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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  Rodeo LS - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By CWS - November 14 - 10:00 am

  A fun to drive, dependable SUV. Enjoy driving, very comfortable and a great CD system. Very good exterior and interior finish. Same quality as the Honda that we traded in on the Rodeo. Very little maintenance has kept the operating cost low.

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  Axiom I love it - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By baldo - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I looked for an SUV type vehicle for months. The Axiom styling caught my eye. I love this vehicle. It has just the right mix of luxury options, and standard features.

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  Isuzu Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By justme30 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I had this Rodeo 2000 LS 4x4 V6 3.2L manual since three years now, and 76,000 miles (mainly long rides on the hiways). They had to change some kind of bearings in the lower part of the engine, and I had to have the alternator replaced. Nothing else. But if you have this SUV, make sure you change the 4 original shocks for the Edelbrock hi-performer shocks. And make sure to verify the engine oil level frequently. It has been mostly reliable (for the price). Actually, for the price, it is a cute (exterior), roomy, and overall good SUV. But I didnt appreciate the cheap interior, especially the dash board material and the front seats confort.

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  my review - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By DCALLEN - November 13 - 10:43 pm

  We have loved our Axiom ever since we purchased it. Its perfect for our family of four. It handles and drives well. We had a Rodeo before the Axiom and loved our Rodeo as well.

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  Never Again!! - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By bamaboy36863 - November 11 - 1:00 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems. First year we had it, AC motor went out and it took over a week to repair. Blower motor will start to weaken when AC runs for an extended period of time. Third year, speakers in rear and left front began working intermittently or not at all. At the same time the front passenger, rear driver side and hatch locks have worked intermittently. Both underneath panels under front seats where seat adjusters are located have broken loose due to inferior construction. We are NOT rough on this vehicle at all and it has not held up "cosmetically". Engine-wise, no problems, yet.

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  GOOD AND CHEAP - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By ALAN CHARLES - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I FOUND IT TO BE THE BEST VALUE FOR ME 25% OFF STICKER 0%FOR 6 YEARS NO FRONT MONEY

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  TOD PROBLEMS ARE EXPENSIVE - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Jon - November 2 - 3:53 pm

  I purchased my Axiom on 11/26/2001. At the time I was attracted by the zero percent financing and nice look of the body style. The vehicle drinks gas like an elephant. 12.2 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. This is terrible for a six cylinder. The tires are Goodyears and are terrible. They do not corner well and are terrible on the highway. If you are foolish enough to buy this vehicle do yourself a favor and change the tires right away. The sensors for the TOD are expensive and mine went after 37 months. I still owe $9,000.00 on the vehicle and already Im putting big money into it. It only has 30,000 miles on it. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Too bad Isuzu stopped making the Rodeo - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By briantwomey - October 25 - 5:37 am

  I bought this new in 2000. It now has 125K miles and purs like a kitten. Feels the bumps in the road more than some other SUVs and thats because the Rodeo was built on a truck frame. I understood this when I bought it. The Rodeo came with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Try to find that today. You may get a 5 year 100K mi but nobody wants to go 10 years. Other than the usual maintenance wear and tare stuff my Isuzu had been great. I think this year Ill replace the sound system and look for some new rims. It has great reaction and control and also great pick-up.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By taylor - October 25 - 5:26 am

  The ride is bumpy, front seat does not go back far enough from the steering wheel. My rodeo is one of the recalls for the undercarriage. Part of the frame that supports the tire underneath broke off, the vehicle started to rock as though i was in a tornado or caught in a wind storm. i lost control nearly had a wreck someone or myself could have been hurt or killed. I was told that Isuzu have gone out of business and I am responsible for the repairs. Any suggestions.

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  Review - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By John Tucker - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Poor gas mileage, especially in city traffic. Lots of wind noise with windows open.