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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  Buyer Beware - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Buyerbeware - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Rodeo in the shop a dozen times. The drive shaft and airbag had to be repaired 4 times each. It had begun to rattle and squeak badly. This, by the way, is not a warranty item after a year the dealer tells me. Unfortunatly, what started out as a great bargain has turned out to be a bad deal on my part. No wonder Isuzus sales slipped over 40% last year.badly. Which, by the way, is not a warranty item after a year the dealer tells me. Unfortunalty, what started out as a great bargain has turned out to be a bad deal on my part. No wonder Isuzus sales slipped over 40% last year.

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  I hate this car!!!! - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By pesystems - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I had to have the clutch replaced at 22000! I have driven stick shift cars for over 15 years, and never had a clutch go out that fast. My 96 GMC Somona was a 5 speed; had over 120,000K - and I traded for this crap! This truck rides horribly - you feel each and every bump. The original stereo was a piece of crap. Its had at least 4 recalls. It does get very good can mileage - about 20 MPG. The worst thing about this car is the devaluation! My car was purchased for about $19,500 in 1999. The car is currently in Outstanding condition, but is only worth about $5000 per Edmunds & Carmax - so Im stuck with a car that Im about $2000 upside down on.

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  Dont be fooled - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Napertucktim - October 17 - 10:00 am

  The Isuzu warranty isnÂ’t worth the paper itÂ’s written on. 3/50 doesnÂ’t cover major brake components (not talking about pads) along with many other parts and 10/120 appears to be a joke. Dealership lied about warranty and build quality is sub-par at best. Isuzu customer service is horrible and will not stand behind their product and will blame dealer for problems. Buy a Subaru or spend a little more to get a quality vehicle because low price reflects poor quality and reliability at Isuzu.

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  Total Lemon of a Car - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Suckered in NC - September 27 - 10:00 am

  This has been the worst car I have ever owned. Two weeks after I purchased the car new, the gas pedal broke. The next thing that broke was the lever used to recline the drivers seat. At 48,868 miles (11/02), the ABS module went bad. At, 55,886 miles, the intake gaskets on the engine are leaking which is causing the 3rd cyclinder to misfire. Additionally, the AC compressor is going bad and the sending unit in the fuel system is bad causing the feul light to blink continously and the gas needle to stay on empty. DONT BUY IZUZU IF YOU WANT VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!!!!

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  Think twice before you buy! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By M. PERRINE - April 13 - 3:06 pm

  Within the 1st month of buying my 2002 Isuzu Axiom the A/C fan motor went out. Now two years later it has happened three times. The rear shocks are now being replaced, the fog lights have blown two times, the brake lights have gone out once, there has been a rattling noise in the engine for about six months, and now the display screen has started to black out. Not to mention the fact that the car depreciated over 50% within the 1st year of ownership which has forced me to keep it even though it always seems to be in the shop. Think TWICE before you buy this one!

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  Many, many problems - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By unknown - February 20 - 1:50 am

  Ive had this SUV for about 4 years and it has less than 100k miles on it (only 28K being put on by me). I would never buy another Isuzu. The following has gone out or been replaced: gas gauge stopped working, front and back brakes and drums replaced, in dash CD player rebuilt after eating my CDs, rebuilt the transmission, all four tires, shocks, air conditioning compressor, and the water pump. It was in the shop 3 months ago with a bill over over $1,000. Theres now something wrong with the anti lock brakes as the car keeps shimmying when I apply the brakes. It rattles and squeaks all the time. A great SUV if you want to repair it yourself.

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  Rodeo no more - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jumper79 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Poor dealer service, poor follow up from regional rep - could not correct a performance problem after repeated trys. Missing consistently after 50K miles, clutch going out at 60K, three recalls so far. Dealer mechanic broke off PCV during recall timing belt change and then hid problem. I will never buy an Isuzu again.

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  Only the Beginning! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By EC - January 14 - 2:00 am

  After taking the Rodeo back to the dealer 5 times in last 19 months (first time after the first 27 days!) for the same problem in the front wheels, the problem was finally diagnosed by an outside mechanic- wheel bearings! However, the problem has caused significant wear and cupping of tires (20000 miles on vehicle) and while driving, loss of brakes. All of this could have been avoided if thorough checks would have been made! The Rodeo is definitely a gas hog-16 mpg! And the engine pinging-another problem that started in the first month of ownership! Not to mention the depreciation. What a mistake!! No wonder they give a 120000 mile powertrain warranty!

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  Never again - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By muttleyrules - December 2 - 2:00 am

  We start with nine recalls, THEN fuel sending unit died, moonroof frozen open, CD player ate CDs (twice), brakes went, alternator went, EGR valve clogged (all this was in the first 60K miles), lousy service and about 3000 bucks worth of repairs in the past nine months (not including tires and battery). Incidentally, 30/60K and misc servicing was done yet no one noticed any problems. Seats are uncomfortable and if the tilt wheel is down you cannot see all the idiot lights, which is handy because this thing lights up like July 4th. Alas, it technically is not a lemon, but it should be!

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  An Amigo by any other name... - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By scathma - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Ever like how a car looks but HATE the way it drives? Thats how I feel about my Amigo/Rodeo Sport. I think the design is great, but definitely less than the sum of its parts. On paper, the car has impressive hardware but the execution is poor. The resale value is terrible! My 2000 Amigo depreciated from $22K to $12K in 20 months! The ride is harsh, atrocious 14 mpg city, rear visibility blocked by tire/rear seat headrests, seats are uncomfortable, driver legroom is tight, factory sound system poor, and rear end hops around on bumps - dangerous when it happens on curves. Whatever you call it, its not a very good buy. I would not buy another Isuzu product.