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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  No problems!! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By raven166 - February 13 - 7:20 am

  I have had my black Rodeo LS for 5 years now. All I have had to do was buy new tires. And that was because after 5 years all tires need replacing. My Rodeo still looks and runs the same as when I bought it. I have never had a problem with this vehicle and I am very happy that I chose to buy it! It has been worth every penny. I am sorry they quit making them because I would buy another one. I will keep it forever. I might even buy a used one someday to have another one. They are so reliable, I never worry on the road that my Rodeo will break down on me or not start. I really do love it!!

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  50000 Miles and no complaints - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By OE - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems other than a bad ABS sensor that was replaced under warranty.

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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.

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  2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD - Ironman - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By twistlock - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I checked-out the Nissan X-Terra, Jeep Cherokee and Isuzu Rodeo. Surprisingly the Rodeo was the best blend of off- road and asphalt performance. No problems in almost 3 yrs of ownership. I believe only 2 safety advisories (not 100% recalls) for the 2000 model yr. Great value and low-maintenance (so far)!

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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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  Just get one - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Artman5x5 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I was leasing a 2000 Honda Passport (Rodeo)and enjoyed the truck. The lease was coming to an end and I was looking at getting another but I wanted to buy not lease. I had spent about 2 months shopping around and comparing other SUVs and for the money, ride and equipment nothing came close to the Axiom. The SUVs that came close to what I was looking for were the new Nissan Murano and GMC Envoy but costing between 3,000 and 5,000 dollars more for a similarly equiped Axiom was not worth it.

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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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  Great vehicle - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By libralady - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We love this Trooper. Sad they dont make them like this any more. We have the limited style that comes standard with a huge sun roof. Great for cargo, long trips, or just tooling around. The bad thing is the paint on the bottom molding scratches too easy, but that is our only complaint. It gets about 16mpg, but thats sort of standard for SUVs. Good vehicle and in two years and 46k miles, not one ping of trouble!

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  Trooper - built like a tank! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By MTN MBA - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Formerly owned Pathfinder & Jeep - both too expensive and uni-body now. Isuzus are under-rated/valued. Great buy used - 1/2 the $ of Toyotas, but equal w/more power, options. I regularly hit AZ mtns and Mexican beaches hauling SCUBA, biking gear - 40k trouble-free miles. Edmunds raters dog them because of "truck" feel, but thats what SUVs are about - not a station wagon! 3.5L V-6 is strong, reliable. Isuzu should update Trooper w/V-8 option for todays market and re-introduce. Will buy another when the time comes.

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  What Quality Improvement? - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jayhawkboy - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Honda supposedly improved Isuzus quality issues in the late 90s. Either Honda didnt teach well, or Isuzu didnt listen. Incredible number of little things started going wrong after one year. Hood latch broke. Rear glass loose. Body panels rattling. EGR vale, fuel filter, replaced twice. Engine stall. Door hinges replaced. On and on. Some warranty items, most not. Never buy an Isuzu.