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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  The Classiest SUV Ever! - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By AxiBaby - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I have test driven alot of SUVs and more than half of them I Didnt like. I finally had decided that I wanted a Nissan Murano until I saw a Axiom drive by (I was at a autoplex with different dealerships). I drove over to the Isuzu dealership and fell in love with it! I bought a 2002 Anthracite Axiom with a moonroof and rear spoiler right on the spot. Heads turn where ever I drive because you dont see many on the road. Ive gotten tons of compliments and even better my mother test drove mine,went out and purchased one exactly like mine (except hers is a XS model)! Do not pass this SUV up!! Its the best one in my opinion on the road.

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  isuzu Review - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By Jack Sang - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I liked the car. It is the best car in the world

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  185k and still going - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By zack_morris - July 21 - 3:10 pm

  Have had this car for 185k and Im pleasantly surprised that its still kicking. Sure, repairs have been needed, but the transmission and engine are still good. The 2 major issues were a defect where the steering column wore through a brake line (covered under warranty), and the ECM on-board computer failed at 165k, causing the engine to missfire and transmission to go wacky, took a while to troubleshoot that one. But overall Im super pleased with the longevity, versatility, ride, cargo capacity, and perfect size in this mid-sized SUV. Im planning to retire the old boy at 200k, and Im having difficulty finding a similar sized SUV with a V6 and the same interior space/cargo room

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  My Awesome 04 Isuzu Axiom! - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By djwiax - July 17 - 6:36 am

  15 months and 33,000 miles after purchase, I have to say I love this vehicle. From its direct injection engine to the exterior to the interior, I love everything about this SUV. Isuzu makes products that not only last forever, they also look GREAT! The 250hp DI 3.5 engine has plenty of power. The traction control (TOD) is awesome -- last winter I had to pass some large trucks in heavy snow on I-25, slick conditions; it never missed a beat. Beautiful interior. I love the two-tone + leather + the digital center panel (Euro look) and the 6 disc player. The performance, looks, and style cant be matched by any American vehicle. I want another one. My 1995 Rodeo still runs great too!

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  Still runnin strong - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Daniel - July 7 - 12:10 am

  I purchased a 99 Isuzu Trooper 4WD new and have never had any problems besides normal wear like shocks, tires, brakes. Very reliable truck. Excellent power to weight ratio.

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  Great Vehicle - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By jarb - July 2 - 10:00 am

  The trooper LS is a lot of vehicle for the money. Well designed and built. Very reliable. I would recommend this SUV to anyone and would buy any Isuzu product.

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  Its not your Dads Isuzu - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Greg - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This is the car Ive been wanting my whole life. Nobody has had exactly what I wanted until now. The Axiom is the right size for a family vehicle. Its big enough to carry vacation gear cross country, but still small enough not to feel like a boat around town. With sports car styling and performance you leave the "soccer-dad look" in your dust. It comes well equiped as a base model, missing only the leather seats and foglights. The Axioms ride is great for this catagory of vehicle. I had planned on a Toyota Highlander as my next car but after comparing them I really preferred the Axiom.

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  WOW This is an suv. - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Shawn Dearing - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this SUV and love it. The acceleration is very spirited. The handling is very responsive. Do not believe the bad reviews this SUV has gotten. I have seen a few on the road and I tought it looks very sporty for an SUV. You can tell that they have limited the marketing because you are not paying for that in the sticker. My MSRP was 31,505 and I paid a cool 24,500 after the nice 4K rebate.

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  2002 Axiom - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By MikeD - May 21 - 10:00 am

  What a great price for all this!!

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  Ascender road trip - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By kent - May 17 - 1:03 pm

  Took 3 teenagers and 3 adults to Florida in the new Ascender and it ran great, plenty of room, and very secure in all the bad weather. Also carried cargo on the standard hitch. Got 22 MPG, long cruising range, very comfortable.