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:

• 

  not recommended - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By h - August 12 - 9:23 am

  Too many minor problems including, paint pealing from all four wheels within first 30000 miles. Dealer repeatedly unable to fix rattle that occurs at 2500 rpm. Throttle body problems. Seats uncomfortable on long rides. ABS modulator had to be replaced, of course just after warranty expired costing me over $500. I hear the ABS modulator is a very common problem with the Rodeo, surprised it was never recalled. Poor wet weather traction.

• 

  2001 Limited an undiscovered gem - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By E man - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I first looked at the Trooper because of the unbelievable discount and 10 120M mile drivetrain warranty. I got a new Limited for about $25M. It is remarkable sturdy, well made vehicle. Ive not had a single problem and plan to keep it until it (or I) reverts to iron ore.

• 

  Excellent - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By catcher10us - July 28 - 2:10 am

  Have had this Rodeo since new, now almost 90k miles. Other than normal maintenance items, brakes and an intake gasket, this truck has been great. Still runs strong and honestly, was looking at something new, but nothing runs better than this. This was my third Isuzu, 2 Troopers and the Rodeo. Sorry Isuzu has given up on the US marketplace.

• 

  Leased - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Dirk Sorkin - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Leased for 4 years. With in this time onlu had a sensor for the chech engine go bad. The paint on the rims pealed off. Other than that it has been a good reliable vehicle.

• 

  8 years going strong - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By mtnmba - July 28 - 12:06 am

  Troopers build quality and reliability have been excellent over 110k rough miles. Only problems were 02 sensor @30k & frt. pinion oil seal@105k - both replaced under warranty; multi-CD chgr quit @80k. Mileage about 16-17 in town & @75mph, but 19-20 towing bike trlr in CO mtns @55-65mph. No squeaks yet; paint on body still excellent-paint on plastic flares has begun to chip. Have taken Mexico to Canada, Maine to SoCal - good trip vehicle, though front seats can seem hard after a 600-mi day. Excellent in snow, off-road, and back country. I did upgrade suspension to OME coils/shocks & frt to Sway-Away hvy dty bars - much improved ride & handling.

• 

  junk - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jvp - July 27 - 10:00 am

  junk, like ride loud ouside noises poor power. dont take it off road unless you like the way undercarriage sounds when it scraps off the rocks.

• 

  Excellent ride and design - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By jk - July 21 - 4:20 pm

  At 209K miles we are about to trade in our trooper due to the C4C program. This is the 4th trooper in the family, 3 for us and 1 for our son. We have had no unexpected problems and Im sorry that we have to sell it now, but the time is right.

• 

  Honest Review - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By The real deal. - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best "Trucks" you can buy, if not THE best. Solid, tight, dependable, durable, powerful, a real workhorse. More interior room than any mid-size SUV, and smaller exterior than the big brutes. Plenty of back seat room for 3, plus lots of cargo space. Very easy to drive around town, but will go anywhere if you like off-road adventures. Ive been to the beach, mountains, and on some very rough rocky and steep trails. The low gear will crawl over just about anyuthing! My teenage daughter would rather drive the Trooper than Moms car. The TOD works perfect in bad weather. This is just a very good do anything,go anywhere, vehicle.

• 

  good family room and value - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By kent - July 20 - 5:46 pm

  Great comfortable ride and the fuel economy is pretty good, 6 of us and luggage on a trip over 21 mpg, in comfort. Pleased with the value and the 7 year warranty. And got a great price, $24,250 bucks for this 7 passenger and all the features. We enjoy it more than our Chrysler minivan that we never could feel safe about, or always worried when the infamous Chrysler quality and transmission would break down. Pleased with the Ascender.

• 

  great car - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By cneeda - July 17 - 10:00 am

  great car, a must drive