I'm well aware of all the above,but it doesn't exempt isuzu from being "lazy" trying to do better on the development of the VX performance.
No body debates the reliability of the VX,as all isuzu's on the road right now it's well built,however isuzu was able to 'add' more to the VX for the amount of money the VX was priced in 1999.
If in order for isuzu to add more to the VX was requiring to add heavier drivetrain parts,better & stronger engine & all the stuff you mentioned i'll be up for that,that's why the grand cherokee was faster yet still heavier then the VX.
I wish i can able to swap this 3.5L for a MDX engine which if fact shares a lot common things.
For $ 30,000 the customer deserved more & that's why the VX wasn't sold well good to the point dealers had to come down with deals to get them outter their lots,that was a shame having in consideration that the VX is a unique vehicule.