The Trooper began as a rather basic and somewhat underpowered on- and off-road vehicle, offered only with four-cylinder motor, four-speed manual transmission, and part-time four-wheel drive.

It competed with similar SUVs including the Toyota Hilux Surf, Mitsubishi Pajero, and Nissan Terrano.

[4] The first-generation Trooper, introduced in September 1981, was available as a three-door wagon or a soft top with independent front suspension.

[citation needed] Early engines included a 1.95-liter gasoline and a 73 PS (54 kW) 2.2-liter diesel, lightly powered even by early-1980s standards for the vehicle's 3,700 lb (1,678 kg) empty weight.

It was not a popular option, and Isuzu North America changed to the larger 4ZE1 four-cylinder petrol unit for 1988, then used the standard 2.8-liter GM V6 for 1989 until their own new V6 engines could be manufactured.

Later first-generation models offered an optional four-speed automatic transmission, with 4 cylinder vehicles fitted with an Aisin A340H and V6s a GM 4L30E.

All of these short wheelbase Troopers were equipped with 2.6-liter fuel-injected inline-four engines, 4.77:1 differential gears and 15×7-inch aluminium alloy "snowflake" pattern wheels.

[10] The Trooper was sold in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Jackaroo,[11] named after the Australian term for a young man working on a sheep or cattle station.

[12][13] It was only offered with Isuzu's 2.8-liter, inline four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD.

[13] In November 1988, SsangYong Motors started licensed production of the Isuzu Trooper with their own bodywork and sold it as the Korando Family (Korean: 코란도 훼미리; RR: Kolando Hwemili).

[14][15] A concept model known as the KR-600 had first been shown in public at the Seoul International Trade Fair in 1984, after Keohwa Motors began plans to develop it in 1982.

[15] The New Korando Family (Korean: 뉴 코란도는 훼미리; RR: Nyu Kolando Hwemili) was launched in August 1994.

[20] In December 1991 for the 1992 model year, Isuzu completely redesigned the Trooper to keep pace with changes in the SUV marketplace, making it larger, more powerful, and more luxurious.

Most models still used a part-time four-wheel-drive system, which required stopping the vehicle to engage and disengage the front axle.

Japanese-market diesels have a claimed maximum power of 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) and 275 N⋅m (203 lb⋅ft) of torque at the same engine speeds.

Around the same period, General Motors, Isuzu and Honda established a working relationship[26] that saw the two-box design of the 5-door Trooper designed by GM with Honda providing petrol engine options and Isuzu providing diesel engine options.

[25][27] The 1998 Australasian and US-spec Trooper became equipped with the DOHC 3.5-liter engine from the Isuzu/Holden Rodeo producing 215 hp (160 kW; 218 PS).

In 2002, the Trooper was discontinued in the United States in favor of the smaller Axiom[30] and the larger GM-produced Isuzu Ascender, a rebadged GMC Envoy.

In April 2004, New Zealand issued recalls for Isuzu Troopers manufactured in 1992 and 1995 due to the warning from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the SUV's accelerator can stick.

[33] Known as the Skyroof Edition, it came in a rear-wheel-drive configuration with anti-lock brakes, a limited slip differential, billet-type radiator grille, and large power moonroof.

[36] The SLX omitted some of the options available on Troopers from concurrent model years, including the manual transmission and certain engines.

[39] The SLX received a restyled front end for the 1998 model year, but continued to sell poorly and was ultimately discontinued after 1999.

It is said that sales were affected by bad press when the 1996 to 1997 models were rated "Not Acceptable" by Consumer Reports for their tendency to roll over during testing (see Rollover Controversy, below).

On December 5, 2019, Acura presented a 1997 SLX outfitted with a modern turbo, four-cylinder engine, 10-speed automatic transmission and an SH-AWD system used by the RDX.

Both were cosmetic upgrades to the Holden donor and powered by the same 3.2-liter 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) (SOHC) petrol engine.

[44] On March 19, 1998, the Horizon (and the Bighorn/Trooper) was updated to a direct-injection 3.0-liter engine with 160 PS (118 kW), equipped for low noise and cleaner exhaust.

[52] The second-generation Trooper received negative press in the United States when the 1995–1997 models were rated "Not Acceptable" by Consumer Reports for an alleged tendency to roll over under testing.

[53] In response to a petition from the publication's publisher, Consumers Union, the National Highway Traffic Administration conducted its own tests and found no issue that could lead to a need for a recall.