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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  The Ax on Axiom - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Landover - December 29 - 2:00 am

  The sporty looking 4 door midsize suv from Isuzu is supposed to be the replacement vehicle for the Trooper. Although smaller its appeal is more appealing.

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  Looks good... but very problematic - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By johnnykk - October 10 - 2:00 am

  It looked and felt good when I bought it (used) a year ago. But then the problems kept on coming. As much as I liked the look and ride... it kept finding its way into the shop. This thing is NOT durable at all. Its an SUV alright... but you cant treat it like one.

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  I really wanted to keep liking - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By rkmii - September 23 - 5:00 am

  I bought it new but within 5 years it was sucking down a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. This is a well-maintained vehicle. We are talking about a defective engine here and Isuzu has refused and/or failed to do anything about it unless somebodys Trooper was under warranty while it was doing the same thing. Also has developed problems with transfer case, TOD system - pretty much the entire drive train. I dont abuse my vehicles. For these reasons I rate my Trooper as having poor reliability because without the motor its nothing. This is my second Trooper and my second Isuzu. Both have been let-downs. I wont buy another Isuzu. Ever.

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  Not that impressed... - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Disappointed inKC - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Has been in the shop 3 times in 6 weeks with defects that "cannot be replicated" once at the dealer. Rubber "boot" around front doors which is supposed to keep air out keeps coming off (has been fixed twice in 6 weeks). Strong gas smell after running for about 15 mins. Makes bad noise when backing up. Wipers quit working within 1 week of owning. Less than 10,000 miles on this vehicle. Last time I buy foreign. Give me a Ford any day!

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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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  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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  Put the Brakes On - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Not So Happy Now - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought 2001 on recommendation of friend. Truck is fun to drive, looks great. However, the ride is rough, the 4-cyl is way underpowered, and the brakes are bad. Only 31,000 miles of mixed city/road driving and we had to have entire front and rear brakes replaced for "heat spots" from overheating. Lots of squeaks and rattles. Resale value terrible. Buy it if you like a good-looking truck but dont care about reliability or performance.

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  Bad Egg - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jorge A. - July 10 - 11:16 pm

  I have been very unimpressed with this SUV. I have owned three different SUVs and this one has performed the poorest. I bought it brand new from a dealer which told me I would love it. From day one the vehicle has been emitting a rotten egg smell, the ride is very bouncy and bumpy. I have spoken to the sales reps, service dept, and have even taken the vehicle in for a diagnoses of the problems. I have recieved negative results in getting the issues fixed. Gas mileage is below average. I would just like a better one that works correctly. I should be able to get Isuzu on a Lemon law.

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  D.O.A. 2004 Axiom - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Abbey - June 21 - 5:30 pm

  We previously owned an Isuzu Rodeo which we had almost 300,000 miles when we sold it. It was still running great so we decided to purchase another Isuzu. The Axioms were being discontinued so we got a bargain on it. The car now has 71,000 miles on it and has been in for repair twice within the last six months for the same problem. No warning lights come on, but the engine starts to make a strange noise and stops. Both times the vehicle was almost completely out of oil with no warning whatsoever. It shows no signs of leaking underneath and is not exhausting black smoke. The dealers have been vague in diagnosing the problem. I believe the car is cursed and has been a lemon all along.

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  Too many little things, one big problem - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By nateasu - March 10 - 9:56 pm

  Bought the car, was happy. Turns out the headrest was broken and wouldnt stay up. Dealership told me theyd have to unstitch the seat to get to the problem and Id be without a car for a week. Hood had dimples in it like someone sat on it with quarters in their back pocket. 100 miles after the warranty, the CD player broke and ruined my CDs. Parking brake never really worked. Probably caused by the dealership drove around with the parking brake on because the rear brakes needed to be replaced the first time I had them inspected. Oh yeah, 4 years into owning the car, it wouldnt shift out of 1st gear. I had an emergency repair done then the manufacturer wouldnt honor the warranty. Cost me $4k.