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:

• 

  Isuzu Acender...poor mans enovy - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Othello - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding Drive! Lots of space!

• 

  I love my Ascender - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By mom of teens - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have only had my Ascender for a couple of weeks, but I love this SUV. The options available are far better than the Trailblazer, plus the warranty and price cant be beat. I like the 2- tone exterior and the 6 CD changer in the dash. I love the sun roof and the computer. The V8 was also worth the extra $600. The kids love the sound systen in the back. The third row seat is easily accessible, too.

• 

  Practical SUV - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Mwidner - December 17 - 3:16 pm

  Good if going to use the "utility" part of SUV, otherwise buy a car. Lots of room to haul stuff, adequate power and great on hills and in snow.

• 

  Lovin the Axiom - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jballenger - December 8 - 2:00 am

  What a pleasure to drive. I testdrove the Pathfinder, the Highlander, the Escape, etc and none of them can compare to the driving experience of the Axiom.

• 

  Great look and great ride - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Tarun Ghosh - December 2 - 4:30 pm

  I am still learning about this car. I bought the 5 passenger. I got two kids and so I am still thinking to go to dealership and request for an exchange to a 7 seater. This car is as good as TrailBlazer and Envoy but I got more options in the same price.

• 

  Impressive SUV - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By gunter - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I have been test driving SUVs for the past 6 months and had decided on the Acura MDX. A friend suggested I check out the Isuzu Ascender. After driving both vehicles and comparing styling, cargo area, passenger comfort and overall value, the Ascender has won me over. It is a much better looking vehicle than the MDX both inside and out. I felt more comfortable driving the Ascender (I am 5ft 2, 118 lbs) and I can actually carry other adults in the third row. The gas mileage is better on the MDX, but the MDX lacks the style and comfort of the Ascender.

• 

  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!

• 

  sporty economic import fun - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jeff Samples - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I am very suprised. I have been looking for a mid-size SUV for my wife for some time now and we have had our Isuzu for a week now and our very excited. I sale pre-owned vehicles for a living and have never been in a vehicle that rode as efficient as this one. Its not the biggest and the best. But its the best value for the $.

• 

  Great SUV - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kinte - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I work at a car Dealership, and I have always liked the style of these vechiles, and it is also one of the more smoother riding mid-sized Suvs. We have 7 different franchises here and this is one of the best. Isuzu has done a great job with this vechile.

• 

  Losing Some Paint - 2007 Isuzu Ascender
  By Tom - November 25 - 10:26 pm

  After almost a year of ownership, overall I really like the vehicle. It handles the snow well and the ride is very good for an SUV. There is a problem of the paint getting blasted off on the flairs in front of the rear wheels.