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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  Do not buy - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By kswift - July 12 - 10:00 am

  My engine blew out before the warranty expired. The company would not stand behind its warranty. The "customer service" people are belligerent and confrontational.

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  well it LOOKED good on the deals lot - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By mary - June 22 - 7:43 am

  i will never buy another isuzu. cd player is worthless, poor gas milage, little things (rear window wiper, door latch, etc) fall apart very easy. i was very very disappointed with the isuzu rodeo sport.

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  Dont Waste Your Money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By karen white - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 Rodeo Sport is not worth the money. The 2wd is not a good one. In bad weather conditions the rear tires will spin even when the winter button is used. This button suppose to help grip the road better when first taking off. The braking system also is not good...although it has ABS brakes. The vehicle will take off if you let up on the gas pedal without applying pressing to the accelarator.

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  2000 Isuzu Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By sam - February 15 - 10:20 pm

  I have taken very very good care of this vehicle, only driven about 10,000 miles per year, has 97k on it now, had to replace **expensive** parts, transmission, and more. Warranty paid for most. My opinion, Isuzu needs to take better care of their consumers, think twice before buying Isuzu.

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  Axiom=Edsel of the 21st Century - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By Jean-Claude - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is highly unpredictable. I am constantly having transmission and electrical trouble. The vehicle will not stay in alignment. I have already tried to trade it in. However, I paid thirty-thousand for a vehicle now blue booked at around 10K only a year and a half after purchase. I should have bought a Honda.

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  Lemon - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mita - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Got less than 11000 miles before I had to trade. Poorest vehicle I ever had.

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  You may like it now, but try to sell it! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Not Happy at All - December 23 - 10:00 am

  The Trooper doesnt hold its value. If you are not in it for the full term of the note, dont buy it. I paid a really low price for it new, but I will still be upside down in my note for a very long time. And comfort? Whats that. I think Isuzu Engineers sleep on stone beds!

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  Not what I thought - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Joanne - December 9 - 5:06 pm

  I absolutely hate this truck. The drive is horrible and weak...it never has any type of pick-up whatsoever. My mothers 4 cylinder car has more pick-up and vroom than this thing! I cant stand driving it and havent even had it for a full year yet! Biggest mistake Ive made!!!

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  Buy something else - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By MacGeek - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Engine pings on all gas except 93 octane. Rear Brakes began sticking (early grab, late release) after 3000 miles. Replaced by dealer at 9300 miles because of "glazing". One week after fix symptom returned. Truck-like ride which is more harsh than it should be (I hate torsion bars). Overpriced for what it is. Uncomfortable seats although I like the my custom Classic Soft Trim two tone/perferated leather interior ordered at delivery time. I like the extra power outlets (center console and cargo area) but they are available only with key on. Shoulda bought a Highlander.

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  Worst car I ever owned - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By ahtan1 - March 11 - 11:06 am

  I bought my new Isuzu Rodeo in 1999. At 25,000 miles, the car died in a car parking lot, could not get it started. Contacted the Isuzu Customer Service to get Road Side Assistance and waited for more than 2 hours; no more showed up. Eventually managed to start the car myself and drove back home; gave the car to the dealership to fix the problem, but they could not find the problem. I ended up on telling them how to find the startup problem and they have no clue how to fix it and they ended up erasing the computer system in the car and reprogramming it. At 52,000 miles, the fuel gauge is gone. At 56,000 miles, the tires were gone. At 81,000 miles, the transmission went bad.