Automotive
To enter the American SUV market, Honda partnered with GM, leading to the creation of the Acura SLX—essentially a rebadged Isuzu Trooper. This collaboration was part of a broader agreement where Honda supplied engines, GM provided chassis, and Isuzu contributed diesel engines, with GM owning a significant stake in Isuzu. In return, Isuzu was permitted to produce the Honda Odyssey as the Isuzu Oasis.
The Acura SLX retained the Trooper’s two-box design and body-on-frame construction, featuring a low-range gear for off-road capabilities. Externally, it boasted an Acura-specific front fascia, primarily distinguished by a unique grille compared to the Trooper and its European counterpart, the Opel Monterey.
Inside, the SLX offered cloth upholstery in base trim and leather in higher specifications. The dashboard housed an instrument cluster similar to the Isuzu’s, with a distinctive layout of six gauges, prominent tachometer and speedometer, and automatic transmission indicators in between.
Unlike its siblings, the SLX was exclusively powered by a 3.5-liter engine. However, safety concerns arose when rollover tests revealed stability issues, deterring potential buyers. After a brief production run, the model was discontinued in 1999, marking a short-lived experiment in Honda’s luxury SUV endeavors.
