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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  Sad to see it go - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By nopvntv - March 16 - 2:00 am

  GREAT VALUE!!! paid 20K for a brand new 4WD with 10 year/120,000 mile warantee. that is 2wd Rav4 territory, and this is a full frame truck with limited slip diff. true 4WD, and 5000lb. tow capacity. 65k so far and reliability has been perfect. Has awsome breaks(compared to other trucks) when towing. suspension is a little soft for my taste but is probably perfect for most drivers. Rear end never side steps even over bumps mid- turn. Not sure what I will buy next time around since this is no longer avail. I will just have to wait and see.

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  2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS 2WD OUTSTANDING SUV! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gunner4life - March 14 - 10:42 am

  I have owned my 01 rodeo half of its life. its been as reliable as a honda should be! it does lack horsepower no doubt. but the v6 does the job! the paint has held up and still looks great. as well as the leather seats! the only thing I can point out is the steel wheels. not a big fan of them! and as far as the recall/ rusted frame, mine has held up! always garaged kept! and hasnt seen salty roads for 6years now so I am sure that helps. mine has 168,000 miles and still running and going strong! I will never sell this SUV! Ive been making improvements as of lately with the new decals and wheel replacement.... I would purchase another rodeo down the road if need be! a 2004 model NEXT TIME....

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  Oil User after 60K - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Trooper Terry - March 8 - 4:06 am

  I love this vehicle except for one thing and that is it uses 1 quart of oil per 500 miles. Isuzu knows there is a problem with their 3.5 liter engines, but wont recall them. After the warranty ends at 60K, they start using a lot of oil. The only solution is to replace the small block, which costs about 2 grand. I figured if I just keep adding oil, it would only cost me about 30 bucks a year. I know there are a lot of posts online about this, but Isuzu will never admit it. I love the vehicle other than the oil usage. I had two Isuzu vehicles in the past with few or any problems, this is the first one, I guess they just tried to catch up with the big U.S. SUV too quickly

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  Give it a chance!! - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Buzzard - March 6 - 10:00 am

  If you dont have one;GET ONE!! Same as Trailblazer & Envoy.Better warranty and price.Same engine,same transmission.If you are considering Chevy or GMC,it would be worth your time to check one out.I have 4 kids.has plenty of room.

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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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  Great SUV - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Hazel - February 27 - 5:26 am

  Quality and reliability all in one great package. This is the 3rd Isuzu Trooper I have owned. Put over 240,000 miles on each of the first two without any problems. This car is wonderfully well designed and thoughtfully engineered. Truly built with all necessary comfort features and designed for off road traveling as well. I know I wont have to worry about unexpected mechanical problems for a long, long time.

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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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  My second Rodeo, just as great!! - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Melanie - February 17 - 9:50 am

  This is my second Rodeo. My first was a 2002 LS. I never had any problem with it. Another driver hit me and I think I would have been killed if I were not in my Rodeo. So I bought another one with the insurance money. This one is newer and has the 3.5L engine, the gray trim, upgraded sound and fog lights. I love it even more than my old one. It has great pick up, great interior. I love the controls for the stereo on the steering wheel. The price was great and it is in perfect condition. I know it will last forever too. My old one never had any problem. These vehicles are such great quality and value and low maintenance that I cant understand why Isuzu quit making them. I love mine!

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  2001 Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Rich1--1--1 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  The trooper has yet to let me down. To bad I cant say that about Isuzu Customer Service and Getting Warranty Work Done. The local dealership, I live in Northeastern Pa, cancelled my appointment for warranty work twice but failed to call me to let me know, I needed a tie rod end.If you call the number for customer support in your vehicle manual they cant and wont help, and there isnt a another dealership within an hours drive.

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  Love My Trooper - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By radixlecti - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the third Trooper I have owned since 1986, and I will drive it until the tires fall off. I have 108,000 miles on it and only have had to replace the oxygen sensor, (50 bucks). All SUVs should be this reliable!