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 it - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By FOOBARED - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I have been having problems with the car right from the start. 1st yr, a side door wire short. Had to leave my car with the dealer for 4 days before they could figure it out. 2nd yr, the electric on the remote key entry got screwed up. 3rd yr, The problem with the wire short resurfaced, the dealer kept the car for 2 days, the car was out of warranty, left me with a bill for 500. 4th yr, an engine noise started dealer said, carbon build up in the engine, fuel light always on, another 350 bucks...rear axle seal rupture. Did the 60k servicing, out for 1500 bucks, engine noise persists. Last year itself I have spent 2500 for the car. FOOBARED DO NOT BUY.

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  Never Again!! - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By bamaboy36863 - November 11 - 1:00 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems. First year we had it, AC motor went out and it took over a week to repair. Blower motor will start to weaken when AC runs for an extended period of time. Third year, speakers in rear and left front began working intermittently or not at all. At the same time the front passenger, rear driver side and hatch locks have worked intermittently. Both underneath panels under front seats where seat adjusters are located have broken loose due to inferior construction. We are NOT rough on this vehicle at all and it has not held up "cosmetically". Engine-wise, no problems, yet.

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  TOD PROBLEMS ARE EXPENSIVE - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Jon - November 2 - 3:53 pm

  I purchased my Axiom on 11/26/2001. At the time I was attracted by the zero percent financing and nice look of the body style. The vehicle drinks gas like an elephant. 12.2 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. This is terrible for a six cylinder. The tires are Goodyears and are terrible. They do not corner well and are terrible on the highway. If you are foolish enough to buy this vehicle do yourself a favor and change the tires right away. The sensors for the TOD are expensive and mine went after 37 months. I still owe $9,000.00 on the vehicle and already Im putting big money into it. It only has 30,000 miles on it. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By taylor - October 25 - 5:26 am

  The ride is bumpy, front seat does not go back far enough from the steering wheel. My rodeo is one of the recalls for the undercarriage. Part of the frame that supports the tire underneath broke off, the vehicle started to rock as though i was in a tornado or caught in a wind storm. i lost control nearly had a wreck someone or myself could have been hurt or killed. I was told that Isuzu have gone out of business and I am responsible for the repairs. Any suggestions.

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  Stuck with a headache - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Eric_V - September 15 - 2:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has not been very positive. Since the first day that I purchased it, it hesitates when the engine is cold (had it checked numerous times and the problem cannot be resolved. The depreciation is astronomical! I paid $28,965 less than 1 year ago. It is currently worth $15,000 - 11K miles. I did not even have this vehicle for a year and lost nearly $14000. It consumes too much fuel. I would not recommend an Isuzu to anyone unless you have money to throw away.

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  Biggest mistake I ever made. - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By F Long - May 29 - 10:56 pm

  I purchased this car in Oct 06. It has been in the shop 4XS for transmission problems, just had trans overhauled as of today still not fixed. I only put 6000 miles on it because I never get to drive it. Its always in the shop for weeks at a time. It rides like an elephant, very bumpy ride. If they ever fix it Im trading it in ASAP. I will never buy a Rodeo again. Exterior looks great but dont be fooled. If you see it on the dealership lot, run the other way as fast as you can.

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  Warning Will Robibson - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By jmingo - May 25 - 4:13 pm

  Had nothing but problems with my Ascender. Major vibrations at 65 mph .2 new rearends, 2 new transfer case .2 new driveshafts.Broke down on Hwy, blew transmission transfer case, Customer support from isuzu is pitiful and downright rude. never buy from Izusu.

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  Buyer Beware - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By LuckyLeneard - February 19 - 12:43 pm

  If you value comfort do NOT buy this vehicle. After I bought mine in 2002 Ive had nothing but back problems since. After further examination I found the front drivers seat doesnt actually face foward. It is twisted to the left about 5 degrees and the gas pedal is nearly in the middle of the floorboard. It really cause some uncomfort. I found this to be true in the 2003-2005 models as well.

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  Get your wallet ready - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By MrSwade - February 16 - 10:00 am

  In a little over 2 years I have had the breaks replaced twice. Not the pads but the drums, rotors and other hardware. The vehicle lurches when coming to a stop even from a slow roll. I bought it on impulse after owning a Rodeo and swearing I would never by another Isuzu but I didnt listen to myself and got fooled by the styling and hype. It has been ti the dealer 6 times. The leather quality is better in my mothers Kia Sorento and that SUV rides 10 times better. When I first got the Axiom it turned alot of heads, now it just keeps turning my stomach. Do yourself a BIG favor. Do not buy the Axiom!

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  Not a reliable car in the long run - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By devon - December 14 - 10:40 am

  I bought this car used and it was great, I loved it and everything was fine... and then it hit the 60,000 mile mark. EVERYTHING fell apart on the car. Head gasket, fuel pump, transmission, EVP, everything went on the car. The same thing happened to a family member with the same model of car. If you have one, get rid of it before the mileage gets too high or youll end up with a couple thousand dollars worth of repairs. Even following the scheduled maintenance, and regular oil changes the car doesnt hold up.