Overview & Reviews

For now, Isuzu SUVs and trucks are all that you'll see at your local Isuzu dealer; it's been quite a few years since there's been an Isuzu car. The company's specialized lineup is more a function of circumstance than choice. In recent years, Isuzu has seen its share of hard times; a lack of funding for both new product investment and marketing has forced the company to rely heavily on its partnership with GM. Both of the models in its line are derived from existing GM products.

Isuzu, which means "50 bells," is the name of a river that flows through a province dotted with ancient Shinto shrines in Japan. The company's roots date back to 1916, when Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company first decided to broaden its business to include automobile manufacturing. The company forged a technical union with the U.K.-based Wolseley Motor Company in 1918. Its debut licensed offering, the A9 car, soon followed, as did its first truck, the CP. By 1949, the company's name had been changed to the more succinct Isuzu.

In the postwar years, production of Isuzu trucks boomed. The company's vehicles played a significant role in Japan's reconstruction effort, and were used to ferry clothes, food and other essentials. In 1953, Isuzu rolled out the Hillman Minx passenger car, the product of a technical union with Rootes, a U.K. outfit.

The 1960s saw the launch of passenger cars like the Florian, the Bellett and the 117 Coupe, as well as trucks like the WASP. In 1971, Isuzu entered into a partnership with General Motors. The Gemini, released a couple of years later, was the first Isuzu vehicle to be produced from the pairing.

By the 1980s, Isuzu had landed on American shores. The Pup was the first Isuzu sold in the U.S. market. The Trooper, an SUV available in two- or four-door form, was introduced in 1983 and quickly became popular in that new market segment. The company entered into a joint venture with Subaru in 1987, a union that spawned the Isuzu Rodeo and the Isuzu Pickup. Less popular than the trucks were the cars, such as the dated I-Mark sedan and the handsome, Italian-designed Impulse sport coupe.

The company's sales were relatively strong in the 1990s, thanks in part to the increasing success of the Trooper, which by that time had grown in size and luxury. The Trooper was one of the models responsible for the massive popularity of the SUV vehicle category during that decade. In 1999, GM upped its stake in Isuzu to assume the role of majority shareholder.

The new millennium brought bad news, however. Previous bestsellers like the Rodeo and the Trooper were outclassed by newer, fresher competition, and sales plummeted. The Rodeo and the Axiom (a crossover SUV) were dropped from the lineup in 2004. Currently, Isuzu's lineup comprises just two vehicles — a truck and an SUV, both of which are based on GM products.

User Reviews:

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  2003 ISUZU - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By Batman16 - September 9 - 10:00 am

  We have only 500 miles on our Isuzu so far, but this feels like a quality piece of work. Everything about this auto is smooth and quite. The ride is great.

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  I Love My Rodeo! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tatorbird - September 3 - 6:56 pm

  I bought my rodeo new from the dealer in 2001. Although we do not have a dealer in my city anymore, there are dealers in surrounding cities for servicing if I ever needed them. I can say that, at 80,000+ miles, Ive had no problems with my Rodeo. I have followed all the scheduled maintenance (not cheap), but the only thing Ive ever had to replace were the brakes at 4 years and the battery at 5 years. Prior cars were Ford Thunderbird, Ford Taurus, Ford Festiva, and Pontiac Sunbird. I love my Rodeo and highly recommend them.

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  Simply the best - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Knight2000 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I own a black 1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula and I drive both of these vehicles the same. They are both stylish powerhouses.

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  Satisfied - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Another Mike - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought this because it was one of very few SUVs with V6 2WD & Manual tranny. After 6 years and almost 120K miles, no major complaints, no mechanical problems. Even w/ 2WD, handles rocky, rutty winding mountain dirt roads nicely. Downsides: Too many recalls. (Dont ignore the recalls. The most recent one regarded reprogramming the ABS, and it made a noticeable difference.) Paint on wheels started peeling early on.

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  Super Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Quentin Merrill - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Good Vehicle for those that enjoy a combination of style, speed and power.

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  Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By tim237 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I love the SUV

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  Good work vehicle - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By BumpinThumpin - August 20 - 6:30 pm

  Two weeks of owning this SUV and the infamous EGR code came up. I tried everything, cleaning out the intake holes, an intake fume flush kit and finally changed the EGR valve. 160.00 NOPE, and then the fuel gauge problem where it would drop to 0 and the light would flash. So I took the dash apart and placed black tape over both of them. Voila. No more lights ever again and back to happy motoring.

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  Surprise - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By I-5 Bandit - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I am pleased with our choice . We needed a family rig that could with stand our life-style. Trips to the Washington mountains loging roads, snow, camping trips and keeping up with 04 Rangers, Tacomas, Jeeps and Z71s. We have been able to go where all others go, and we are usually leading the pack. I put on some BF All terrains...Great move. Am planning to put on some rancho this summer. Yes I do have to add oil every 1500 miles...It just makes me stay on top of oil changes. Has excellent off road ability, have climbed some pucker upper hills, have not rolled or have even been close. Have fun

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  Think Hard - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Par - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Rodeo from Carmax with 16k on it after a year. Until recently I have had only minor problems-the cassette deck would not eject (fixed under warranty); the check engine light came on at 25k(took it to the dealer only to find out that the gas cap was not screwed on past 3 clicks more than 9 months before - before I purchased the vehicle); when unlocking the rear door with the key, I broke the lock. Then the rear window would intermittently jam - this one took at least 6 dealer trips to fix. Now at 65k, the ABS has failed and the check engine light is on. I want to buy a toyota truck.

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  isuzu axiom - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Larry Butler - August 6 - 10:00 am

  this car is a fun car to drive, not the greatest on gas, Ive had better. The torque on demand has never failed me, I love it, compared to 2 wheel dr, or front wheel drive. The passenger side leaves a little to be desired space wise, but its great for a medium build person. Love the back cargo area, just enough, never not had enough room. I wouldnt trade this car for a Cadillac Escalade, even if you paid me.