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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  Suitable for a Millionaire - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Allen - October 4 - 7:03 pm

  I looked at the Rodeo because a millionaire friend of mine loved his. I test drove it and loved it. It has been unbelievably reliable and trouble free. It has 55,000 miles in 2 1/2 years and runs like new. I havent put a dime into it.

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  Better than a Blazer - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Fezzmo - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I owned a Blazer prior to buying the Rodeo. The Rodeo is faster, more solid, more agile, and it goes better in the snow. I drive over 30K a year and I have had only one mechanical problem that required service. I will have over 70K by December 03. I get 20 miles per gal. so I dont understand other peoples issues w/ gas milage. The auto does "spark knock" on low octane fuel when the engine is strained (pulling a hill), but it does not create a mechanical problem. However, the 205HP engine does fine. I was surprised to see this auto rated below an 8 overall.

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  Happy Camper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By ridgerunner1 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Good room for a mid-size. Great throttle response and power but if you want to tow anything above 2000# you should look at something with a v-8 as mileage drops in half. Better in every way than same year four runner or pathfinder and still has japanese quality. Paid 19.5K with 4800 miles. Depreciation has still been bad. Suspension is mushy around town but libertys, yukons, and denalis cant keep up on washboard roads.

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  I LOVE THIS SUV!!!! - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By drumkey86 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!

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  2001 Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Zd - September 22 - 10:00 am

  2001 Rodeo w/ 60,000 miles, has been nothing short of great for me. Interior looks kind of outdated, gas mileage not too good, but what I would excpect from an SUV

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  Axiom - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By davi - September 21 - 8:26 am

  This is the best SUV on market til 2005, Quality is Isuzus best selling point. I change oil every 7000 miles.

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  What a Vehicle! - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Pearl05 - September 16 - 10:00 am

  We own a 1992 Trooper, and when it came time to purchase another vehicle, we drove them all-Pathfinders, 4runners, Escapes etc. All paths lead back to the 2002 Trooper. We bought it used (14,000 mi)-it runs great, is roomy, sharp-looking and exactly what we need in an SUV-were sorry to see that Isuzu will no longer carry future models. The 1992? Oldest son now drives it. This vehicle will always have special place in my heart!

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  Very Nice - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Douglas - September 15 - 11:06 am

  This has been a pleasant purchase for me. As an owner of only small cars before I was not sure if I would like this vehicle but I have. I have had a few things repaired (all under warranty) and have no real major complaints. Its fun and comfortable to drive but not nearly as stable as a car. I never do anything abrupt for fear of losing control. Excellent in the snow and off road. Has a great stereo. even though it had to be replaced once. Have gone coast to coast with no problems.

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  Better than I Expected - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JPQuick - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Pros- Build quality (rattle free!) Comfort (compliant suspension) Off road capability (4WD, limited slip) Warranty (10 years, 120k on powertrain) Financing (1.9% for 84 months!) Cons- Price / value Cloth upholstery (cheap fabric) Handling Notes- This vehicle provides a tremendous amount of feature content, but at a price. Invoice is about $4k too high. Steering response is probably a little below average for this class, but traction on the mud/snow tires is excellent. Build quality was unexpectedly good. More tightly constructed than my G35. Edmunds needs to re-evaluate this vehicle.

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  Confused Owner - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By Confused Owner - September 12 - 10:36 am

  I bought my 03 Axiom in Dec 08. The first 5 days I fell in love with this vehicle. On the 6th day the transmission started slipping. I thought it was something I was doing. Every time I begin to accelerate my truck would jerk like it didnt want to go. I took it back to the dealership and of course it didnt do the jerk while they drove it. I took it to the service dept. where they supposedly did a transmission flush and it stopped the slipping for awhile. Its back now. I am so frustrated with this vehicle. Im on the verge of taking it back.