2008 Isuzu Ascender Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$27,149 to $29,149
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Faced with dwindling sales and an aging design, Isuzu soldiers on with its 2008 Ascender, a value-oriented, midsize, five-passenger, four-door SUV. Offering no third-row seat and uninspiring interior quality, the ’08 Ascender is aimed at smaller families on a tight budget with large cargo-carrying needs. The Ascender is delivered in only one trim level, the base S, but is available in either a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) configuration. A single engine and transmission are offered with the ’08 Ascender.
For ’08, the Isuzu Ascender comes equipped with a 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder (I6) engine that puts out 285 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque. The I6 is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, and this combo is rated to tow a semi-respectable 5,800 pounds when equipped properly. The EPA estimates 14/20 mpg, which compares poorly with much of the Ascender’s competition.
The ’08 Ascender is described as lacking the handling and ride quality of more refined competitors such as the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner. Though the ‘08 Ascender’s highway ride is noted as comfortable enough, steering is remote, and cornering is iffy. Serious off-roading is not recommended with the Ascender 4WD trim.
The cabin in the 2008 Isuzu Ascender is spacious, with some 80 cubic feet of cargo space available with the rear seats down. Cabin storage space, however, is at a premium. Standard comfort, convenience, and appearance features for the ‘08 Ascender include 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires (4WD only), dual-zone climate control with rear-seat controls, velour cloth upholstery, 60/40 split rear seats, power windows and door locks, tilt-wheel steering, and a single-CD player.
Option packages for the ’08 Ascender include the popular Preferred Equipment Package, with rear privacy glass, power driver’s seat, remote keyless entry, and cruise control, as well as the LS Package, with a limited-slip rear differential, power sunroof, heated outside mirrors, 6-CD changer, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. There’s also the Luxury Package including color-keyed exterior trim, leather seating, with heated power front seats, power adjustable pedals, driver’s seat memory, and a premium Bose audio system. A satellite radio is also an available option with the ’08 Isuzu Ascender.
Standard safety features for the ’08 Ascender include four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, newly standard front and rear head airbags, seatbelt force limiters, child seat anchors, and child safety locks.
Owners of the 2008 Isuzu Ascender lament its poor mileage figures, shoddy interior material quality, its lack of third-row seating, and “lagging” transmission. Value, however, along with one of the best warranties available, is what draws owners to the ’08 Ascender, along with roominess, ride comfort, and adequate, if not inspired, performance.
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2008 Isuzu Ascender Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.42
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Paint: metallic · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rack color: black
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: upper and lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Tires
Type: all terrain
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 3.42 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: center · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Paint: metallic · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rack color: black
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: upper and lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Tires
Type: all terrain
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: intermittent