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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  I would buy a second one!!! - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By sanabu - November 21 - 4:13 pm

  It is a real shame that Isuzu will no longer offer personal automobiles as of January 1, 2009. My 2005 Ascender Limited is probably one of the best buys I have completed based on value and acquisition. I wrote my first review on this car on 6/05. I liked the car then and now I just love it. 72000 miles later the truck still has that new feel. When it was brand new the radio broke and it was fixed by the dealer promptly. Other than that just standard maintenance. Everything works on this SUV. Last time I rated the mileage as a 5. Now Im rating it as a 7 as the truck will usualy do between 18 to 20 miles per gallon which is not bad for the size of truck that I am driving. No complaints.

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  Best SUV you will ever own! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Luc - November 17 - 8:03 pm

  4 years and the only repair was a tuning light bulb! Replace the factory Good Years and the ride quality will improve. I got a set of Pirelli Scorpion ATR - 80 miles/hour and you can hear only a little wind noise! Gas mileage is average, but OK for an SUV - I will say better than most SUVs with same engine size. If you are looking for a used SUV, this will beat by far any other used SUV available in value/reliability/price!

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  What a vehicle.. - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Scott Adams - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This car can be summed up in one word. EXCELLENT. When people ask me to describe it, I tell them to imagine that a Volvo and a Hummer had a baby. You couldnt ask for more standard features.

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  Great Suv - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By tyler - November 12 - 2:00 am

  My dad gave me this as my first truck, like any other kid yeah i drove the heck out of it. Nothing major has ever went wrong with this car and i do run the heck out of it. Isuzu however did swap the engine for us because right at 70 thousand miles, it would consume a lot of oil and we would have to add it every 500. Known problem i have read about that problem a lot. Does great off roading ( doesnt mean you can go threw a mud pit ) but it will get you back to the trails. excellent in snow this truck goes threw a lot you wouldnt think it. Tows great, Ive pulled a big f150 right out of the mud before. aftermarket stereo installed, cold air intake, magna flow exhaust, tint , hid lights,

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  Overall an "A" - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Larry B - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my Rodeo Sport for all the right reasons. I wanted the power of the V6 but better responsiveness than a sluggish larger type SUV. I feel it combines the best of both worlds.

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  EXCELLENT - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By candleshow - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. All of the features I was looking for are included and the price was great! I could not have found a better SUV for the same price.

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  Axiom = More for your money - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Brian3B - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Cant beat the luxury-like appearance/feel for the money. 100 times nicer than the rodeo, and i got it cheaper! V-6 outruns just about every other SUV out there -- very responsive. handles very well, looks great, drives very good... dont believe all of those harsh reviews out there-- test drive one! the warranty backs it up!

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  Great Price, Great Ride - No Regrets! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By pbsoko - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been lookin for a Trooper for over a month; never was able to track one down because they would be sold within a few days of being at a dealership. Now I know why! These are excellent trucks. 4x4 TOD system rocks. Tackle anything really tough just shift to 4L and go for it. I have the luxury model. I would recommend the luxury model to everyone; it is really worth the extra bucks. The moonroof is huge, twice the size of a regular one. Engine performance is great. Regular driving on highway at 80 is nice & quiet & smooth. Gas mileage is as with any SUV, dont expect it to run on water; you can switch to 2WD which allows you to add a few MPG.

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  Blown Engine - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Kris Davis - October 14 - 9:23 pm

  Bought this vehicle brand new at the dealership. I got 13-15mph from day 1, no matter how I drove it. About 3 months ago, the low oil light came on. I immediately pulled over, checked the level, and added 4 quarts to bring it to full. For a 5 quart engine, to warn with only 1 quart in the engine is just a little too little. Since that day, I checked the engine every time I started it up for the day and had the oil pan gasket replaced. The engine started making a rapping noise on the day the oil got that low. Since then it has gotten worse and worse. The mechanic told me that it was just the lifters making a little noise. Yesterday the engine seized while driving. Not happy!

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  good so far - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By edf100 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  only had a short time but seems real solid.as a previous owner of 61 other vehicles I am more than qualified to give a realistic view.I have owned most sport utes including 4 grand cherokee v8s,4 runners,land cruisers,blazers and many others.feels light and agile compared to american sport utes and gas milage is at least 20% better.