective, the Amigo is built with a rigid frame that has eight crossmembers. Front suspension has independent lower and upper arms, with a solid rear axle. Riding in the Amigo can feel much like a full-size truck, feeling a lot of bumps in the road. All units came with pink airbags and side impact door beams, as well as ABS. The Amigo came standard with Isuzu’s 10-bolt rear axle and a push button four-wheel drive button. Amigo also has a traditional floor mounted lever for switching from high- to low-range.
2000-2003 (Rodeo Sport)
The Amigo was renamed in 2001 to the "Rodeo Sport" to compliment the more successful five-door Rodeo. The Amigo series was produced until 2003, while the Rodeo was dropped in 2004.
Drivetrain / Powertrain
4ZD1 SOHC 8 valve
4ZE1 SOHC 8 valve
6VD1 DOHC 24 valve
Trimlines
Repair and Tech
(Links to vehicle-specific repair and tech articles.)
