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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  My 2nd Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Quynn - November 20 - 10:43 pm

  Ive had some problems with the Transmission too and my mileage is low. The RPMs go crazy & I had problems braking. I drive a little, turn off car & restart sometimes fixes problem. My drivers seat does NOT go all the way back. Im 54" & have short legs and seat is problem along with contour. I had a 88 Trooper & loved it. I like this too but I wish the seats were manual & the CD player was of better quality. Lots of room, I can put 2 bird cages, 3 cat carriers and 1-50 lbs dog & their food, in cargo area in case of hurricane evacuation. The "check engine" thingie is broken. I had it reset twice. 2 weeks later, when I gassed up, the light came back on.

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  great performance! - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rodeo101 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Considering the resale value of most suvs these days the rodeo is a steal. Its performance is grade A, while its exterior speaks for itself. Interior is nothing to brag about but it has everything a person would need on a day to day basis. 4WD is a breeze with the push button operation. I used to own a jeep cherokee and the rodeo blows it out of the water in everyway. Well worth the money so far, and Im sure it will continue to impress me.

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  88000+ and still running strong - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By FHFMA - November 12 - 4:36 pm

  We bought this SUV new after an issue with a used car we bought from the same dealer. While it wasnt our first choice for SUV I had owned a 1984 Isuzu PU with a diesel engine one of the first in the country and had great service with it. This is my wifes primary vehicle and while it avg 18mpg around town it will get 25mpg on hwy trips. Its heavy even for the V6 and autotrans accounts for less MPG. Only problem was the transmission had to be replaced at 60K due to a known factory defect. This was covered by the long warranty. Only other issue now will be the cost to replace the timing belt. Important to note this vehicle was supplied to HONDA and sold as the PILOT prior to them making one.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By STS92 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  As good as the first one I bought back in 1984! Overall reliability of this vehicle has been exceptional. No mechanical problems at all in 24,000 miles. Huge interior with the back seats down.

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  Happy with my purchase - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By ifearnopho - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is a lot of fun to drive, looks great, and it has been perfectly reliable for the almost three years that I have had it. For those debating it, I definitely recommend buying the V6 engine. Changing lanes takes getting used to (the blind spots are horrendous,) and with the spare tire and rear-seat headrests where they are, reverse is worse. But those are its only drawbacks - keep them in mind when you test drive it. Ive been very pleased.

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  All around fun car - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Roger17 - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had my Rodeo for almost 3 years and it has been pretty good to me. No major problems ever. Mostly put on highway miles. Great acceleration! Very quick car, even at highway speed. Though the steering doesnt feel that solid as Id like at high speeds. Handles turns well. Have had my 6CD changer replaced twice!! The front seats are too short and become uncomfortable on long trips. Not enough leg room for me (6ft 2), the steering wheel is too far away. Interior is almost too simple and basic but I kinda liked that at first.

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  Dependable, economical - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By workin man - September 26 - 2:46 pm

  Ive owned my Rodeo since late 2002, using it as a work vehicle. Overall, its been a dependable work truck with good gas mileage and plenty of ground clearance. So far, Ive put 104,000 miles on it with few problems. Its easy to work on, but hasnt needed much repair so far.

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  Comme ci, comme ca - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Nicolle - September 23 - 12:23 pm

  I absolutely loved driving this truck because it drove like a car, and drove very smoothly. Super comfortable, great features. But it was a rustbox, I had to get rid of it before it got so bad as to knock the value down too far. The transmission started to slip at approx. 85,000 miles. It was noticeable when going from 1st to 2nd gear - it would hold back, then jump into 2nd. Also from reverse back to 1st. Scared me, didnt want to put a new tranny in. Not much else went wrong with this truck though, it was very reliable and a great size. Awful gas mileage though. Isuzus are cheaply made in the undercarriage, I wouldnt recommend buying one older than a couple years if you live near salt.

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  2001 Rodeo LSE - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jody - August 31 - 10:00 am

  The brakes are so noisey when applied...nothing like my Toyota !! AC takes for ever to get cold and rides just like any other SUV loud and bouncy !! 11 k and ready to trade it in...

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  2002 Isuzu Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By LarryP - August 26 - 10:00 am

  The trooper has been great. it is my second and the 2000 has a great engine and is very reliable.