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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  Love my SUV! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Staci Cooper - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Axiom! It has all the features, the comfort and design I love. I feel confident in every aspect of of driving. Thank you Isuzu.

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  Its been a great year and a half - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By PleasedOwner - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Every so often I check on what is being written about the Axiom. I bought it a year a half ago and have had no problems. I like the power, we actually took it off road a bit in Moab and it did fine. It has been good in the snow too. It still runs as well as when we bought it. I dont have any buyers remorse, we will get 120K off of it for sure.

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  Fun to drive - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By DovBenDov - April 17 - 10:00 am

  We needed a bigger car (9 month old twins) and there was no way we would drive a van even though its more practical. Couldnt be happier. Stroller fits in the back just fine along with whatever we needed to take for our first long trip. Easy to take the kids in and out of their seats. Lots of power for an suv and the styling is great. Got brand new 2002 at 10K below msrp.

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  Ive Had Two of These! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Gary Estep - April 11 - 10:15 am

  Needed a tranny rebuild at 115,000 miles. Otherwise no problems at all. Still going strong at 124,000 miles.

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  Extremely Disappointed - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Disgusted at Isuzu - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I guess theres a reason why they say you get what you pay for. However, by buying the higher end model of this vehicle, I expected to get more. Ive had numerous troubles with this SUV including noisy brake system, whining in the engine, flutter noises in the tired, hesitation starting and a bad odor coming from the vents....just to name a few.

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  Great SUV/Rough on gas - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By mccabe1919 - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun drive..Although look out for your gas. It can be rough!

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  10 years and still running strong - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Dale Fieber - April 4 - 10:03 am

  I bought my Rodeo new in 2000, that was 10 years ago. It now has over 156k miles on it. Aside from normal maintenance, I have only had 400.00 repair of a leaking plug on transmission. at 150k, the brake pads still had 30% wear left - incredible. Its still spunky, and has enuf power. Cd changer went out - I hear that is common. Too bad resale at this point is not real good - at KBB prices, it will be a great deal for someone should I decide to part with it.

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  I love my rodeo - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Linda - April 1 - 3:33 am

  I have owned my rodeo almost 12 years. I am the original owner. There have been minimal problems with it. I debated getting a new vehicle after five years and again after eight years and again after ten years; however I just cant part with it and now I would never get enough money out of it to make it worth selling. I have never been left stranded with it. I have done all the maintenance as required and been proactive to do repairs before necessary. I take good care of it and it has always been garaged. Everyone has always thought it was new. I will probably never get rid of it . I have 160,000 miles on it and it still looks great both inside and out. I love it.

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  2nd Rodeo Ive Owned - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Ron Webster - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I got 300,000 miles from my 93 Rodeo. The 02 Ive got has done well with not mechanical problems. Daily avergage mileage is 350 miles of city and over the highway.

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  Regular Rodeo - - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By SD - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Rodeo for about a year an d a half. Has been fairly reliable. There has been a few things that have came up that frustrates me. 1) The ABS light stays on - sensor 2) Now my gas gauge stays on E most of the time. 3) I have had 2 situations where it did not start but after trying 5 - 7 times it started right up. Had battery checked and it is fine. Can not be the alternator due to it doing this at the initial start up. Has only happened 3 times within the past 6 months???