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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  Initial Review - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Ken B - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I was a little leery of the Trooper because of the professional reviewers claim of tremendous body roll on turns. It certainly does not handle like a car, but it did not roll any more than my old Windstar (which I would NOT buy again). Drive is very soft, cannot feel the road, which is good and bad.

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  Best little car/truck - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By sandi - September 27 - 9:03 pm

  Super great car/truck - wider than most in this class feels like larger suv. Handles great, fun in the sun when the back comes down but you feel the safety with the front being a solid roof. Gas mileage is a downer. Blind spots are a problem. Needs a light near the ignition too. Have gone off road a few times and have had a blast. Highly recommend.

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  The good and bad - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By D Lee - September 24 - 10:00 am

  The LS 4WD does quite well off road and on the highway. It dies ride like a truck. The seats are not quite as compfortable as I would expect for the price. I have several areas where the paint is blistering on the front of the hood. Lastly it is depreciating faster than I can pay it off.

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  No vinegar, lots of oil! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Patrick - September 22 - 11:36 am

  I bought mine used in WI in 07 for $8K with 75K miles, now have 140K, hoping to make it to 250K. Recently replaced starter and timing belt. Truck-like ride and capability - no snow bank or towing job is a challenge. Huge cargo area ideal for 2 dogs and frequent Home Depot trips. Well appointed: massive sun roof, 6-CD, TOD, heated review mirrors. I MUST change oil every 3K miles and only get 15 MPG. Doesnt burn oil, just drinks a lot. Top heavy. Timeless exterior styling and one small repairable rust spot on back door. Been very pleased overall - this is a "guys SUV" - a beast lacking nimble handling but a reliable workhorse. Perfect for winter states, boat or "sled" owners.

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  Its better than the Editors think - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Richard Hall - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I am 53, a car enthusiast and race. Owned Jeeps for years and go off road. The editors rating seems inconsisent. We paid $22000 for a new 2003 with 2004s at $24500. A Kia Sorento came close but Jeeps etc very over priced in comparison Keep the tires at 26 lb and ride is fine. No p[roblems with steering and room for 6fter. Controls are intuitive and simple to use. Our latest easy higway run at 70 mph resulted in 23 mpg I expect overall use to be 20 mpg or 4 pm better than our Jeep. I am a Certified Financial Planner professional and believe long term costs willb e lower than buying a 2 or 3 year old Jeep. I think the Axiom is a great value.

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  Been Great - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Bandit - September 5 - 2:23 pm

  When I bought this SUV in 2005, I was actually looking for a Nissan Xterra. But I got way more for my money with the Rodeo. It has over 100,000 miles on it now and is just been great! It has the 3.5 direct injection v6 and this has to be the most powerful in its class. the only problem is it has always used a little oil since dat one, but if you are aware of this and keep an eye on it, it will never cause you grief. Overall,the car is great you wont be disappointed, except by maybe the gas mileage, which is to be expect on any SUV.

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  Still Going! - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By smeeks1 - September 3 - 3:26 am

  I have 118,000 miles and weve been through a lot together! When I first purchased it (had 15k miles) it had an engine switch problem, dealer had to have it towed in to repair. At about 90,000 miles I experienced electrical issues with my AC, I have to jiggle it for it to be extra cold. This does use a lot of oil for some reason, I change it religiously 2800 miles. This is my first car, I think its very easy to handle. I whip it around quite easily and never get that "tipping" feeling. The design still looks pretty good for an 8yr old car. I plan on keeping my rodeo until it dies and I dont think thats anytime soon. I would recommend it overall. Its really fun to drive, great visibility too!

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  A comfortable Tank and Fun - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By skylandry - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I traded my Toyota Crew Cab for comfort but didnt want to giveup a great 4wd. The trooper met all my needs. It is great off road and very comfortable on long trips. If it had a pickup bed it would be perfect. If you want a true rough and tough SUV that looks fancy and is comfortable look no further.

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  ITS A GAMBLE... - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By ROD S. - August 22 - 4:06 am

  It had 50k on it when I bought it used in 2006, ABS was out already, but I have no problem stopping in regular or normal Winter conditions, I have added cold air intake to increase mpg/power. 205 hp/217tq are not impressive #s but it feels a lot torquier than that. I believe I bought a good one (except ABS thing) but Buyer Beware theres badly built ones out there. ISUZU didnt build consistently.

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  You could do much worse - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By KingMikey - August 20 - 11:23 am

  Honestly, I had this car for 7 years and 105K before my wife totaled it last week and with the exception of an AC compressor a year or two ago, the vehicle was flawless. I towed a 3500lb boat and it was perfect. Even with the 2WD model the limited slip system never got me stuck at a boat ramp or anywhere else. And it always had plenty of power to tow that boat. Fuel efficiency was always a problem whether towing or not though.