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Detail-wise, the exterior of the Crosswind doesn’t make it as respectable as a comparatively priced car. Although all the rain channels have bee integrated well into the re-designed body (unlike the visible ones still seen on the face-lifted Adventure), the rubber mouldings are still a decade behind since they are at least half an inch in thickness. Moreover, the thick moulding at the rear door doesn’t allow this Isuzu to escape its AUV heritage. Both the Revo and the Adventure already feature flush rear windows giving these two respectively a more elegant and upscale look. Inside, the theme of the Crosswind is again one of simplicity. There is no wood or leather trim in here. However, what is special about the Crosswind is that the layout is decisively more car-like than the Toyota Revo. This takes into account of course that although the Revo features leather and wood trim as part of their top-line model, there are still exposed pieces of body-colored metal visible inside, detracting from the luxury image. Ergonomics is nothing special with the Crosswind, although everything falls within easy reach of the driver including the high-mounted stereo cassette controls. The air conditioner controls are still very much 80s with their slide switches while the pull-and-twist type handbrake is also a blast-from-the-past. The instrumentation cluster is also very simple: there’s no fuss in here, just the basic information displayed cleanly and clearly. Unfortunately, the steering wheel is set a bit too high compared to a passenger car giving an overall impression that the Crosswind isn’t comfortable to drive. Interior space is especially good for the people up front. However, those riding on the second row of seats as well as the side-facing benches may complain regarding the lack of knee and head room. In fact, much like other AUVs available here, the side-facing benches are practically unusable except for emergency circumstances. The heart of the Crosswind XTO is its 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine that delivers a measly 85 bhp at 3900 rpm. Clearly, this is no match for the higher horsepower output gasoline engines of the similarly priced Adventure (114 bhp) and Revo (105 bhp). However, the Crosswind clobbers the competition when it comes to pulling power as the Crosswind has a class leading 189 Nm of torque at a low 2000 rpm. The engine characteristic of the Crosswind is just as simple as the rest of the car: twist the key and it cranks, shakes to life and grumbles on in the usual truck-like diesel way. This is no BMW X5 diesel or even Kia Carnival folks: the 2.5-liter turbo diesel is sourced from a truck, and Isuzu made no effort disguising this fact. On the open road, the Crosswind feels very stiff and is heavily compromised through bumps, even the small ones. Overall, the ride is unbelievably nauseating for the last row passengers. The chances of passing out are high, since there’s no headroom separating the occupants from the thinly padded roof (ouch!). On the plus side, the Crosswind overall ride quality is better than the first-generation Mitsubishi Adventure, which is even more bouncy than this vehicle. Steering is actually more communicative in the Crosswind rather than the Revo. However, there’s still a feeling of vagueness from the driver’s seat. What’s more, the Crosswind isn’t a sports car: don’t expect to take corners at high speeds. The tall nature of this AUV coupled with the prehistoric leaf spring rear suspension makes body roll very evident. In fact, to the inexperienced, it would feel as if the Crosswind would have the tendency to topple over each corner it would take. |
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