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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  Not Shabby - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By MWA3C - February 23 - 4:36 pm

  Bought this ISUZU RODEO based on looks and handling with 110,000 miles on her. Burns about 1qt of oil every 2500 miles or so using 15w40 (owners manual suggests 15w40 and up, go with it, 10w30 will just run right out of her). Overall not a bad truck, could use a little more HP under the hood but for a 3.0 L V6 its not horrible. The suspension is a bit hard on the back with not a lot of travel so you hit the frame bumpers often.. Overall I find long drives are really comfortable. Currently have 155,000 miles on it and still going strong. Regularly driven on 6 hour drives between states w/o issue.

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  2002 rodeo s - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gizmosfriend - February 23 - 9:33 am

  Bought used with low miles, plan jane suv 4 cyl and 5 speed manual with ac, it never let me down. I have taken it across country 2 times in hot weather and it ran cool and ac worked fine, I got about 27-28 mpg on the trips. The only thing Ive done to it is put a battery and a k and n air filter on it in 4 years. It just runs and runs.

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  Love my 2001 Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Andrew - February 23 - 6:30 am

  This has been a fantastic car. I use the 4WD about 10 times a year still and have not gotten stuck...even through thick beach sand, north ga back trails and 3ft of water. Pretty cool. The car has been extremely reliable and has yet to leave me stranded. My wife loves the seat warmers. I had the brakes checked every tire rotation and finally had to change the front brake pads for the first time at 105,000 miles!!!! Only complaint would be the factoy stereo and gas mileage. 16-17mpgHWY

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  honesty is the best... - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Gancha - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is simple and strait forward. I like the controls that take the mystery out of running a vehicle. Drives well but is a little truck-like in ride. One major problem that took 2 weeks to fix centered around the ABS system. The part was on factory order... The front seats limit the back passengers leg room. Power is weak so get the bigger engine. The front seats need to go back further, so if your over 6 feet tall... Also the steering wheel should be angled higher. Beautiful to look at though. Not a bad price considering the other SUVs on the market.

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  Buyer Beware - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By LuckyLeneard - February 19 - 12:43 pm

  If you value comfort do NOT buy this vehicle. After I bought mine in 2002 Ive had nothing but back problems since. After further examination I found the front drivers seat doesnt actually face foward. It is twisted to the left about 5 degrees and the gas pedal is nearly in the middle of the floorboard. It really cause some uncomfort. I found this to be true in the 2003-2005 models as well.

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  Good Except For A Few Issues - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By islndgrl - February 17 - 7:54 pm

  My overall experience with this vehicle was okay. I bought it in 2006 at 46,000 miles. No major problems, had its regular oil changes and tune ups. At about 76,000 plus miles i started to notice stability issues, especially on express ways, it easily tilt in the wind, i thought that it was me but was confirm with other folks driving. At 100,000 plus miles the car making sharp left or right turns, or stopping on ramp or hills in traffic, would just shut off without warning. At 117,000 miles the car was totaled, with my son driving, he was able to walk away from it, i must say looking at the vehicle, you would not have believe that he would. The body on this vehicle is made very well... :)

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  Get your wallet ready - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By MrSwade - February 16 - 10:00 am

  In a little over 2 years I have had the breaks replaced twice. Not the pads but the drums, rotors and other hardware. The vehicle lurches when coming to a stop even from a slow roll. I bought it on impulse after owning a Rodeo and swearing I would never by another Isuzu but I didnt listen to myself and got fooled by the styling and hype. It has been ti the dealer 6 times. The leather quality is better in my mothers Kia Sorento and that SUV rides 10 times better. When I first got the Axiom it turned alot of heads, now it just keeps turning my stomach. Do yourself a BIG favor. Do not buy the Axiom!

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  nice suv - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By hoy - February 5 - 3:16 am

  i enjoy driving it and taking freeway turns

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  Keeps on Trucking - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By cstrat - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Reliable workhorse. Adequate power for a truck. Underside mechanicals are well protected from object damage.

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  THE GREAT ASCENDER - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By TERRY - January 21 - 7:16 am

  This vehicle has been great 70,000 Miles no major repairs 45,000 on set of tires and 60,000 on brakes City mileage 16MPG Highway as much as 23MPG The editors rating is off base, was $7,500 less than its sister Chevy. with double the warranty. Just needs a few more Isuzu dealers in north east ohio. No doubt the Best Bang for the Buck.