In 1993, Isuzu unveiled a concept vehicle that turned heads and sparked conversations. Just four years later, against all expectations, the Isuzu Vehicross, a distinctive and unconventional 4×4, rolled off the production line. This Japanese automaker made a bold statement with innovative technology and a design that, to this day, remains strikingly divisive. In an era dominated by more conventional two-door 4x4s, Isuzu dared to be different, introducing something truly unique to the automotive landscape: the Isuzu VehiCROSS.
But the Isuzu VehiCROSS was more than just visually striking; it was engineered with genuine off-road capability. Equipped with Isuzu’s advanced Torque on Demand 4WD system, the VehiCROSS utilized traction control sensors to intelligently distribute power between the front and rear axles, optimizing grip in varying conditions. Inside, it boasted sporty Recaro seats and a potent V6 engine that delivered impressive performance for its time. Isuzu truly committed to the VehiCROSS’s bold styling, creating a vehicle that elicits strong reactions – love it or hate it. While personal preference is subjective, its audacious design is undeniable. Perhaps that makes some of us automotive “weirdos” for appreciating its unique charm. The VehiCROSS was positioned at a premium price point, and Isuzu’s unusual production strategy further solidified its exclusivity. The company opted for new stamping and tooling specifically for the VehiCROSS, intending to cease production once these tools reached the end of their lifespan.
These molds proved to be short-lived. By the time Isuzu concluded VehiCROSS production, a mere 4,153 units had been sold in the US, with a total of 5,958 vehicles manufactured globally. To put this into perspective, Ford sells roughly the same number of F-Series trucks every two days. Even DeLorean, another famously short-lived and unique car, saw over twice as many units produced. Inadvertently, Isuzu delivered a vehicle destined for cult status, establishing the VehiCROSS as one of the most peculiar and fascinating vehicles of recent decades, if not ever.
The Isuzu VehiCROSS may not have achieved mainstream sales success, but its distinctive styling and unconventional nature cemented its enduring legacy. The legendary VX has even been a topic of discussion on automotive podcasts, highlighting its continued relevance and intrigue. Like any limited-run, short-lived vehicle, owning a VehiCROSS comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you’re considering joining the ranks of VehiCROSS owners, or simply curious about this unique 4×4, understanding the realities of ownership is crucial. As someone who has experienced VehiCROSS ownership firsthand, let’s delve into the key considerations for anyone interested in this limited-production cult classic.
Uniqueness is Its Defining Trait
The defining characteristic of the Isuzu VehiCROSS is its sheer uniqueness. Many people have never encountered a VehiCROSS before, and those who have likely did a double-take, often unsure of what they were seeing. Driving a VX means embracing being the outlier, reflecting the vehicle’s inherently unconventional personality. If you enjoy being the center of attention, the VehiCROSS delivers in spades – prepare for constant stares and inquiries.
However, this constant attention can be a double-edged sword. The VehiCROSS attracts attention from all quarters, both positive and negative. This exclusivity also extends to the challenges of sourcing parts. With production long ceased, many components are out of production, making finding good condition replacements a difficult and costly endeavor. We’ll explore the parts situation further later on.
Surprising Handling for a 4×4
One of the VehiCROSS’s unexpected talents is its impressive on-road handling. Having driven one myself, I can attest to the genuinely surprising agility it exhibits on paved surfaces. Cornering in a VehiCROSS can be tackled at speeds that would induce significant body roll, or even a rollover, in other vehicles with comparable ground clearance and a high center of gravity. The VehiCROSS’s short wheelbase, minimal overhangs, and the driver’s close proximity to the front of the vehicle contribute to excellent visibility, fostering confidence on the road. Simply point, accelerate, and steer – the VehiCROSS responds with surprising precision and speed for a vehicle of its stature.
Yet, this sporty handling comes at a cost: ride quality. My VehiCROSS was equipped with suspension components that were already quite old, coupled with tires that, while not ancient, were a few years past their prime. Even with relatively fresh tires and what should be functional suspension, the ride was jarring over bumps. A closer look at the VehiCROSS’s suspension reveals the reason. Its static position effectively has the vehicle sitting near its bump stops. This design allows for substantial suspension down-travel, beneficial for off-roading, but severely limits up-travel for absorbing bumps. Even minor road imperfections send jolts through the cabin, with only the seatbelt preventing your head from hitting the roof. And those Recaro seats, while supportive, are notably firm. The combination of stiff dampers, limited uptravel, and firm seats results in a ride that feels like bouncing on a taut trampoline.
Standout and Quirky Features
Despite the harsh ride, those Recaro seats are undeniably stylish and provide exceptional lateral support, particularly compared to the typical seats found in 4x4s of the era. Having factory-installed Recaros this early in automotive history, before they became a mainstream automotive name, is a noteworthy feature in itself. The VehiCROSS also incorporates other quirky and functional design elements. The fuel door, for example, is locking and features a unique dual-action release mechanism. The rear seats fold completely flat, allowing the front seats to recline and create a makeshift sleeping platform in the passenger area. Furthermore, the rear seats can be easily folded up or even removed entirely, maximizing cargo space or accommodating an oversized spare tire that won’t fit in the standard molded spare tire compartment.
Unfortunately, these distinctive features and the vehicle’s exclusivity contributed to a substantial price tag. Adjusted for inflation, the Isuzu VehiCROSS’s 1997 base price of $28,900 equates to over $46,000 in today’s currency. This price point placed it in the vicinity of a well-equipped two-door Jeep JL Rubicon, and squarely within the territory of a lightly-optioned four-door Rubicon. It even approached the MSRP of popular off-road SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, and rivaled the price of the newly reintroduced Ford Bronco. Fortunately, the original high MSRP hasn’t fully translated to the used market prices yet.
Style Over Practicality
Given the Isuzu VehiCROSS‘s wild and unconventional styling, it’s perhaps not surprising that it didn’t capture the widespread affection of the broader automotive market. The primary appeal of the VehiCROSS for enthusiasts lies in its resemblance to a Mars Rover, or a futuristic interplanetary 4×4 imagined in childhood fantasies. Compared to its more conventional competitors, the VehiCROSS was, and remains, otherworldly. However, this dramatic styling came with compromises in practicality.
Simple tasks can become surprisingly complex. For instance, changing a headlight bulb requires a significant amount of disassembly in the densely packed engine compartment, particularly on the driver’s side. And while the standard spare tire is uniquely integrated into the rear, upgrading to a larger spare necessitates storing it either in the cargo area, sacrificing valuable space, or on a roof rack. The integrated spare tire carrier also creates a substantial blind spot, reminiscent of the FJ Cruiser’s rear visibility challenges, further compounded by blind spots at the rear three-quarters.
Trooper Underpinnings Provide Robustness
While practicality might not have been a primary design focus, the Isuzu VehiCROSS benefits from a robust foundation. Sharing its platform and four-wheel-drive system with the family-oriented Isuzu Trooper meant the VehiCROSS possessed genuine off-road capability. The widely utilized 3.5L V6 engine and GM-sourced 4L30-E transmission contributed to reasonable reliability (excluding known issues like TOD sensors and window regulators). This shared componentry also meant that basic maintenance was relatively straightforward and accessible to mechanics familiar with these common systems.
However, ease of maintenance is somewhat offset by parts availability. While components shared with the Trooper, a relatively popular vehicle, and the GM transmission are generally affordable, they are becoming increasingly harder to source compared to parts for contemporary rivals from Jeep, Toyota, and even Mitsubishi. When it comes to VehiCROSS-specific parts, such as body panels, lights, and the distinctive hood insert, the market is challenging and prices can be inflated. The situation mirrors that of the DeLorean, another low-volume cult car, but unlike the DeLorean, for which continuation parts are now being manufactured, the VehiCROSS’s unique tooling was intentionally limited, meaning original parts are finite.
Rarity Amplified Over Time
These factors of limited production and unique parts contribute to the “rarity tax” of VehiCROSS ownership. This rarity, however, is also a significant part of its appeal. Driving a VehiCROSS guarantees you’ll be the star of any car show or Cars & Coffee event. Even a simple trip to the grocery store becomes an outing in a vehicle more uncommon than almost anything else on the road. And, of course, the VehiCROSS is a guaranteed hit at any Radwood gathering, celebrating 80s and 90s automotive culture.
The rising popularity of 1990s Japanese vehicles, combined with the VehiCROSS’s cartoonish and unforgettable aesthetics, has finally led to appreciation in its value. This is good news for current owners, but less so for those now considering purchasing one. “Buy and hold” is the prevailing sentiment among enthusiasts. (In hindsight, selling mine now feels like a missed opportunity to stash it away as an appreciating asset).
Affordability Still Exists at a Price
Despite pristine examples climbing in value and approaching Bring a Trailer auction worthy prices, a VehiCROSS can still be acquired relatively affordably. Around $5,000 can get you into a VehiCROSS that is livable, especially if you are comfortable with some DIY maintenance and prepared to invest in upkeep and repairs. At this price point, few other vehicles command as much attention and offer genuine off-road capability combined with surprising on-road fun.
However, potential buyers should be aware that a $5,000 VehiCROSS will likely require work, quickly escalating the overall cost, especially considering the aforementioned expensive and hard-to-find parts. While cheaper examples might exist, they will invariably need even more attention and scarce components. Conversely, exceptionally clean, issue-free VehiCROSS examples are rapidly approaching the $10,000 mark.
Unmatched Visual Impact
The Isuzu VehiCROSS‘s ultimate strength lies in its unparalleled visual presence. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter and head-turner, particularly among those with automotive knowledge. You’ll be the talk of the town, or at least among car enthusiasts who recognize its significance. You’ll undoubtedly attract glances and attention wherever you go.
The downsides to this constant attention? Refer back to the points discussed earlier. Prospective owners should carefully consider their personality and tolerance for this level of attention.
By now, the recurring theme should be evident. The very qualities that make the Isuzu VehiCROSS so appealing also create its inherent limitations. It’s not a vehicle for the faint of heart. Ownership demands comfort with attracting attention and a willingness to invest time and effort in sourcing potentially scarce parts. This encapsulates the double-edged sword of owning a limited-run vehicle. It commands attention and admiration, but also presents unique challenges in maintaining it in peak condition.
The Isuzu VehiCROSS perfectly embodies the spirit of peak Radwood era vehicles, and its two-door, four-by-four configuration only amplifies its “radness.” Its appeal extends beyond mere aesthetics, making it difficult to fully explain to those who don’t inherently “get it.” It is, by definition, a true cult vehicle.
Owning a vehicle produced in limited numbers for a short period brings both advantages and disadvantages. My personal experience with the VehiCROSS was characterized by driving enjoyment (on smooth roads), amusement in ownership, but ultimately outweighed by the challenges of off-road limitations, parts scarcity, and general complexities. Do I miss mine? Rarely. When nostalgia does strike, it’s primarily for the sheer novelty of driving around and eliciting reactions from onlookers. The thought of an LS-swapped VehiCROSS with upgraded tires as a daily driver is appealing, but the financial impracticality quickly brings me back to reality.
My best friend spotted this one in Denver. Imagine it with an LSx/Tremec swap…
In the realm of practicality and real-world vehicle ownership, a Toyota 4Runner, acquired for a similar price to my VehiCROSS, proved to be significantly more versatile, useful, and less of a “toy.” While not a direct comparison, the 4Runner represents a pragmatic choice for daily driving and utility. Today, over two decades after the VehiCROSS debuted, it remains a captivating weekend vehicle, a visually stunning yet potentially frustrating ownership experience. While I appreciate them from afar, my personal infatuation with the VX ends there. Proceed with a purchase at your own discretion; I’ll happily admire them from a distance.
