1996 Isuzu Hombre Driving Impressions Review at Automotive.com
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1996 Isuzu Hombre Review: Road Test

Resale Price: $350 - $1,100 / Used Value Calculator
Value Rating: N/A / Maintenance Costs
Fuel Economy: 23 MPG city / 30 MPG highway / Engine Specs
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1996 Isuzu Hombre Review

A stylish hauler that's also budget conscious.
Driving Impressions
All Hombres are 2-wheel drive. What is lost in off-road ability--something most buyers

in this category don't care at all about--is gained in highway ride comfort. And the

Hombre is extraordinarily smooth by pickup standards. Even though this is a truck,

with rear springs designed to accommodate a range of loads, its deportment with an

empty cargo box is surprisingly free of wheel hop on rough surfaces.

It is also quite maneuverable, a trait that's enhanced by good visibility from the

driver's seat, making it easier to see what you're maneuvering into or away from. A

high seating position, lots of glass area and good power steering see to that.

Stopping ability is very good as well; all Hombres have standard ABS, a feature not

available on base S-Series or Sonoma versions. That, too, is a plus in a pickup with

an empty cargo bed, since the rear wheels are more likely to lock up under hard

Review Sections
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braking when there's relatively little weight at the back of the truck.

Simplicity is the word for the Hombre's powertrain. There are no choices; if you want

anything but a 4-cyl. engine and 5-speed manual transmission, shop elsewhere.

But both engine and gearbox are up to the job. The engine's 118 hp rating may not

sound impressive, but is sufficient to keep pace with traffic and manage Hombre's

1200-lb. maximum payload. It scores equally well when rated for smoothness and

economy, and has a good durability record.

Towing is another story, of course. If you're planning to attach a trailer that weighs

more than about 2000 lbs., you'll be better off with the 4.3-liter V6 offered in the

S-Series and Sonoma trucks.

Under way, Hombre is relatively quiet for a no-nonsense basic pickup. GM engineers have paid much attention to sound insulation, and have developed door seals that help to cut down on wind noise. Based on our experiences, we think most buyers will be able to drive the Hombre for long distances without discomfort or fatigue. Next Page

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