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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  great trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By riles - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Not enough cup holders and low gas mileage but tows great, off roads great, and packs a ton. I would recommend.

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  Great car, just the best - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By luke702 - March 14 - 2:59 am

  Ive had over 20 cars including high end (such as MB S600, etc). This car has outlived every single one, and Im sure it will outlive military tanks! Recently I had to sell it, which I didnt want to do, at the time the car had about 280K miles and was still running strong. Loaned the vehicle to a friend who abused it for a couple of years, and still the car NEVER had ANY problems. The VERY FEW things that I had to fix were minor.

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  musto gucho - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By msmorphine - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a really fun car to drive with the added comfort of 4x4 reliability during extreme conditons. Sharp features and easy to park with its compact size. Pretty generous warranty added as well.

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  A smooth and quiet ride with value - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By tom grunden - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We looked at most of the larger SUVs before buying last winter. We decided on the Ascender strictly on the basis of highway ride coupled with price. We found nothing in the market close in this combination without adding $6,000 to $10,000 to the purchase price.

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  Isuzu is the best truck made, Texas - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By InfamousKato - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I dont understand why you have to drive a big truck in TX when the best truvk made is the Trooper. I had already pulled a high-centered Dodge out of the mud....what else do you want?

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  Ole Reliable? Well See. - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Charbojr - January 15 - 10:00 am

  3000 miles and overall I like this truck. It looks great and handles well. Has more power than my 99 Saab 9-5SE. Its perfect for the foul weather here in NE. Has had some strange quirks but its an Isuzu not a Land Rover. Plus a warranty youll love to love.

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  old zuzu - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By bigroo - January 15 - 10:00 am

  sorry people, i have a 95 rodeo. i just had to write something. my 95 rodeo has been through 3 teenagers, now on 128000 miles and has had no problems on it as far as breaking down. this is my first vehicle and i LOVE it!! and of course its got 4wd so this thing does see a lot of off road use. it has held up for almost 10 years now. even as its previous owners treated it like a red headed step-child.

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  2002 Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By maxell27 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 Rodeo S V6 4wd and love it. It handles great and it is a true SUV, not like a car with SUV features. I loved it so much that my folks just bought a 2002 Rodeo LS 4wd. You can not beat the warranty, features and price. I wanted a SUV not a car and I am very pleased with my Rodeo. In fact so are my folks.

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  Something Missing - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Diablita - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I think the Rodeo is a fun car to drive it needs a little improvement... the interior is not that pretty, the cloth of the seats is a very cheap maetrial, but they are not that uncomfortable... very roomy, and the cargo area is huge... i cant really complain there

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  Pleased Overall - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By andrea kelley - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the Rodeo when I found out I was pregnant and specifically wanted a small SUV for the ease of getting a child in and out of the car seat. I didnt want to hurt my back by lifting an bending over constantly. The extra space for the stroller and misc supplies has been a real plus. The actual performance of the vehicle has been excellent. I havent had any problems what so ever mechanically. The pick up is not as powerful as I sometimes want it, but then again I need to remeber there are children in the car now and I dont need to race everywhere I go.Overall Im satisfied.