Which Isuzu Impulse Version Should You Buy?
The Isuzu Impulse catalogue covers two generations of 3-door hatchbacks: the first generation from 1983 to 1990 and the second from 1990 to 1993. Choosing between them means choosing two substantially different specifications. The earlier cars use RWD, offer 1,949-2,255 cc Gasoline engines, and have 155 mm of ground clearance.
The Isuzu Impulse catalogue covers two generations of 3-door hatchbacks: the first generation from 1983 to 1990 and the second from 1990 to 1993. Choosing between them means choosing two substantially different specifications. The earlier cars use RWD, offer 1,949-2,255 cc Gasoline engines, and have 155 mm of ground clearance. The later cars use smaller 1,588-1,809 cc Gasoline engines, introduce FWD and AWD choices, and have 130 mm of clearance. Each generation contains eight listed versions, with Manual and Automatic gearboxes available in both.
Isuzu Impulse generations compared
The first generation, produced from 1983 to 1990, is a Hatchback 3-door with eight versions. Every listed version is RWD and uses an Inline 4-cylinder Gasoline engine. The range includes the naturally aspirated 1,949 cc 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT with 120 hp, Turbo 1,949 cc versions with 140 hp, naturally aspirated 1,994 cc versions with 150 hp, and 2,255 cc 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT versions with 110 hp. Manual cars have 5 gears, while Automatic cars have 3.
The second generation, produced from 1990 to 1993, is also a Hatchback 3-door with eight versions. Its front-mounted, transverse Inline 4-cylinder Gasoline engines have distributed injection (multi-point). The 1,588 cc choices produce either 95 hp or 130 hp and use FWD. The 1,809 cc engine produces 140 hp and can be combined with FWD or AWD. Manual versions have 5 gears, while Automatic versions have 4.
Isuzu Impulse engine and specs
Because several versions share the same database name, power and drive are included below to distinguish them without changing their exact names.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 2.0 MT, 120 hp | 120 hp (88 kW) | not measured | 1,949 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.0 AT, 120 hp | 120 hp (88 kW) | not measured | 1,949 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.0 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp (103 kW) | 167 Nm | 1,949 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.0 AT, 140 hp | 140 hp (103 kW) | 167 Nm | 1,949 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp (110 kW) | not measured | 1,994 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.0 AT, 150 hp | 150 hp (110 kW) | not measured | 1,994 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.3 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp (81 kW) at 5,500 rpm | not measured | 2,255 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | RWD |
| First generation — 2.3 AT, 110 hp | 110 hp (81 kW) at 5,500 rpm | not measured | 2,255 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| Second generation — 1.6 MT, 95 hp | 95 hp (70 kW) at 5,800 rpm | 131 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 1,588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.6 AT, 95 hp | 95 hp (70 kW) at 5,800 rpm | 131 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 1,588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.6 MT, 130 hp | 130 hp (96 kW) at 7,000 rpm | 138 Nm at 5,800 rpm | 1,588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.6 AT, 130 hp | 130 hp (96 kW) at 7,000 rpm | 138 Nm at 5,800 rpm | 1,588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.8 MT, 140 hp, FWD | 140 hp (103 kW) at 6,400 rpm | 162 Nm at 4,600 rpm | 1,809 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.8 MT, 140 hp, AWD | 140 hp (103 kW) at 6,400 rpm | 162 Nm at 4,600 rpm | 1,809 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | AWD |
| Second generation — 1.8 AT, 140 hp, FWD | 140 hp (103 kW) at 6,400 rpm | 162 Nm at 4,600 rpm | 1,809 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.8 AT, 140 hp, AWD | 140 hp (103 kW) at 6,400 rpm | 162 Nm at 4,600 rpm | 1,809 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
Power per litre helps separate engines that look similar on displacement alone. Among first-generation choices, the 120 hp 1,949 cc engine develops about 61.6 hp per litre, the Turbo 140 hp 1,949 cc engine about 71.8 hp per litre, the 150 hp 1,994 cc engine about 75.2 hp per litre, and the 110 hp 2,255 cc engine about 48.8 hp per litre. The naturally aspirated 150 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT therefore provide both the highest stated output and the highest calculated specific output in the first-generation range.
In the second generation, the 95 hp 1,588 cc engine produces about 59.8 hp per litre, while the 130 hp version of the same displacement reaches about 81.9 hp per litre. The 140 hp 1,809 cc engine provides about 77.4 hp per litre. The 130 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT lead this generation in power per litre, but the 1.8 versions add 24 Nm and deliver peak torque 1,200 rpm earlier.
Performance and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for any listed Isuzu Impulse version. Fuel consumption in city, highway, and combined driving is also not measured for every version, so an Impulse mpg comparison cannot be made from this catalogue data. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured throughout the range.
Top speed is not measured for all first-generation versions. In the second generation, the 95 hp 1.6 MT has a measured maximum speed of 170 km/h, while the 130 hp 1.6 MT reaches 200 km/h. That is a 30 km/h advantage for the more powerful Manual 1.6. Top speed is not measured for either 1.6 AT, or for any 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT version.
The recorded kerb weights allow one further comparison. The 95 hp 1.6 MT weighs 1,035 kg, which is about 10.9 kg per horsepower. The 130 hp 1.6 MT weighs 1,010 kg, or about 7.8 kg per horsepower. Despite offering 35 hp more, the 130 hp car is 25 kg lighter in the supplied data. Its power-to-weight calculation is consequently about 40% stronger.
Isuzu Impulse dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels
The first generation has 155 mm of ground clearance. Kerb weight, gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for all eight first-generation versions.
Every second-generation version has 130 mm of ground clearance and a 47-litre fuel tank. The 95 hp 1.6 MT has a measured kerb weight of 1,035 kg, while the 130 hp 1.6 MT is measured at 1,010 kg. Kerb weight is not measured for the remaining second-generation versions. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any second-generation version.
The generational change reduces the stated ground clearance by 25 mm, from 155 mm to 130 mm. Both generations retain independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, plus ventilated disc front brakes. The first generation has rear disc brakes, whereas the second generation has rear drum brakes.
Which Isuzu Impulse version should you buy?
For the strongest first-generation specification, choose the 2.0 MT with 150 hp. It combines the generation’s highest power output with a 5-gear Manual gearbox and RWD. The identically powered 2.0 AT offers the same 1,994 cc engine and RWD but uses a 3-gear Automatic. Torque, kerb weight, top speed, acceleration, and consumption are not measured for either, so the gearbox is the clearest documented distinction.
For a first-generation Turbo engine, the choice is between the 140 hp 2.0 MT and 140 hp 2.0 AT. Both use a 1,949 cc Inline 4-cylinder Gasoline engine, produce 167 Nm, and drive the rear wheels. The 2.0 MT has a 5-gear Manual, while the 2.0 AT has a 3-gear Automatic. Compared with the naturally aspirated 120 hp versions of the same displacement, the Turbo versions add 20 hp.
The 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT provide the largest first-generation displacement at 2,255 cc, but their 110 hp output is 40 hp below that of the 1,994 cc 150 hp versions. Choose the 2.3 only if displacement is the priority supported by the available specifications; the data provide no fuel-consumption or acceleration figures that would establish another advantage.
For the best measured second-generation power-to-weight result, the 130 hp 1.6 MT is the clearest choice. It has 35 hp and 7 Nm more than the 95 hp 1.6 MT, weighs 25 kg less, and has a maximum speed that is 30 km/h higher. Both are FWD, naturally aspirated, use 1,588 cc engines, carry 47 litres of fuel, and have 5-gear Manual transmissions.
Choose a 140 hp 1.8 version when AWD or the strongest second-generation torque figure matters. The 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT are offered with FWD or AWD, while all second-generation 1.6 versions are FWD. Compared with the 130 hp 1.6, the 1.8 adds 10 hp and 24 Nm, and its 162 Nm peak arrives at 4,600 rpm rather than the 1.6 engine’s 138 Nm at 5,800 rpm. Manual and Automatic 1.8 versions have the same stated engine output, so the purchase decision rests on the 5-gear Manual versus 4-gear Automatic gearbox and FWD versus AWD.
Reliability, interior equipment, engine-swap suitability, asking prices, and current availability are not measured in the supplied data. They cannot fairly decide which used Isuzu Impulse to buy here. On documented specifications alone, the 150 hp 2.0 MT is the first-generation performance choice, the 130 hp 1.6 MT has the best measured second-generation weight-to-power result, and a 140 hp 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT is the choice when AWD is required.