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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  car review - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By pwitry@cox.net - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle used. It was tough to rate it myselfbecause I have only owned it for a few days. It is fun to drive. Feels like a good solid automobile. i have had friends who have owned Isuzu Rodeosand they have had very good luck with them mechanically. i felt it would be a good solid purchase and would not end up being a lemon. I still have plenty of warranty because its warranty took place on dec 18, 2002. It had relatively low mileage which was another plus in my reasoning for purchasing the vehicle. the interiorwas very clean, and I love the exterior look of the car.

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  Fun Car, Timless Style - 2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By AStewart - February 21 - 1:03 am

  It is one of those like it or hate it kind of cars, I wanted this car the first time that I saw it. The style attracted me to it and after driving it I was hooked. The SUV or PUV "Performance utility vehicle" (as some call it) is a blast to drive! Plenty of power and sports car like handing makes it hard to believe it is an SUV. The all wheel full time drive is awesome on wet or snowy roads and the Recaro seats are very nice when sporting around corners.

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  stylish, fun but needs more power - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By 14power - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car 10,000 miles now -- if youre taller than 63" ask your dealer about where to go for a seat conversion -- more leg room is needed! The TOD is awesome. The V6, even though needs some help on hills, has more tourque than it appears. If youre in a hurry the TOD is a lifesaver on wet pavment. It engages at ease. the Sport mode will save your shocks and struts on pothole-filled roads. Dont be fooled by the size of the tires -- they could be wider for more grip around corners.

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  These trucks are undervalued - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rboschen3 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Isuzu truck. The only thing Ive had to deal with so far was a failed hydraulic pump for the ABS (brake system), NOT a safety issue and was replaced for free under recall. If you have a 1999 Rodeo have the dealer check to see if you have an effected vehicle (they do it by VIN #) and have the thing replaced before it goes out (its a freebie to you), Isuzu did not and probably will not send out recall notices on this because it is not a safety issue. So much for the FYI, overall Ive been very happy with this vehicle.

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  Isuzu rodeo LS model - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By cowboybfit - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been horrible! At only 90k miles, I had to replace the brakes, calipers, rotors, manifold gasket and the sending unit inside of the gastank. In addition, most of these parts are dealer items only and cost 3 times as much as most other SUV parts. Can you imagine paying $245.00 just for a sending unit inside of the gastank, not to mention the 4200.00 labor to put it in. I have never had to replace this item or a manifold gasket on other vehicles and some I have owned for 14 yrs, with close to 200k miles!!!

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  just like the Envoy - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By sign guy - February 14 - 9:13 pm

  Made by GM and looks just the GMC Envoy but has a better warranty.

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  Pretty good - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By axiomdude - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I owed a BMW 325 and I love it, but I wanted to buy a SUV after looking for 6 months I decided to buy an Axiom, the price was good and I like it a lot, the only problems is that if feels more like a truck than a car and at the pump is quite expensive, but I wanted an SUV... LOL

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  It has been a good few years. - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By oooper - February 13 - 10:43 am

  Bought this 99 black beauty OOPER back in 08. Had only 70,000 miles on it. After reading many bad reviews of people who had engines fail on them due to perhaps loss of oil I thought I had made a mistake buying this thing. However I have milked it for all it has and checked the oil whenever possible and adding it when needed...I recall reading one thread about the engines not having sufficient drain holes for the oil to settle back down into the pan and that is why you would get different dip stick readings every time...which I have It has been fun to drive and it holds all my gear. However my 4x8 utility trailer full of gear and the back of the trooper full of travel bags reallymadeitsag.

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  I love this!!! - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By I love my Rodeo - February 9 - 2:00 am

  The steering and the response is great!! Powerful V6 engine, fast accelaration, nice sturdy exterior look, regular interior look yet functional. Got a nice warranty with a good price.

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  Acender review - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By bebe237i - February 7 - 11:36 am

  My Acender has been wonderful because of the size, we have taken it on many trips. I bought the third row Acender and the extra space is wonderful. The seats are easy to move. I have only had a few mecanical problems window motror, the ac doesnt work on the 5th setting and the clutch fan went out. But the clutch fan was kind of pricey but you can buy the gmc envoy clutch fan, its cheaper and its the same part. Other than that I love my Acender.