MANILA, Philippines - One hundred thousand owners and still going strong: that’s the dedication of the Filipino consumer to the Isuzu Crosswind. Continuously updated to keep in touch with the ever-changing times, the Crosswind was recently tasked to give a small group of motoring media to sample what it’s like to live the life of a typical Crosswind owner: one that takes him from the hustle-and-bustle of city life to the peace and tranquility of a weekend getaway.
The first in two-leg drive series takes the formidable Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) to Anilao, Batangas which is known for its rich water and diverse marine life; certainly a great place to hang out on weekends. However, it requires everyone to get out of Manila first. Sampling an earlier version of the Crosswind as a passenger, it’s surprising how durable it is. It’s solid and squeak-free despite clocking in over 77,000 kilometers. Aside from its well-built interior, this older version still had the most frigid cabin thanks to its powerful air conditioning.
After a hearty breakfast in Alabang, it’s time to switch saddles and try out the 2015 Crosswind for the first time. It shares the same basic architecture as all previous models save for some cosmetic enhancements. These changes include: headlights with sweeping graphics at the bottom, a silver six-hole grille, a one-piece body-colored front bumper (with built-in over rider), a shark fin style radio antenna, a matte black spare tire cover, black aluminum side step boards, and revised designs for the 15-inch alloy wheels. More importantly, these changes are proudly designed and engineered in the Philippines from conceptualization to clay modeling to actual production. In short, it’s proudly Philippine-made for Filipinos.
Hopping on board, it comes as no surprise that the Crosswind remains a family favorite because of its spaciousness. Whether as a front or rear passenger, it has generous amounts of head, shoulder, and leg room all around. In the range-topping Sportivo X guise, it can fit up to seven passengers comfortably.
“It is in its functional design and driving ease that makes the Crosswind the ideal everyday vehicle,” remarks Isuzu Philippines’s president Nobuo Izumina during his welcoming speech. “It’s fitting then that we show the Crosswind’s strengths in the best way possible—by letting you drive it on actual road conditions,” he adds.
From there, it’s time to get going and sample the Crosswind from Alabang to Tagaytay via Daang Hari. Equipped with a 4JA-1L direct-injection, turbocharged diesel engine, it does a very modest 85 hp and 185 Nm of torque. What these figures don’t tell you is how easy it is to operate. By and large, it’s designed to be a cruiser. The five-speed manual allows you to shift quite early gaining momentum slowly but steadily. It’s no sedan or SUV, so you can’t expect it to carve through corners or accelerate like a locomotive. Treat it properly though, and it’s comfy and capable.
After a quick visit to the Puzzle Mansion and the Orlina Museum, it’s time to go down to Anilao via the Agoncillo – Laurel Road. At this point, the relatively straight roads become a twisty combination of up- and downhill roads. Again, a rethink is in order to appreciate the Crosswind’s on-road demeanor. Saw the steering wheel like a sports car and it’s a mess of understeer and body roll. Being gentle with the steering inputs though rewards the driver with a ride that’s massively comfortable. It’s so comfortable that at one point, it cradled everyone to sleep including Isuzu Philippines’s Executive Vice-President Takashi Tomita. There’s also a marked improvement in ride quality compared to previous Crosswind models.
After nearly 200 kilometers from the confines of Manila to the chilly atmosphere of Tagaytay City, the convoy reaches the newly opened resort of La Chevrerie in Anilao, Batangas. And it has done so going through some rough patches and heavily pitted roads along the way. Of course, it remained unfazed by any of it.
“The Crosswind model still stands as one of our bestselling vehicles and we expect it to continue holding its position in the AUV segment,” says Izumina. “We can attest to its durability and reliability which is why the model keeps on getting patrons whether in the city or provincial market.”
Beyond its durability and reliability, Isuzu Philippines’s continuous stream of upgrades enabled them to sell close to 5,000 units of the Crosswind last year making it the third bestselling SUV in the country. Moreover, it accounts for 35 percent of IPC’s total sales last year, enough to propel it as the Philippines’s third biggest commercial vehicles manufacturer and the fourth biggest automotive company.
With a tagline of “Makes Your Everyday,” the 2015 Crosswind certainly makes every journey a much more memorable one. Whether it’s going to work, taking the kids to school, or taking that much needed vacation, it is your dependable companion in life. AUV entrants have come and gone, but the Crosswind, it seems, is here to stay. It surely has proven itself as a Filipino favorite and in the course of this drive, proven its merit as a family vehicle.
The 2015 Isuzu Crosswind comes in two new colors: Hunter Green and Dark Silver. It’s joined by the existing palette of Cosmic Black, Garnet Red, Ash Beige, and Splash White. It’s available in a wide array of variants: XS M/T, XL M/T, XT M/T, XUV A/T, and Sportivo X in both M/T and A/T with prices that range from P 750,000 to P 1,195,000.