Isuzu Traviz

What’s cool about this workhorse is that it has an amazing cabin. It can accommodate up to three people with spacious legroom, ergonomically designed interior, and better visibility.

Traviz has a built-in air conditioning unit, radio system with USB port, power steering, and easy to read instrument console that comes with speedometer, tachometer, fuel meter, and temperature indicator. The height of the cab also makes it easy and safe to hop in and hop out so it will be much more convenient for the driver and the passengers.

The Shift Lever and Parking Brake are within easy reach for utmost safety and to lessen driver’s fatigue. 

As for the material, the seats are clad in typical fabric, plastics all over the dashboard and the doors.

There is not much to talk about the exterior of the Traviz. The side mirrors are not power-adjustable and the design of the cab is simple but aerodynamic. This kind of design is actually good for fuel-efficiency. With a modern design and compact body build, the Traviz is ready to take your business wherever it needs to go, whether on narrow city streets, market alleys, and rough dirt roads. This is a very good selling point for the Traviz as it’s very flexible.

The toothed design grill may seem a little bit of weird but it actually adds up to the ruggedness look of the front fascia. Meanwhile, the two large headlights on both sides ensure increased visibility and illumination even when travelling at night. It still has the iconic white color and some chrome accents all over the body.

Its length is at 4450 mm, 1695 mm wide, and 1955 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2250 mm so it is more stable to drive at higher speeds.

The suspension is being handled by a double-wishbone with coil spring at the front and semi-elliptical leaf spring at the rear.

As for the wheels, the Isuzu Traviz is equipped with 14-inches radial tyres that promise decent traction and braking performance even on tough road conditions. Meanwhile, the hydraulic power steering wheel aides the car on providing the responsive feedback and are distinctively light during low speeds.

Given its lightweight body size, the Traviz can move in the busiest areas and drive in the narrowest of streets with only 4.5 meters of minimum turning radius to do U-turns

The Traviz is equipped with 2499cc, Isuzu 4JA1 Direct Injection Common Rail Blue Power Diesel Engine that gives the car a better fuel economy. It fires up to 78 PS at 3900 rpm and 176.5 Nm torque at 1800 revs per minute. Its mill is mated with 5-speed manual transmission.

Its engine is employed with Timing Chain to have a  longer lifespan. This engine technology was built with a durable axle, chassis, and 6-stud disc wheel. This what makes the Traviz capable of running longer mileage and carry heavy loads even during toughest conditions.

Braking is handled by a ventilated disc in the front and drum, leading, and trailing for the rear. Unfortunately, this car doesn’t come with Anti-Lock Braking System and it only has a hydraulic-vacuum assisted dual circuit as a brake assist system and deceleration sensing proportioning valve (DSPV) for brake control.

However, given that it has bigger front and rear brakes just like the other Isuzu pick-up trucks, Traviz also ensures superior braking power.

The only available safety features in this car are seat belt warning, height-adjustable front seat belts, crash sensor, front impact beams, side-impact beams, door ajar warning, and engine check warning.

Even though this one is bigger and bolder than its competitors Suzuki Carry and Mitsubishi L300, it is still quite disappointing that this one is more lacking than the other two. In spite of the flexibility, reliability, and affordability, it is safe to say that this workhorse will need much more improvements in terms of technology, safety, and design.