Rodeo V6 - a glutton for punishment

That is, until the Rodeo utes and Crew Cabs, built by Isuzu-GM, were given the quad-cam V6 engine familiar in the Jackaroo wagon.

In what might almost seem `hand-me-down' technology, the V6 had grown in capacity to 3.5 litres for Jackaroo, but Rodeo got the older 3.2 litre version.

Tested was the LT Crew Cab, with an interior that won praise on the release of this revised model with sleeker, more car-like styling, and the same still applies.

Dash layout is functional with ergonomic layout of controls, and the driving position is very comfortable for a basically commercial vehicle. Taller drivers could use perhaps a few mm extra legroom, but are helped by tilt-adjustable steering.

A commendable part of the ergonomic package is the stereo, located high in the dash for ease of use, which also enables drivers to adjust it without taking their eyes from the road for so long.

Interior storage space was boosted with a glovebox and utility box in the dashboard, plus numerous console boxes, cup holders and pockets in the door trims and seat backs.

As an up-spec LT, the test vehicle was well equipped, though in a strange way - power windows front & rear, but manual mirrors. Speaking personally, I'd put power mirrors ahead of fast glass in importance. And rear passengers might appreciate a delay on the interior light.

On the plus side, ventilation is simply excellent for our conditions and provides a strong flow of fresh air into the cabin without the booster fan. And the seats are unusually good with support ideally placed at all points, something we don't always see in commercially-oriented vehicles.

Biggest change, of course, is the V6 - which made its presence unexpectedly obvious with engine noise quite noticeable, particularly under anything more than moderate acceleration.

This is a proven quad-cam design which had acquired a smooth nature long ago, but it's the general engine-room hubbub that seems to make its way through to the cabin - a bit more than might be expected in a passenger vehicle, and that certainly describes a crew-cab.

Straddling two market niches might require a bit more insulation.

Unladen ride comfort is not too bad, remembering the inherent stiffness compared to coils of the rear leaf springs that are required to carry a 1-tonne payload. Rodeo's front end rolls smoothly over speed humps but the tail tries to hurdle them if moving too fast.

It felt more at ease with a 500kg test load aboard though, not even enough to raise a sweat on the V6, which is happy to trundle along at 110kmh with the tacho sitting on 3000rpm.

But our test Rodeo's auto transmission always seemed reluctant to change up. Even at very moderate throttle, whether in Normal or Sport mode, it would hold the lower gear for what seemed an unusually long time. That may have been a factor in our average fuel consumption of 13.5 L/100km (21mpg).

And the drum rear brakes on the test vehicle seemed a bit eager to lock up when it was unladen, with just a brief `chirk' of tyres on bitumen to make sure you are awake, but again this tendency disappeared with a load on board.

Despite those two minor quibbles, which in fairness were probably unique to the vehicle tested, the V6 Rodeo gave every indication that it would be a glutton for punishment - the sort that any hard-working  tradesman deals out to his vehicle every day.

Nuts-N-Bolts : Holden Rodeo V6 LT Crew Cab

Engine: 3.2 litre V6, DOHC, multi-point fuel injected.

Power / Torque: 140kW @ 5400rpm - 265Nm @ 4200rpm.

Suspension: Front - independent wishbone arms and torsion bars. Rear - leaf springs.

Steering: Variable ratio, manual or power assisted. (Power in test vehicle)

Brakes: Front discs, rear drums.

Transmission: 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic (tested)

Warranty: 3 Years/100,000kms. 24 hour roadside assistance.