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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  Value - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By nichole - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The value of this car is terrible. After a year and a half with my car, the value is a little less than half of the purchase price. And those offers are from several dealerships.

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  Terrible car - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By chels - November 17 - 11:00 pm

  I bought a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo last August, this car has given me so much trouble. I have had to replace the starter, tires several times, 2 door latches, EGR valve, throttle position sensor, headlight assembly kit. I have tried to keep up the maintenance on this car and it is a money pit. I love driving it, and I love the comfort of the interior, but this is just not a reliable car. Also, the car idles very high around the 3 rpms in park and around 2 in drive and reverse.

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  A good-looking headache - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rowdeeyo - November 16 - 12:06 am

  I am an 18 year old college freshman. I got this car senior year (last year) because its a 4 1/2 hour drive to and from home and school. I got this car thinking that it would be a good, reliable vehicle. Unfortunately, Im now stuck with an oil-burning mess that depreciates alarmingly fast. Ill fix one thing, only to have two more problems emerge. This car is so frustrating. I do like the power. I have to check my speedometer often, because if I dont, I find myself going way too fast. I also like the manual transmission. I do enjoy the rarity of a stick shift midsize SUV. The shifter is really long and the clutch is awkward, but hey, its a truck. I expected that.

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  ISUZU RODOE LSE - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By EDDY - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I HAD THIS TRUCK FOR THREE YEARS I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGAIN HARNESS THE COMPUTOR ALL AT MY COST THEY SAY THE TRUCK COMES WITH 7YEARS 70.000 MILES ID LOVE TO SEE IT THISE WAS MY FIRST ISUZU AND MY LAST BILLY

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  Problem after Problem - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By DAL - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Has an irratic idle problem which even the dealer cant seem to fix...causes car to idle at higher than normal RPM. Its totally random, never know when it will occur. Because of irradic idle, when car is stopped or trying to stop, it will want to lurch forward, not allowing you to stop properlly and promtly. Very scary. At ~30k miles, ABS motor went on and kept running until it drained the battery. At 53k miles need to replace fuel sender (~$50 part, 2 hrs labor). At 56k ABS light is on and need to replace entire ABS module to fix ($250 part, 2hrs labor). Loud muffler. Doesnt handle well in snow or rough mountain roads. Will not keep much longer.

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  What next? - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By NY Mary - October 26 - 3:26 am

  I bought my 2002 Rodeo in Dec. of 2002 and I had high hopes for it as I had previously owned a 1999 Rodeo. The first one had a defect in the paint that Isuzu never took care of but the car ran great. Unfortunately, my 2002 Rodeo had what started out as an oil leak that the dealership could never find and ended with a new engine having to be put in. My warranty covered everything but the inconvenience and aggravation of bringing it back each time was too much. As for the body, every time I look at it I see new dings and defects in the paint which Ive grown accustomed to. The interior is cheap plastic which youre always finding mystery bits and pieces.

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  99 Rodeo - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By fzap - September 10 - 12:03 am

  This auto has been very dependable. Winter and Power buttons in undesirable place. Would like longer sun visors. Havent had any difficulties with this car. All in all, if I were to buy another SUV, Id consider another Rodeo.

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  Think Twice - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By rcasti01 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the vehicle because of the distinct design, leather color interior and quality. But after just 1 year of driving this particular vehicle it has been in the shop 4 times. Twice becuase of electrical problems and twice for interior pieces falling apart. In-fact on the driver door panel the bottom paneling is coming off, so Ill have to return it back to the dealership. The MSRP was a little under 30K, with a 4K dealer discount plus my GM discount... I bought on impulse. Ive havent been to happy with my descision.

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  Too many repairs - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By BL - August 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle for a pretty sweet deal in April of 2001. Years later- I now know why. The resale value on Rodeos is horrible. In the 3+ years Ive owned it, its had several recalls, replaced the alternator and serpentine belt @ 75K, got new brakes twice, endured 3 flat tires within a 4 month span, the CD player eats CDs and wont play burned ones, interior noises (rattles, squeaks) are getting very loud, and the seats are uncomfortable. Not enough storage space in the glove box and arm rest. Hard to see over the rear spare tailgate mount. The exterior (mine is silver) still looks great. Gas mileage has been pretty good. Pretty peppy v6. I regret buying it.

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  Not Great just Good - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By R.K. - May 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Rodeo for almost 4 years. I have read other reviews where people complain about vehicle not being reliable. However I have had no major problems with mine. My Rodeo has been very reliable. Only three complaints. First is the seat and headrests are very uncomfortable on long trips. The second is the number of recalls the vehicle has had. Lastly too rough of a ride.