WHAT Van? magazine has awarded a gold medal to the new Isuzu Rodeo, voting it the Best Pick-Up in its prestigious 2004 awards. It means the Rodeo range has beaten all competitors - both in lifestyle luxury trim and in 'workhorse' specifications.

Magazine Editor, Neil McIntee, said: "It's new, it's big, it's bold and it's a worthy winner." He added: "Successor to the TF, in 4x4 single and double guise, it's powered by an enormously impressive 3.0 litre direct-injection intercooled turbodiesel engine blasting out 131 bhp at 3,800 rpm. Top torque of 207 lb ft - rising to 217 lb ft if you specify the optional automatic gearbox - kick in at 1,600 rpm.

"That's more than enough top-end punch and low-down grunt to get you where you want to go both on and off the public highway."The top-spec Rodeo 3.0 DT 4x4 Denver has been chosen as The Caravan Club's Towcar of the Year - Utility Class winner.

With its braked towing limit of 3,000 kg, The Caravan Club considered the Rodeo Denver superior to its Ford, Mitsubishi and Nissan rivals which also entered the competition. Towing judges looked at all aspects of towing including hill starts, traction, stability, engine pulling power and practical features such as the car's ability to accommodate large bulky loads such as awnings and water carriers.