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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  AC Compressor and Cruise Control - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By grockford - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I, like a previous reviewer, need a new AC compressor. AC compressor went 1500 miles out of warranty. Cruise control also engages itself when the car is running primarly at a speed less than 20 mph, and they can not find the problem. Had a 97 rodeo prior to this one and never had any problems with it even when it got to 90,000 miles.

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  2002 rodeo s - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gizmosfriend - February 23 - 9:33 am

  Bought used with low miles, plan jane suv 4 cyl and 5 speed manual with ac, it never let me down. I have taken it across country 2 times in hot weather and it ran cool and ac worked fine, I got about 27-28 mpg on the trips. The only thing Ive done to it is put a battery and a k and n air filter on it in 4 years. It just runs and runs.

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  Think Twice - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Airell Jacoby - December 10 - 11:26 am

  Bought used in 3/05 & had problems right away. Fuel gauge broken, ABS light always on, rear lights all messed up, & hard down-shifting. All were fixed at the dealerships expense at the tune of $800.00! I have replaced rear wiring harnesses & sway bar links for $300.00. Was told by great garage of unusual 1/2-inch sludge on transmission magnet ... very bad sign of huge transmission problem. This was discovered while in the shop for a new solenoid. Seems like problem after problem. Shame, because its a roomy, fast ride. Seats are hard and the spare squeaks all the way down the road on the back tailgate. Would not recommend. Not worth the money or hassles.

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  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.

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  GOOD FOR 1ST SUV - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By SMALLPAT - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I LIKE THE RODEO. THE INTERIOR COULD BE BETTER.

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  I keep thinking itll get better... - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mkinma7 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  So far this car has been a headache to own. Its noisy cabin is just a start to the myriad of problems I have found with the Isuzu. Problems from paint flaking off of the tires to the radiator cracking during a particuarly cold winter have all added up to many more dollars of repairs than Id like to admit. Each maintenance problem is followed by another large maintenance problem. The deal I originally got when purchasing the car has been long lost with the thousands of dollars required to run it. Never again will I buy an Isuzu.

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  KY Sucker - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By KY Sucker - May 30 - 8:43 am

  We bought the Rodeo just in time for the engine to throw a rod a month after we bought it. We liked everything about it except for that misfortune. Since, we have heard Isuzu engines are prone to problems. I am disappointed in Isuzu for not standing behind their product. With so many problems, who will buy their vehicle? NOT ME!

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  Not made for bumpy roads! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By golfbald70 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I love the way it looks after its cleaned and the 6-Disc In dash CD is great. Thats where my admiration for this SUV ends. The suspension BITES! I had a persistent problem with the slip yoke. Isuzu knows admits its an engineering flaw but will not do much to fix it. No recall. The worse thing about this beautiful looking car is that it drinks gas like no bodies business. How about 12-16 mph HIGHWAY for a small V6! And I may be giving it too much credit with those estimates. My next car is going to be a Honda Civic or some hybrid. Thats what this beast has done to me.

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  MONEY PIT!! - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By jnevenson - March 1 - 1:31 am

  We bought our 03 in February 2013. It had 113,XXX miles on it and I fell in love with it. 5 minutes after paying for it, it died going down the highway! We baought a brand new transmission and had it put it, and have taken back atleast once a month because it keeps sliping. Then the fuel pump went out, and the day the fuel pump was fixed, the transmission went out again. After owning it for 7 months, we have put more money into keeping it running than what we paid for it in the first place. I LOVE this car, (WHEN IT RUNS!!) but after sinking every penny we had and after being stranded on the road multiple times with my children, we are just taking a loss and selling for anything we can get.

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  Mediocre - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By buckeyescott - February 1 - 10:00 am

  For the price, this was not a bad buy. Got a 0.9% int rate too. Not the best vehicle, but also not the worst that Ive owned. I had more problem with a 96 Ford Explorer than with this Rodeo.