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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  BEST ISUZU - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By SASAS - April 16 - 10:00 am

  GREAT SUV GOT TO BUY ISUZU IS THE BEST

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  We love our Rodeo - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Billy007 - April 7 - 10:00 am

  We have not had any problems with the vehicle at 83000 miles. The car is peppy and fun to drive. The interior is comfortable and looks good. I especially like the dash layout and how easy everything is to use. This is my favorite SUV on the road over anything else.

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  Great Ride - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Rade - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I cant believe how great the Axiom, I love the way it looks and when I test drove one, I was sold. Great handle. Well worth the money. Only improvement I can think of is the radio, cant upgrade it. A/C control is mixed in with the radio

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  most for your money - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Linda Hayes - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I have loved my Axiom I have not had it in the shop except for normal mantanince and oil change. The ride is great.The comfort is wonderful. My friend has a ford explorer and it does not even compare to mine. The ride is ruff and it rattles. The Axiom is soild even with the 20"low profile tires and mags.And has more equipment for the price also.

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  ASCENDER IS AN AWESOME PURCHASE!!! - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By ISACC - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I COMPARED THE ASCENDER TO A HONDA PILOT, CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND GMC ENVOY. I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND MY CHOICE WAS BASED ON WARRENTY, PRICE OF VEHICLE AND BIGGER BANG FOR THE BUCK. I CONTACTED 6 DEALERSHIPS & HAD THEM COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHERS "OFFER". THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR MY BUSINESS, I DID NOT STRESS OR WORRY, THE PHONE RANGED EVERY FEW HOURS & EACH TIME IT WAS A ISUZU SALESPERSON DROPPING THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY 3 DAYS OF PRICE WARS, I BOUGHT A LIMITED 7 PASS FOR ONLY $28,500 FROM MILI GORDON DEALERSHIP IN OKLAHOMA. I DID NOT DO ANY FINACING WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 10 MILES ON IT. EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

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  Very Satified Owner - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Mary Brandenburg - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle approx. 14 mos ago based upon the outstanding rebate and need for new vehicle. I was not totally sold on it when I sought it, but I purchased the Limited model which had all of the options I was wanting. Im liking it more and more and have been very satisfied with the overall performance. It doesnt get fantastic gas mileage but I have not had a single problem with it.

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  Happy Camper - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Vince - March 18 - 7:56 am

  78,000 miles when I bought it, now 161,000. Most reliable vehicle Ive owned, but at 120,000 I had preventive maintenance done to it also, installed a new timing belt, water pump, oil pump, and belt tensioner. All four items came together as a parts kit and they are all together in the engine too, kit made sense to do all. Could do better on oil consumption, but not too terrible. Uses cheap fuel sending units and replacements are cheap too, I replaced the first one myself at 81,000 and the second one at 158,000, cost less than $40 each. I get a ABS light when the trans fluid is low once a year, have to add fluid through drain plug. Lots of shops scam people on this, check levels 1st and save $$$!

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  Value added - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By TRUPA - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Best SUV you can get at a reasonable price.

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  INITIALLY HAD BUYER REMORSE - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Tbone - February 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV and it rides like a car. I didnt get the four wheel drive, as I wanted to maximize fuel efficieny. I am averaging around 19.5 (it was worse until I hit the 10,000 mileage). I get many compliments on the vehicle (the color is anthracite metllatic). At first I was saddened cause I didnt get the four wheel drive, which would have the Tourqe on Demand. In the Maryland area, we have been having mild winters. This past winter there would have been only two instances to use the four wheel drive, so now I am okay. Overall, I am quite pleased with the Axiom, just a little disappointed in the MPG.

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  Nhubu - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gdf56 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  a very good reliable car that is very attractive in price style not to mention safety because it protected me completly in a head-on