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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  Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By eyesguy - March 20 - 10:00 am

  Good driving machine a little rocky and seats are not comfortable. Cheap looking interior.

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  electrical problems - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Amy - March 18 - 4:10 pm

  I have had multiple problems-replaced fan clutch and bracket, ignition coil, right turn signal burns out fuse that controls many other things including heat and power windows, transmission slipping at 78k mi., replaced serpentine belt 2x b/c fan clutch shredded the other one when the bracket broke, most parts are isuzu only parts and must pay a fortune for them; most are marked up 100%, seals on front windows coming undone and windows dont shut properly.

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  Truth - 2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Unique2C - March 16 - 10:00 am

  The Vehicross needs help in the 4 wheel drive department. Not very useful on-road. Off road, it has been great.

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  comfort - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By AzRed - January 11 - 4:40 am

  Strong engine. Tows trailers well. Front passenger seat is very uncomfortable on trips; my hands fall asleep due to the low hard arm rest. Envoys seats are much more comfortable.

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  looks nice but a beast to work on - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By officerjones85 - December 16 - 1:53 pm

  It is a Nice looking car Ill give it that, but parts are very expensive. If your wanting to save a buck and fix it yourself forget it. Its so compact and difficult to work. Youll be spending hours on minor projects.

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  Mechanical nightmare - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Isuzu No More - November 22 - 5:26 am

  Im a 19 year old college student and last year, my dad bought me a Rodeo to drive to and from school (4 1/2 hours each way). I chose it thinking it would be a good, reliable vehicle with low maintenance costs. I was wrong. Come to find out, these engines are extremely problematic and I have yet to see a car with this engine over 170,000 miles. A comparable Toyota 4Runner will run twice as long with no problems. There is a reason why Isuzus things depreciate so quickly. My 150,000 mile Rodeo burns about a quart of oil every 600 miles, so I always have to have some on hand. And the parts are ridiculously expensive, often higher than comparable parts for a BMW--literally.

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  I Dont Know What Happened? - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By ANGIE KING - November 15 - 1:30 am

  When I bought my Rodeo a little over a year ago it was running fine, no problems when we bought it. It had 85000 miles on it. We did the regular maintenance. Well when the thing hit 100,000 miles we decided to change the timing belt as recommended; everything went down hill from there. First the belt was done wrong so the valves were smashed. It’s been 10,000 miles since the belt was changed. We have since replaced the water pump, the thermostat 3 times, the radiator, the drive belt, the belt tensioner, the hoses, we have had the head resurfaced and let me tell you the parts for these things dont come cheap. I love the look of my Rodeo - it is a very rare orange color, if it would just run!

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  isuzus are lemons - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By ripped off - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Neither the isuzu coperation nor the dealerships were willing to accomidated the customer after you give them the check. After 50000 mi had to have a transmission replaced, even after we took it in because the tran. was slipping. They held my car hostage for 2 weeks without rental, compensation, or concern. It had the wrong spare tire cover, so we asked for the right one. Isuzu and the dealership said no. It leaks. After 60000 the ac/heat fan quit (out of warranty of course). Most of the interior plastic molding pieces broke or came off. After 50000 the cd player broke (again just out of warranty).

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  Nightmare - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By para333am - November 2 - 8:21 pm

  We purchased our 2006 Ascender brand new. Granted the body is great. I was hit by a large work van which in a car would of sent me to the hospital, the truck held up well. The engine is a nightmare. We just paid it off and it has less than 115,000 miles on it but the engine has died completely. I am very upset since it was purchased new and well taken care of.. I will never buy another one again.. I will only purchase Honda or Toyota from now on.

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  You get what you pay for - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JenniferD - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Until November 2003, I loved my Rodeo. It ran like a dream, with just minor irritations. Upon taking it in for a regular oil change, the dealership informed me that at 38000 miles, the entire engine needed to be replaced. They admitted that it was caused by a flaw in the design. At 50K, it was towed in for an electrical short that made the car completely stop on a busy road. The dealership made the problem worse. Now, electrical problems cause cruise control to turn on randomly. The dealership will not support me, Isuzu Corporate will not support me. Time for a trade-in.