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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  Only One!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By elite_iv - December 27 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is nothing short of amazing. The alternate transmission and suspensions options make it so much fun to drive. You can feel like your driving an X5 or a Landcruiser. I have driven both and neither have anything on the Axiom. I have the two-tone leather seats which are extremely stylish and comfortable. I put about 16,000 miles on her so far without any problems. My average gas mileage is 18MPG, which is great for an SUV. I get 20MPG on trips. It is quiet, smooth, and, yet, powerful. The looks are unbelievable and the drive is luxurious. Get one as soon as you can. I have had it 6 months and have only seen 1 other one. Another unexpected perk.

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  My zuzu needs work after 120k, but hey! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By kr in fl - December 13 - 5:53 pm

  Bought about 18 mos ago. Never thought Id want to drive an SUV, but somehow its NOT big and cumbersome. Everything Ive read about power, cargo, visibility, handling I must support. Its great! Had an overheating problem but a new thermostat fixed it. The A/C fan does need to be beefier (mine is out now) and my trans has been failing for 6 months or so. One week it drives fine,and the next is awful- suddenly free-spinning and losing speed in traffic. Im told there is a leak, but its a "closed system", I cant check or add tranny fluid. The tranny must be REPLACED, cannot be rebuilt. I found a local shop that will do it for 1600.00. Every other owner I run into raves about their Trooper

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  As reliable as the sun - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By mike696 - December 8 - 2:25 am

  Have had this truck for nearly 10 years and put over 150k miles on it. Was great for helping move my friends drum kit, hauling a tent trailer up a mountain, and going off-road. The Axiom has great power and control. Was more fun to drive than a V6 Altima. Cant even imagine replacing this with anything else.

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  best in price range - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By pete corrigan - November 28 - 10:00 am

  ive owned domestic all my life.this time i bought japanese.next time japanese and japanese ect.quality and reliablity is far superior...i was tired of bringing back my chev,ford to the dealer every other day.

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  Rodeo LS - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By CWS - November 14 - 10:00 am

  A fun to drive, dependable SUV. Enjoy driving, very comfortable and a great CD system. Very good exterior and interior finish. Same quality as the Honda that we traded in on the Rodeo. Very little maintenance has kept the operating cost low.

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  Axiom I love it - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By baldo - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I looked for an SUV type vehicle for months. The Axiom styling caught my eye. I love this vehicle. It has just the right mix of luxury options, and standard features.

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  my review - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By DCALLEN - November 13 - 10:43 pm

  We have loved our Axiom ever since we purchased it. Its perfect for our family of four. It handles and drives well. We had a Rodeo before the Axiom and loved our Rodeo as well.

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  Too bad Isuzu stopped making the Rodeo - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By briantwomey - October 25 - 5:37 am

  I bought this new in 2000. It now has 125K miles and purs like a kitten. Feels the bumps in the road more than some other SUVs and thats because the Rodeo was built on a truck frame. I understood this when I bought it. The Rodeo came with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Try to find that today. You may get a 5 year 100K mi but nobody wants to go 10 years. Other than the usual maintenance wear and tare stuff my Isuzu had been great. I think this year Ill replace the sound system and look for some new rims. It has great reaction and control and also great pick-up.

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  Review - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By John Tucker - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Poor gas mileage, especially in city traffic. Lots of wind noise with windows open.

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  "Just My Style" - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Omie Terrell - October 10 - 2:00 am

  With my just being retired from working and now having alot of time on my hand, I find myself on the go. I like to shop and my car just didnt have the room for storage. My new 2003 Axiom have enough room for all my hauling. And I decide to dress up and go out on the town, it fix that need as well. It a well built vehicle that handle well and meets many needs.