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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  Its Better Than you Think - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Steve MB - January 21 - 8:56 am

  Izuzu gets a rap but this is a great vehicle, thouroughly enjoyable, super performance, I dont disagree with the steering comments but my explorer was far worse. Over all a great ride.

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  Cant get much better - 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Scott Free - January 20 - 11:33 pm

  Purchased my VX in early 2002 and have been in love ever since. It handles more like a sports car than an SUV. In the snow it is a beast, never got stuck one time. Drove it on the beach in NC and all I got was turning heads. Put simply, it is like owning an exotic car. Only 5000 were ever produced, so you almost NEVER see another one, wherever you go, not like so many other mass production vehicles (1 every 3 blocks!). The stiff ride allows you to feel the road, and corner without yaw. Good luck getting a used one, because I will probably NEVER sell mine. :) Simply the best experience I have ever had with a vehicle.

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  Crash Test Dummy - 2000 Isuzu Amigo
  By chris - January 16 - 5:00 am

  I only owned this Amigo for 6 hours. I was driving it home when a 2002 Ford F150 turned in front of me. I was going 50 mph. The collision was nearly head-on at somewhere between 60 and 80 mph. The Amigo held up great! All the damage was in front of the passenger compartment. I was in the hospital for 2 days for observation due to concussion, but I am definitely getting another Amigo. Thank you to the engineers at Isuzu! Im also going to get one for my teenage son.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Oval - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had several 4-wheel drive vehicles and this is by far the best. Ive taken it off roading and it performs great. A great feature are the skid plates that are standard on the vehicle. Its elegant for going out and yet its rugged enough to stand up in the woods. Living in New England I was impressed the way it handled in snow as well. Ive never had a problem with it and Ive gotten 17,000 miles on it so far. My wife loves driving it and she feels very safe in it. Id recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Very Impressed - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By sirrundmc - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is unreal. I am so impressed with the quality and make of the vehicle. Roominess is an understatement. The quality of this vehicle is beyond my expectations. I use to own a Chevy Suburban and I swore up and down I would never buy another American made car. But even though this car is American made, it has the quality of a Japanese made car without the price or the shortcomings in roomyiness. This SUVis the secret of 2004.

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  PRACTICAL-NOT PICKY - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By KEITHMB - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I READ ALL THE REVIEWS OF THE RODEO AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO SHAKE MY HEAD AT THE COMMENTS THAT PEOPLE MAKE! I THINK A LOT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE. 4WD DOES NOT MEAN 4 WHATEVER DRIVER! TAKE CARE OF YOUR VEHICLE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. LOVE THIS VEHICLE. THE LOOKS, THE PERFORMANCE-V6 HAS PLENTY OF POWER (BETTER THAN THAT KOREAN V6), THE RELIABILITY. HEY ITS NOT A BMW OR LEXUS CLASS SUV-BUT ITS NUMBER ONE FOR ME!

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  Good Value - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By dogzallez - December 10 - 12:00 pm

  While the mileage could be better, the Ascender is a pleasure to drive. The cabin is roomy and easy to haul things with. The fold down seats also have headrests that fold down when the seats do so that the head rest doesnt have to be removed from the seats like the older Rodeos did. Peppy V-6 engine and a smooth ride. The instruments are easy to see through the steering wheel while driving.

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  Driving for 1 month (1200 miles) - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Wes64 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  1st SUV driven & drives nicely like car. Drove on gravel roads w/ pot holes, in pouring rain & big puddles & handles much better than my 92 Accord. Its sluggish, compared to Accord, but goes well when pressing gas & A/C is on. Back door opens sideways. Cant drive w/ back window open. Seats are comfortable while driving or riding whereas the editor review said it wasnt. Average of 18.5 MPG w/ A/C on. Towing sounds good from the specs of 3500 lbs, but havent tried towing anything yet (manual says dont drive over 45 MPH). The engine is quiet after 1st gear when & not much road noise, even w/ large tires (16" P245). In first gear its noisier.

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  What a rocket. - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By ahmadsa - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for 4 months now and absolutely love it. Ive out run BMW X5 3.0 and lexus RX 300 in pickup and on the higway. I love the roar of the engine and immediate throttle response. Breaking is also excellent. The only thing Ive had a problem with was the rear view mirror that came off, but the dealer fixed it at no cost. This truck is not for the nerds. I would only recommend this vehicle to a speed enthusiast. It takes no prisnors...speed speed and more speed. Wow, what a rush.

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  The Rodeo Rocks Hard - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RodeoRocks! - December 2 - 2:00 am

  We shopped around for over 7 months & the ‘03 Rodeo was such a killer deal, brand new. Major fun, great warranty/well built. Love displays; stereo is the easiest thing to operate! Floormats like no others; they grip solidly. Perfect sized, head- turning, sharp SUV for a super deal. And remember, John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."