Family favorite. Although it has been around for several years, the Isuzu Crosswind Sportivo still enjoys a huge following in the local car market

THIS writer’s younger sister owns a 2006 version while his younger brother has the 2005 one (his youngest brother owns a D-Max). And, you know, they all keep their Isuzu Crosswind Sportivos even when there are tens of other fascinating SUVs out there in the market, some of them a bit cheaper. The entire family knows they are good. But are they keepers?

Well, Isuzu did one on this writer again, and sent him their 2008 Crosswind Sportivo for a test drive. Guess what? It was enjoyable again! It has never failed to fascinate this writer how a vehicle from Isuzu like the Crosswind can have this kind of market stamina when it has been around for such a long time. Only Mitsubishi’s L-200/300 has the same history. Usually, a car’s market lifetime is only about five years. But both have been selling for over a decade now.

Let’s look at the Sportivo. It has basically the same body design, a little improvement in front and rear look, some enhancements in their interiors and quite a major improvement in its car entertainment system.

In short, there is really nothing radical about the Sportivo except for the minor changes that Isuzu slips in every year.

But, ah! That is probably the magic phrase: Small changes that endear the SUV to the market. A little adjustment to the front with its new billet grille to make the face of the Sportivo happier, and an aerodynamic roof rail and spoiler for that carry-all but sporty look. A beige and black interior with a little tweak on the dashboard to make it look classy on the inside. And, of course, that great entertainment system that Isuzu has always boasted of in all of its AUVs. Add to that a backup sensor and the backup camera that gives a rear view when going backward, and the little pips fit.

Small changes, tiny little things that make you appreciate driving the Sportivo daily.

And then there is the performance. This 2008 version has a smoother ride than the previous models; with its improved front independent double wishbone and torsion bar spring with stabilizer bar suspension, and the flex-ride semi-elliptical leaf spring rear suspension, it gives great and smooth driving, too.

Power is good with the Sportivo lugging under the hood a 2.4-liter Isuzu 4JA1-L Turbo Direct Injection Diesel engine that is Euro 2 compliant. It’s green and clean, but nothing is compromised because it pours out a maximum output of 85 ps at 3,900 rpm and a torque of 18.9 kg-m at 2,000 rpm.

The Sportivo carries eight passengers comfortably, but with a little adjustment of the seats, it can increase its cargo space to more than twice when needed. And since it is a diesel engine by Isuzu, carrying and pulling loads is not a thing to worry about.

There is a thing about the Sportivo that has to be pointed out, though. Included in its entertainment system is a small video output on the head unit on the dashboard. Being an advocate of driving safety, this writer has always maintained that features should not be distracting to the driver in order to avoid accidents. The head unit gives me the tendency to turn my attention to the screen and off the road, especially when the movie playing has an action scene.

But, by and large, the Crosswind is one hell of a survivor in a market that eats up the old versions like rust on metal by the sea. As this writer said at the beginning, his siblings all think this AUV is a keeper. It is an AUV wonder. This writer has always wondered how it lasted this long. Now he thinks he knows!

WHEN the Mazda 6 was first introduced, consumers deemed it as a penultimate or last option for the executive-sedan arena. Since then it has made much noise (such as being 2005 Philippine Car of the Year), but with stiff competition being introduced of late, can it be considered a contender?

THIS writer’s younger sister owns a 2006 version while his younger brother has the 2005 one (his youngest brother owns a D-Max). And, you know, they all keep their Isuzu Crosswind Sportivos even when there are tens of other fascinating SUVs out there in the market, some of them a bit cheaper. The entire family knows they are good. But are they keepers?

Eyes on the Road: Be cool behind the wheel

ON the road, we encounter motorists with varying driving habits that are sometimes irritating and can cause our temper to flare.

At such times, the No. 1 rule is that you must keep your cool. It’s a tip that my own father Paquito taught me even before I learned how to drive.

HAS the Word War between the Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) Geny Lopez and the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) Winston Garcia deteriorated into a Wasted Win?

THIS one is really small, but it comes huge in more ways than one.

It is fast, really fast. Easily, it can tackle 120 kph without much rpm.

It is spacious, as it can fit in five adults with much ease.

AN innovative and new technology for cleaning a car’s fuel system and engine internals has been introduced by All-Inclusive Sales Inc., a leading distributor of motor-vehicle components in the country today, as part of its various car-care solutions.