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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  Great Balance-Features and Performance - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By PaulG6373 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  We test drove many vehicles looking for a quality mid-size SUV, Explorers, 2003 Cherokees, Mountaineers, Envoys, etc. The last SUV we tested was a beautiful black, 2003 Isuzu Ascender Limited (V8 4WD).it was impressive from the outside and even more impressive on the inside. Interior is beautifully crafted, of great materials, and contained every feature we could imagine.. the 3rd row seat had plenty of room (unlike Explorers), and the seat folded down much better than the one in the explorer as well. During the test drive, the vehicle handled like a much smaller vehicle, with very little body roll, road noise, yet with plenty of power.

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  Steves Isuzu Trooper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Steve Trooper - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Great. Nice, big, & roomy. Interior very flexible for putting things in (seats down/up, etc. + other unique features). Poor gas mileage - 12-14 mpg around town.

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  Nice look...rodeo sport - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By patvette - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Soft top back window and side windows hhave to be removed to put top down...this is a pain, they are hard to put back in. Sporty look makes it look like a more expensive vehicle....nice look 6 CD changer sounds real good Gas milage stinks...city avg. 14 mpg, highway 19mpg. A little noisy, tire nosie destracting. Moon roof hard to get off and on...very heavy for a female to manage by herself and Im not a wimpy female.

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  Rodeo Sport is Fun - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Lin Graf - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Good ride and the roofs are great. I am surprised at the low fuel mileage for a 4 cylinder engine 20mpg.

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  Great Small SUV - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Tonym211 - April 4 - 4:23 am

  My Rodeo Sport hardtop has 77k miles with no major problems. Built very well and feels solid to drive, much more so than the Wrangler I used to own. Sits up high and the two bubble windows allow a good view of cars in the blindspots. The V6 engine is strong and the 4WD is excellent, the moonroofs are fun and add natural light, the 6-speaker stereo is pretty good and all the power options still work well. Good cargo room in the back and places for stuff in the front. Its easy to clean inside, and the outside even looks good dirty. And since its small theres a lot more room in the garage. Overall a great little SUV for on and off-road.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Brobas - April 3 - 2:00 am

  My first Rodeo, 2000 model was taken back in a NY State Lemon Law Dispute. I received this one in trade. Overall I like the truck. Very stylish, awesome off-road ability. The dealership I bought it from has been great.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Isusuman - March 3 - 10:00 am

  After leaving the dealership in a brand new automatic Rodeo for under $16k, I felt like it was a steal.. and it was. The Rodeo is a vehicle true to its heritage. It is a no frills SUV and acts like one. The 4ccyl does not have a lot of pep off the line, but has excellent power at highway speeds. The Rodeo handles great, but the brakes leave little to be desired. Overall, it is an excellent value if you have a limited budget!

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  The Plague of 1998 - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By boozetown@go.com - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I leased my 98 Rodeo for 3 years and then bought vehicle at the end of the lease. From the beginning I had nothing but problems including having the brakes worked on 8 times in 3 years. Just after warranty, I spent about $1500 more on the brakes and they still were not right. Also had fuel injectors go out that costed about $500. And had to have the bracket holding the rear spare taken off to remove the tire. Nothing good to say about vehicle except it does look good.

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  Pretty Good Truck - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By 1Time - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my rodeo for 3 years now. Its has been a great truck! Only problem has been the fuel sensor or something, the hand stays on e all the time, but I just reset the trip tackometer every time I fill up. I doubt if it is still under warranty it has 88k now. The head rest if very uncomfortable for resting on long drives but other than that, I like the truck.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Bryan - February 2 - 12:23 pm

  I bought this car new in 2003 for my wife. Having owned a 1994 Rodeo with 180,000 with no problems I knew this was the way to go and I wasnt let down. Our 03 rodeo now has 130,000 miles and still drives like new. Weve performed regular oil changes and had a new timing belt installed at 70,000 miles. (not because it was giving us problems, thats just what you do at $70,000 miles) but thats it! This car has never been in the shop. This car is so inexpensive to own and maintain. You simply cant beat a rodeo!