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 SUV for $$ - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By chefjasonQ - December 4 - 6:46 pm

  I purchased a 98 Rodeo as a second car in 2007, with 138K miles on it. I now have over 160K with an alternator being the only repair. It runs great, has plenty of power, decent ride, good looks but awful gas mileage. On a trip I can squeak out 18mpg highway but in mixed driving, about 14mpg tops so lots of frequent $50 fill ups with the 18 gallon tank. For $22K new I might want more in this truck but I paid $2800 and its been worth every penny. So much so Im looking to find a low mileage 2004. For 10 years old, its a great used truck. Its not a Honda but beats the hell out of a 10 year old Blazer. Actually, Id take it over a 5 year old Blazer!!

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  Nice ride, easy to park and fun - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By beeves - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Wed never heard of Axiom. We only test drove Honda Pilot and Element, Lexus RX 330, Nissan Pathfinder and Mercury Mountaineer. Once we test drove the Axiom, we were amazed with its drive quality. It was easy to park even in the tightest space at work. I personally think its comparable to a Honda Pilot in terms of drive comfort and ride quality.

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  Reliable with caveats - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Tory97 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely no problems for 69,000 miles. Great off road and TOD system works well. Air conditioning unit cannot cool vehicle when temps get to 85. Poor gas mileage (15 MPG overall)

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  POOR MANs TOYOTA LANDCRUISER! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By go-to-ak - November 7 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd Trooper and sixth SUV of varying makes. Good V6 power, comfortable, nice conservative look. Good handling on the street, but surprisingly off road can leave most "real" SUVs (like Jeep, Range Rover in the dust). Huge interior olume for storage, camping gear, big dogs, etc. Overall reliablity of these is excellent- you may have a few minor problems but not ones that will actually strand you. Known problems in this car are oil consumption if PCV and EGR valve are not kept clean every 30K miles, also running synthetic oil seems to prevent this. Mine burns no oil. MPG average for this class. Factory shocks were weak - suggest Ranchos- dramatic improvemen

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  I am Happy I Bought it - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Happyone - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Rodeo in August 2002. I must say I am really happy with it. Aside from the poor gas mileage (city), I am happy I bought it. The interior of the vehichle is cheaply built, but the power is awesome. It is really dependable and affordable.

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  Good Truck - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jsh - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Good truck. Make sure you pay proper price

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  Best bang for the buck - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By GSA - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this SUV for a month. Orignally wanted the GMC ENVOY. Guess what its the same SUV. The big difference is the Isuzu comes with a better warranty and costs less. Its a no brainer. I also like the looks of the isuzu better. The only real differnce is the front grill and lights. Plenty of horse power and great to load up the family into.

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  Problems? Maybe a couple small ones - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By redg - November 2 - 5:17 pm

  Im in California. No salted roads, not much rain or snow. Ive read the reviews of rusted frames but mine has no rust. I bought the car, a previous rental, one year old and, except for the fuel sender, replaced at 75000 mi. and the recurring engine light for the egr valve (Just remove it and clean it...easy to do) its performed flawlessly. Only gets 20mpg on the road and uses a quart of oil (I run 5-30 synthetic) between changes. Rough riding without a full load of people. I love this car. Plenty of power and nimble handling, I guess the winter drive selection must sense temperature because it only worked once...in winter. Power drive is a nice touch. A poor mans Honda Passport

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  Best choice - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Bronco84 - October 20 - 12:56 pm

  In first 30 days drove over 4000 miles in rain, ice, sleet and snow. The vehicle performed beyond my expectations. Traction was great with total control. Only problem encountered was widnshield washer fluid freeze up with factory fluid at -30 degrees temperature. Engine performed great in mountains as well as on flatlands.

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  2000 Isuzu Trooper S 4x4 - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By sastzh - October 6 - 1:40 am

  So far so good. The only problem Ive had with the vehicle so far is an intermittent problem with the computer performance module. It has had to be reprogrammed three times. When problems arise it starts to buck and idle rough when cold...