© JAMES TAYLOR
Editor: Land Rover Enthusiast Magazine

BACKGROUND

The Vauxhall Monterey is neither more nor less than a rebadged second-generation lsuzu Trooper, imported to the UK under on agreement between General Motors' Vauxhall subsidiary and the Japanese lsuzu compony in which GM holds an interest. The Monterey was introduced alongside the strong-selling Trooper (imported by a separate company) in 1994.

For the time being, the Monterey models are differentiated from their Trooper equivalents by specification levels: the Vauxhalls are rather better equipped and have higher price tags, mainly to help distance them from Vauxhall's other rebadged Isuzus, the Fronteras.

The Monterey RS is Vauxhall's equivalent of the short-wheelbase Isuzu Trooper with odditional equipment, including these five-spoke alloy wheels.

The Monterey LTD mirrors the long-wheelbase version of the Isuzu Trooper, but again is adorned with a higher level of standard equipment in an effort to distance the two ranges as much as possible. The choice of power unit is between the 3.2-litre 24-valve V6 petrol engine with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox and the 3.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with manual transmission only.

Character summary

As with the Trooper, the three-door SWB Monterey is designed for younger buyers than the five-door LWB family estate. Both vehicles benefit from a more characterful exterior than the Trooper, with five-spoke alloy wheels; the LWB models also have a rubbing-strip which adds definition to their slab sides. Interiors are as bland as those of the Trooper, but the wood-and-leather trim on top-specification Diamond models does improve the ambience.

The Monterey tries hard to feel more like a car than a 4x4, and in general it succeeds. However, the rather upright driving position is most unlike a car's, and the LWB models offer considerably more interior room than a conventional saloon-derived estate. Both petrol and turbodiesel LWB Montereys make powerful and stable tow vehicles.

Performance summary

Both petrol and turbodiesel engines give very good road performance. Ride quality is good, although there is some wallow if the Monterey is pushed hard.

The steering can feel vague at speed, and the brakes seem rather remote, although their stopping power is beyond question.
Off-road, the SWB models are, of course, more agile than their LWB relatives. However, neither type of Monterey is more than adequate in demanding conditions, mainly because of their independent front suspension and the road-biased torque delivery of their engines.

Reliability weaknesses, spares

There is no reason to think that the Monterey will show a less impressive reliability record than its excellent Isuzu-badged equivalents. Build quality of all models is to a very high standard and durability will no doubt also prove exemplary.

Spares are readily available through the large countrywide Vauxhall dealer network.

Resale values

The Monterey is no longer part of the Vauxhall Range. Values should be similar to the Isuzu models.