2008 Isuzu Ascender Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 25 Ascender reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Isuzu Ascender gets good scores in most federal government crash test categories, but does more poorly than most other SUVs in driver safety during frontal crashes. A plus is that side-impact air bags are newly standard for 2008.
In frontal crash tests, the 2008 Ascender gets four out of five stars for passenger protection, but only three stars for driver protection. It fares much better in side crash tests, earning top scores of five stars for both front- and rear-seat protection. The 4WD model gets a four-star rollover rating, while the 2WD model gets only three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2008 model a second-best score of "Acceptable" in frontal offsets tests and a second-worst score of "Marginal" in side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
The Ascender comes standard with daytime running lights and fog lights. It also includes Stabilitrak Electronic Stability Control, which combines anti-lock brake, traction control and stability control systems to help maintain directional command of the vehicle. Previous models also featured the OnStar communications system, but that was dropped in 2007.
Some reviewers point out that visibility is restricted "aft and over-the-shoulder by headrests, thick roof pillars," according to Consumer Guide. The Family Car also encountered a problem with the Ascender's headlights, noting both the "headlights and fog lights were inadequate in the rugged weather we faced." The reviewer explains "The height of all SUVs make their high headlight placement a concern when coming up behind someone at a stoplight and also when going through foggy weather. The lower the placement of your lights the better they are for reducing bounce back glare in the fog. That is why fog lights are best placed under the bumper."
Crash Protection
To protect occupants in an accident, the Ascender features driver and front-passenger air bags, as well as new head-curtain side-impact air bags, which were previously only optional. An automatic front-passenger airbag suppression system deactivates the front-passenger airbag to help reduce an airbag-related injury.
