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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  50000 Miles and no complaints - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By OE - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems other than a bad ABS sensor that was replaced under warranty.

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  Just get one - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Artman5x5 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I was leasing a 2000 Honda Passport (Rodeo)and enjoyed the truck. The lease was coming to an end and I was looking at getting another but I wanted to buy not lease. I had spent about 2 months shopping around and comparing other SUVs and for the money, ride and equipment nothing came close to the Axiom. The SUVs that came close to what I was looking for were the new Nissan Murano and GMC Envoy but costing between 3,000 and 5,000 dollars more for a similarly equiped Axiom was not worth it.

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  Great vehicle - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By libralady - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We love this Trooper. Sad they dont make them like this any more. We have the limited style that comes standard with a huge sun roof. Great for cargo, long trips, or just tooling around. The bad thing is the paint on the bottom molding scratches too easy, but that is our only complaint. It gets about 16mpg, but thats sort of standard for SUVs. Good vehicle and in two years and 46k miles, not one ping of trouble!

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  Trooper - built like a tank! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By MTN MBA - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Formerly owned Pathfinder & Jeep - both too expensive and uni-body now. Isuzus are under-rated/valued. Great buy used - 1/2 the $ of Toyotas, but equal w/more power, options. I regularly hit AZ mtns and Mexican beaches hauling SCUBA, biking gear - 40k trouble-free miles. Edmunds raters dog them because of "truck" feel, but thats what SUVs are about - not a station wagon! 3.5L V-6 is strong, reliable. Isuzu should update Trooper w/V-8 option for todays market and re-introduce. Will buy another when the time comes.

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  I love my Ascender - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By mom of teens - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have only had my Ascender for a couple of weeks, but I love this SUV. The options available are far better than the Trailblazer, plus the warranty and price cant be beat. I like the 2- tone exterior and the 6 CD changer in the dash. I love the sun roof and the computer. The V8 was also worth the extra $600. The kids love the sound systen in the back. The third row seat is easily accessible, too.

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  Lovin the Axiom - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jballenger - December 8 - 2:00 am

  What a pleasure to drive. I testdrove the Pathfinder, the Highlander, the Escape, etc and none of them can compare to the driving experience of the Axiom.

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  Impressive SUV - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By gunter - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I have been test driving SUVs for the past 6 months and had decided on the Acura MDX. A friend suggested I check out the Isuzu Ascender. After driving both vehicles and comparing styling, cargo area, passenger comfort and overall value, the Ascender has won me over. It is a much better looking vehicle than the MDX both inside and out. I felt more comfortable driving the Ascender (I am 5ft 2, 118 lbs) and I can actually carry other adults in the third row. The gas mileage is better on the MDX, but the MDX lacks the style and comfort of the Ascender.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kinte - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I work at a car Dealership, and I have always liked the style of these vechiles, and it is also one of the more smoother riding mid-sized Suvs. We have 7 different franchises here and this is one of the best. Isuzu has done a great job with this vechile.

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  I would buy a second one!!! - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By sanabu - November 21 - 4:13 pm

  It is a real shame that Isuzu will no longer offer personal automobiles as of January 1, 2009. My 2005 Ascender Limited is probably one of the best buys I have completed based on value and acquisition. I wrote my first review on this car on 6/05. I liked the car then and now I just love it. 72000 miles later the truck still has that new feel. When it was brand new the radio broke and it was fixed by the dealer promptly. Other than that just standard maintenance. Everything works on this SUV. Last time I rated the mileage as a 5. Now Im rating it as a 7 as the truck will usualy do between 18 to 20 miles per gallon which is not bad for the size of truck that I am driving. No complaints.

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  Best SUV you will ever own! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Luc - November 17 - 8:03 pm

  4 years and the only repair was a tuning light bulb! Replace the factory Good Years and the ride quality will improve. I got a set of Pirelli Scorpion ATR - 80 miles/hour and you can hear only a little wind noise! Gas mileage is average, but OK for an SUV - I will say better than most SUVs with same engine size. If you are looking for a used SUV, this will beat by far any other used SUV available in value/reliability/price!