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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  Comfortable limo type ride - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Kent - December 19 - 2:13 pm

  Great ride, good performance and comfortable for 6 of us on a 1500 mile trip to South Florida. Gas mileage of 21 was great and on regular gas. The AWD was great in the rain, and using the trailer hitch and wiring was easy. Good heater and A/C system. Price of $24,000 was lower than some minivans we looked at and this has all wheel drive. Much tighter vehicle than the Town and Country, and more versatile than the van.

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  Not a reliable car in the long run - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By devon - December 14 - 10:40 am

  I bought this car used and it was great, I loved it and everything was fine... and then it hit the 60,000 mile mark. EVERYTHING fell apart on the car. Head gasket, fuel pump, transmission, EVP, everything went on the car. The same thing happened to a family member with the same model of car. If you have one, get rid of it before the mileage gets too high or youll end up with a couple thousand dollars worth of repairs. Even following the scheduled maintenance, and regular oil changes the car doesnt hold up.

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  Great for the Money - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Craig - December 13 - 2:43 pm

  Ive had my Rodeo for about 3 months. No problems at all. It has the Direct Injection, 250-Hp V-6 engine, and it will definitely move. I was astounded by the performance of this engine - especiallly when compared to the [Rodeo} standard V-6. No contest whatsoever. If you get one of these, get the Direct Injection. You wont regret it.

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  Truck based SUV - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Tommy - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I have driven this for 3 years now and I absolutely love it. In FL we have lots of summer rain storms where having a truck-based SUV comes in handy. It accelerates like no other SUV I have ever driven (Power speed button at your finger tip). The HP is amazing. The removable sunroofs are the best feature. Dont buy a girly car based SUV like a CR-V. Buy an Isuzu Rodeo Sport. I have driven my in laws CR-V several dozen times and it simply does not compare. I have have done nothing but routine maint. in 3 years of ownership.

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  Best value for money in the class - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Kedar - December 11 - 4:03 am

  Smooth, comfortable ride. Third row seat actually usable by adults. Plenty of room. In terms of features available for the price, second to none other in the class of large SUVs.

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  Think Twice - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Airell Jacoby - December 10 - 11:26 am

  Bought used in 3/05 & had problems right away. Fuel gauge broken, ABS light always on, rear lights all messed up, & hard down-shifting. All were fixed at the dealerships expense at the tune of $800.00! I have replaced rear wiring harnesses & sway bar links for $300.00. Was told by great garage of unusual 1/2-inch sludge on transmission magnet ... very bad sign of huge transmission problem. This was discovered while in the shop for a new solenoid. Seems like problem after problem. Shame, because its a roomy, fast ride. Seats are hard and the spare squeaks all the way down the road on the back tailgate. Would not recommend. Not worth the money or hassles.

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  A cool SUV - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Donna - December 8 - 3:53 pm

  I bought this vehicle new. It is the 2nd Isuzu Ive owned. I really love it. Its styling is my favorite thing. I never have had any issues with it. But I do wish it was a little better on gas.

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  best bet - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rowddy - December 8 - 10:00 am

  biggest repair was oil change in 82000 miles. runs great, will run at sustained speed over 100 all day long. would never consider another as a replacement. runs as good in 4WD as ford does in 2 WD

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  LOVE MY RODEO - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RICK-RICK - December 7 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Rodeo as a third vehicle for our growing family. Although the Rodeo does not have as much room as our minivan its much sportier, handles better and the overall experience we enjoy with it is satisfying. I use to sell Rodeos a few years ago and felt great everytime I went on a test drive with its new owner. Our Rodeo has 68000 miles on it and the only problem I could begin to discuss is the paint issue. The overall rating more than makes up for the paint issue in my mind. Highly recommended by my family.

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  Excellent for the price - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Kevin James - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my Rodeo and I love it so far. It has great power and handles like a champ!! The six disc changer is very cool and volume audio controlls are similar to the cherokee laredo.