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 Reliable SUV - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Susan Hardy - July 25 - 10:00 am

  buy it you will like it

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  Rodeo Input - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rodeo Owner - July 23 - 8:30 pm

  Best ride on the road. Minor problems. No obvious oil leaks after 10 years of use and 200,000 miles.

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  Riding In Style - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Gerrie - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I really love the way the isuzu handles the road. I have a really smooth ride.

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  Reliable - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By joe - July 13 - 11:30 am

  I bought the used vehicle with 127,000 miles on it, and it runs great and has been very reliable. Ive had no mechanical problems or anything major. The engine is strong, has no leaks, and is very clean. The only disappointment I have is that it drives like a minivan and doesnt take sharp turns smoothly. The tires were wearing unevenly till I adjusted the camber.

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  Does it get any better? - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By ryanendres - July 11 - 10:00 am

  After almost 3 years in my 2000 Amigo, I know I made the right choice. So far I have 36k trouble free miles and I hope to see what others have with their 98-99 which is 150k+ trouble free miles. Why did I buy an Amigo? It is a rare truck since only about 10k of them are made per yr. The 10yr/120k warrenty. The ability to go anywhere. And it looks smooth

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  43 Months with a Trooper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By PA Carl - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The Isuzu Trooper has lived up to its billing and to my expectations. The vehicle has been virtually trouble free. The only problem was a leak in the intake manifold gasket after 3-1/2 years. The dealer fixed it under warranty. Its been a great vehicle.

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  I like it... - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kgm - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Fits in my garage Looks like it cost more Rides like luxury Great cock-pit layout NEADS TO GET DRIVER SEAT HIGHT ADJUSTMENT AWSOME BUY FOR THE MONEY

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  Excellent except for gas mileage - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Steve A - July 2 - 2:53 pm

  I bought my 02 Rodeo Sport last Jan. to replace my 94 Jeep Cherokee Sport. What a difference in foul weather. With the Jeep, as soon as the snow fell it had to go into 4WD and didnt come out until spring. With the Isuzu Ive only had to use 4WD twice and that was cause I was playing around. I do miss the manual tranny of the jeep but thats about it. Otherwise Ive had a few minor issues. On the way to work one day the tranny started slipping and popping. Luckily it was only a small cracked gasket which puked out all the tranny fluid. $180 and back on the road. Otherwise just the drivers side window which likes to rock forward when closing.

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  99 Trooper: Staid but Solid! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By carsf - June 30 - 5:40 pm

  The 1999 Isuzu Trooper has proven the most reliable, comfortable mid-size SUV Ive ever owned. More importantly, its delivered flawless performance on & off the road. A 75-mile off-road trek through Death Valley was accomplished with ease, and performs well on highways during my commute. Most value for dollar spent on a mid-size SUV, for sure.

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  Good SUV - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By alex23 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Overall great SUV- nice lines inside and out. Goood handling and performance (keep in mind that it is still a truck frame- NOT a car). Nobody knows what it is (if you like that type of thing). Great features for the money. Robert Chevrolet/Isuzu in NJ as a dealer SUCKS!!!