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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  Excellent - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tod - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Not else to say....fun to drive

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  Amazingly Fun and Sporty! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By CowboyBootsie - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Im so glad I have this car! Its great: its a real rough-and-tumble kind of vehicle. Im not afraid to take it into the mountains for skiing or just to load my ocean gear and take it to the beach. It drives like a truck, so its not wimpy like (ahem!) the CRV or the Rav4: and it doesnt have all that froo-froo stuff found in luxury SUVs (i.e. Navigator or Landcruiser) thats catered to family activity. Its a seriously fun vehicle for young, single types.

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  Love my Ascender - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By rbraxton - July 31 - 12:33 pm

  I have not had any problems with my SUV. I now have 38000 miles. I drive my Ascender at highway speeds and I love the ride. When we travel, this is the car that we drive (I also have a Lincoln LS).

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  I Love my Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By paul medolo - July 3 - 2:13 pm

  Simply the best all around vehicle we have ever owned! Isuzu should bring them back into production

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  Love the Rodeo, but... - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By skidude - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with my new Rodeo. It gets a lot of use in the mountains and I am very happy with its off-road performance. The seats are much more comfortable than older models we tested. Roomy, sporty, attractive and useful. The biggest complaint that we have with our Rodeo is that it is next to impossible to get crossbars for the roof rack. The crossbars were taken off by the Isuzu design group due to noise issues, but were not offered at purchase and arent offered by Isuzu as an upgrade or kit. If you plan on using the rack, ask your dealer about it when you purchase your Rodeo to save the headache of trying to add crossbars later on.

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  RODEO - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JUDE - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I REALLY DO LOVE THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GREAT FOR GOING OFF ROAD IN SNOW OR MUD. LAST WINTER WAS ONE OF THE SNOWIER ONES IN CT AND NOT ONCE DID I HAVE TO STAY HOME. INSTEAD WE WENT 4 WHEELING FOR CHRISTMAS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ON NEW YEARS. IF IT WASNT FOR MY RODEO WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SNOWED IN. I ALSO HAVE ROOM FOR 3 TEENAGERS,2 ADULTS, SKIIS, SNOW BOARDS AND CLOTHES. WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN VERMONT!! THE INTERGRATED SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM IS UNBELIEVABLE, THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. IT FEELS LIKE A CAR BUT HANDLES ALL THE VARRIED TERRAIN. ANOTHER FEATURE I LIKE IS THE POWER BUTTON. NOT THAT THIS SUV NEEDS EXTRA POWER BUT IT HELPS IN NJ TRAFFIC.

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  1st Isuzu for me - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By goodnu - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I liked the Isuzu appearance more than its bland competitors. The Axiom is a head-turner with many people asking about it. It is not the cookie-cutter SUV. It is worth the test drive.

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  Great SUV Isuzu Rules - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mbz300sdl - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Well what can i say i have owned two Isuzus a 1990 Trooper that has 199,000 miles and a 1999 Rodeo With 102,000 miles these are great suvs I am only 18 years old and have grown up around cars ranging from Fiats to Mercedes (first car-300SDL). Dont get me wrong im not saying that an Isuzu can equal a Mercedes in anything except price but for the money spent there is not better automoblies avalible.

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  I Love this little SUV - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By chasespeed - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck used with 30k,and now has just under 50.I love it.Great family vehicle, fun to drive, and actually useful, even tow my race car with it, 4k, trailer and car.I have no complaints dealer of manufacturing wise.

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  Solid and capable - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RodeoMike - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I find the build quality to be fine. Not a problem yet. Very capable off road. The interior has been solid. Nothing is made cheaply. Not sure what the editors tested.