1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross: We’re cheating here since this magnificent mini went on sale in ’99, but we didn’t get our hands on one until our 2000 Four Wheeler of the Year test---which it very nearly won. The VehiCross had a lot going for it---direct injection, remote-reservoir monotube shocks, Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, ample ground clearance, great power-to-weight, and terrific approach and departure angles. What it had going against it, alas, were poor timing---automakers couldn’t build enough Durangos, Expeditions, Excursions and other oversized pork-utility rigs fast enough to keep up with consumer demand in the late ‘90s---and an undercapitalized corporate parent which was content to market the ‘Cross as a limited-production halo car (fewer than 4,500 were ever sold in the U.S.). With automakers nowadays using existing chassis to create purpose-built "niche" vehicles (think “Raptor” or “Rubicon” here), we think the VehiCross, like GM’s Quadrasteer, was an idea that’s ready to be revived. We’re not holding our breath, but we’d love to see something like this from an OE manufacturer again.
Nice!