Isuzu Amigo

Which Isuzu Amigo Version Should You Buy?

Choosing an Isuzu Amigo comes down to a clear trade-off. The first generation, produced from 1989 to 1994, offers Gasoline inline four-cylinder engines, a 240 mm ground clearance figure, an 83-litre tank and a choice of RWD or AWD.

Choosing an Isuzu Amigo comes down to a clear trade-off. The first generation, produced from 1989 to 1994, offers Gasoline inline four-cylinder engines, a 240 mm ground clearance figure, an 83-litre tank and a choice of RWD or AWD. The second generation, produced from 1998 to 2000, adds a 208 hp V-shaped six-cylinder engine, Automatic or Manual gearboxes, RWD or AWD, and available kerb-weight figures from 1,525 to 1,705 kg. Both generations are SUV cabriolets. There are two generations and nine listed versions in total, although repeated version names represent different drive or brake configurations.

Isuzu Amigo generations: what changed?

The first-generation Isuzu Amigo ran from 1989 to 1994 as an SUV cabriolet with four listed versions. The range consists of the 2.3 MT and three 2.6-litre entries: 2.6 AT with RWD, 2.6 MT with AWD, and 2.6 MT with RWD. Every version has an inline four-cylinder Gasoline engine without boost. Its chassis specifications include independent torsion front suspension, dependent leaf-spring rear suspension, ventilated disc front brakes, disc rear brakes, 240 mm ground clearance and an 83-litre tank.

The second-generation Isuzu Amigo ran from 1998 to 2000, also as an SUV cabriolet, with five listed versions. The 2.2 MT uses an inline four-cylinder engine, while every 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT has a V-shaped six-cylinder engine. Independent spring suspension is specified at both ends. Depending on the version, the rear brakes are Drum or Disc. The tank holds 67 litres, which is 16 litres less than the first generation’s 83-litre tank. Ground clearance is 210 mm where measured, 30 mm less than the first generation’s 240 mm figure.

Isuzu Amigo engine options and specs

The first-generation 2.3 MT produces about 48.8 hp per litre, while each 2.6-litre version produces about 46.9 hp per litre. In the second generation, the 2.2 MT reaches about 59.1 hp per litre, and each 3.2-litre version reaches about 65.7 hp per litre. The 3.2-litre engine therefore has the highest specific output in the supplied range.

Moving from the first-generation 2.6-litre engine to the second-generation 3.2-litre engine adds 88 hp and 86 Nm. Relative to the second-generation 2.2 MT, a 3.2 MT or 3.2 AT adds 78 hp and 95 Nm. The 3.2-litre engine reaches its 290 Nm torque peak at 3,000 rpm, while the 2.2 MT produces 195 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The first-generation 2.3 MT is the only Carburetor version. Every other listed Amigo uses Distributed injection (multi-point). Engine position is not measured for the 2.3 MT; all other versions specify a Front, longitudinal engine.

Isuzu Amigo performance, mpg and gas mileage

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Isuzu Amigo. Fuel consumption in city, highway and combined driving is also not measured for every version, so an Isuzu Amigo mpg comparison cannot be made from these data. CO₂ output and ecological class are not measured across the range.

Top speed is not measured for the first-generation 2.3 MT, 2.6 AT or either 2.6 MT. It is also not measured for the second-generation 2.2 MT, the RWD 3.2 AT or the RWD 3.2 MT.

A top speed of 177 km/h is measured for the second-generation AWD 3.2 MT and AWD 3.2 AT. Because both have the same measured figure, the supplied specifications do not show a top-speed advantage for either the Manual or Automatic AWD version.

Fuel grade is not measured for the first-generation 2.3 MT, the second-generation 2.2 MT, or the two AWD 3.2-litre versions. Fuel 95 is specified for the first-generation 2.6 AT, both first-generation 2.6 MT versions, and the second-generation RWD 3.2 AT and 3.2 MT.

Isuzu Amigo dimensions, weight and clearance

Overall exterior dimensions are not measured for any version. Wheel sizes are also not measured for any version.

First-generation kerb and gross weights are not measured. Every first-generation version has 240 mm of measured ground clearance and an 83-litre tank.

The second-generation 2.2 MT weighs 1,525 kg kerb and 2,020 kg gross. That equals approximately 11.7 kg per horsepower. The AWD 3.2 MT weighs 1,680 kg kerb and 2,110 kg gross, or approximately 8.1 kg per horsepower. The AWD 3.2 AT weighs 1,705 kg kerb and 2,110 kg gross, or approximately 8.2 kg per horsepower. The Automatic is 25 kg heavier than the otherwise equivalent Manual AWD version.

The RWD 3.2 MT has a 1,598 kg kerb weight and 2,109 kg gross weight, giving approximately 7.7 kg per horsepower—the lowest measured weight-per-power ratio in the range. Its kerb weight is 82 kg below the AWD 3.2 MT and 107 kg below the AWD 3.2 AT. Kerb weight is not measured for the RWD 3.2 AT; its gross weight is 2,109 kg.

Ground clearance is not measured for the second-generation 2.2 MT or either AWD 3.2 version. Both RWD 3.2 versions have 210 mm of measured clearance. Every second-generation version has a 67-litre tank.

Which Isuzu Amigo version should you buy?

For the strongest measured power-to-weight specification, choose the second-generation 3.2 MT with RWD. It combines 208 hp, 290 Nm, a Manual 5-speed gearbox and a measured 1,598 kg kerb weight, resulting in approximately 7.7 kg per horsepower. It also has 210 mm of ground clearance, Disc brakes front and rear, and a 67-litre tank. Its top speed, acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured.

For AWD with the lower measured kerb weight, choose the second-generation 3.2 MT with AWD. It weighs 1,680 kg, 25 kg less than the 3.2 AT with AWD, while both produce 208 hp and 290 Nm and both have a measured 177 km/h top speed. The 3.2 MT uses a Manual 5-speed gearbox; the 3.2 AT uses an Automatic 4-speed gearbox. Both have Disc front and Drum rear brakes.

For an Automatic with AWD, choose the second-generation 3.2 AT with AWD. Its drivetrain is the main distinction: it pairs AWD with an Automatic 4-speed gearbox. Its 1,705 kg kerb weight is the highest measured figure in the catalogue, although its 208 hp still yields approximately 8.2 kg per horsepower.

For the lightest measured second-generation Amigo, choose the 2.2 MT. At 1,525 kg, it is 73 kg lighter than the RWD 3.2 MT and 155 kg lighter than the AWD 3.2 MT. The trade-off is output: its 130 hp and 195 Nm are 78 hp and 95 Nm below every 3.2-litre version. It is available here only with RWD and a Manual 5-speed gearbox.

Within the first generation, choose the 2.6 MT with AWD if drive configuration matters most. It has 120 hp, 204 Nm, a Manual 5-speed gearbox and AWD. The RWD 2.6 MT retains the same engine output and gearbox, while the RWD 2.6 AT changes to an Automatic 4-speed gearbox. Acceleration, top speed, consumption and weight are not measured for any of them, so those criteria cannot separate the first-generation versions.

The first-generation 2.3 MT is the simplest option in specification terms: 110 hp, a Manual 5-speed gearbox, RWD and Carburetor fuel delivery. Compared with each 2.6-litre version, it gives up 10 hp; its torque is not measured. It shares the first generation’s 240 mm ground clearance and 83-litre tank.

On the supplied numbers, the second-generation RWD 3.2 MT is the performance-led choice, the AWD 3.2 MT is the lighter measured AWD choice, and the first-generation AWD 2.6 MT is the choice for buyers prioritizing AWD together with the generation’s measured 240 mm clearance and 83-litre tank. Reliability, problems, condition, prices, availability, engine-swap compatibility and soft-top details are not measured in the data, so they cannot be used to rank the versions.