The Isuzu Ascender was first launched in 2003 as a seven passenger SUV. The new Ascender offered a choice between two engines - one with six cylinders and the other a V8. It could be bought with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and came in three types; S, LS, and Limited. The manufacturer offered a warranty of three years or 50,000 miles for the vehicle and 10 years or 120,000 miles for its engine. The vehicle was equipped with disc brakes for all four tires and airbags in the front, but it did not have any airbags on the side. In 2004, airbags on the side became an option and the Ascender was now being offered as a vehicle that could seat five passengers. In 2005, the Ascender got a Displacement on Demand System manufactured by General Motors that helped the vehicle save fuel. Also added were airbags that protected the heads of the passengers.

The Isuzu Ascender for the model year 2007 comes as a sports utility vehicle that can seat five passengers and it derives its power from a 4.2 Liter engine having six cylinders. The Ascender is equipped with an automatic gear system having four gears. The Ascender is available in three versions; S, LS and Luxury models. The entry level S model has a system to monitor tire pressure in all four tires, lights to combat fog, a system to control temperatures inside the vehicle from the back seat and a stereo system with a CD player. The LS model has a moon roof, defrosters for the mirrors outside the vehicle and a stereo system with controls on the steering wheel. The Luxury version has leather seats, front seats that are heated, driver seat memory and a stereo system with six speakers. All Isuzu models have 80 cubic feet where one can store baggage and plenty of room for the passengers to stretch out their legs.