THE Isuzu Alterra is one full-sized SUV that is as iconic now as the monument of Jose Rizal in Luneta. Having been refurbished and face-lifted numerous times, the Alterra continuous to be a bestseller among families looking for a big, economical and functional vehicle.
On Thursday last week, Isuzu decided to again showcase the capabilities of the Alterra, this time the fully refurbished 2011 variant. Taking us to a new resort in San Juan, Batangas, the plush Pico de Loro Resort and Country Club, a group of motoring journalists got to try the mettle of the Alterra on the twisty roads of Tagaytay en route to the event’s destination.
At the resort, journalists were subjected to some physical challenges that were microcosms of what the Alterra could do, both on paved roads and rough terrain.
Divided into six teams, our team of Anjo Perez (Manila Bulletin), Ardie Lopez (Auto Extreme/BusinessMirror) and this writer, managed to finish a decent third in the competition. First place went to the team of Jenny Bleza and Matt Mallari (STV), Brian Afuang (Manila Times), and Paulo Subido (Top Gear Philippines). Second goes to the team of Danee Torres (Gadgets Magazine), Jeff Reyes (Philippine Star) and Iñigo Roces (Manila Bulletin).
The event, which was sponsored by Caltex, Reebok, Teva, Unilab, Thule and 199 Off-road House, was mainly about mountain bikes or, more precisely, assembling one, riding one on uneven terrain with a bottle full of water while managing to keep the liquid inside and finishing the whole course nearest to a specific target time.
The contest was more of a technical nature than a test of speed. Winning meant having more capabilities than just strong legs and healthy hearts (though having both gave teams a good head start.)
And just like the journalists and their mountain bikes, the new Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser could and did take us where we had to go, be it on paved, even highways or the rough, uneven off-roads.
Powered by the huge 3.0-liter 4JJ1-TC ITEQ CRDI turbo diesel engine, the new Alterra churns out 146 ps of power at 3,800 rpm and 294 Nm of torque. This meant that pulling and carrying power is enhanced with the help of its four-speed automatic transmission.
The capabilities of the Alterra Urban Cruiser is better felt on its 4x4 variant which is fitted with the shift-on-the-fly mode, which allows the driver to shift from two-wheel to four-wheel drive by the simple touch of a button even while the vehicle is in motion. The Alterra also has direct electronic shift control, grade logic, power mode and third start mode (means you can start in third gear when face with difficult climbing situations.)
But more than these, the Alterra still maintains the best interior system in any locally sold SUV. With an instrument panel that is electro luminescent and shows digital average consumption, meter display, digital odometer and tripmeter all in an orange hue.
The simulated wood face panel houses the audio system, climate control system and other amenities like the control for the video screens, which are attached to the front seat headrests and can be viewed by the rear passengers.
This entertainment system centers around a 2-DIN/DVD/MPEG4/RDS Tuner completed by seven-inch video screens and 10-speaker systems for that true surround sound ever (okay, that sounded like a commercial, but it’s true, anyhow.) And to make the passengers even happier, it has second row reading lamps, a rear defogger as well as lots and lots of cupholders.
The new Alterra is also equipped with a keyless entry system and push button start/stop function. This would be good for people who are loading their groceries or simply packing a whole bunch of things in their arms and are about to hop into the vehicle.
Finally, Isuzu added a few more things to the Alterra to make it more attractive than ever before. Halogen projector type headlamps, chrome grille with vertical fin inserts, side view mirrors with embedded signal lights and chrome door handles highlight the exterior.
All in all, this mainstay of an Isuzu vehicle was refurbished quite wonderfully enough to keep the driving public interested. Although it is one of the longest running SUVs in the market, buyer loyalty does not seem to be a problem. After all, having an Alterra is like being with family. And as in all families, it is always the journey that matters.
In Photo: A convoy of new Alterra Urban Cruisers motor along the twisty roads of Tagaytay.
