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:

• 

  You get what you pay for. - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Iceman75 - May 6 - 12:03 am

  Good looking vehicle. Dings very easily. Exhaust rattles likes its coming loose. This happened when it was a year old. Windows fuse is blown, so the windows are stuck in the up position. Rear windshield wiper doesnt work any more either. No idea why. Looking forward to selling it and buying a Mercedes M Class. Got to admit, I got this at a great price with 0% financing.

• 

  Great Truck, Not Great Dealer - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Mass01532 - May 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a solid, good looking truck, feels very safe esp. in bad weather. Got a $32K truck for $21K. Lots of room, great sound system, great ride. Interior bits (carpet) could be better quality. Exterior paint chips kind of easily. The dealer service is really poor. Every single trip made to troubleshoot an issue required a second trip back since they didnt have a part.

• 

  Did I get a lemon? - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By johnq - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Trooper. Does everyone have good reliability with these vehicles except me? Had to have the auto transmission replaced at 41K - warranty (a $4000 job). Had to have engine manifold valve gaskets replaced. Vehicle has shut off twice while driving down the road. I have heard of others having these problems, but most seem to have no problems. Strange, wonder if all these bad ones were made the same week. At least I still have 20K left on the warranty.

• 

  Nice - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Durkk82 - April 5 - 2:23 pm

  I just bought this suv and I love it, but the fuel gauge does not work. The motor has a slight knocking sound. Over all its a very nice car, it looks good and rides great. So really I have no complaints.

• 

  2002 Isuzu Axiom - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By gretchensanchez - April 1 - 10:00 am

  In my experience having owned and used the vehicle for two years now, I have found the following. The interior color selections of camel/black interior is too light shows dirt and wear quickly. The backseat cargo conversion is cumbersome. You have to move the front seats forwards, remove backseat headrests, pull lower portion of seat forward and then back seat will fold down. In addition I have found that the exterior is extremely easy to ding scratch/dent. We have also experienced a number of problems with the braking system.

• 

  best liitle SUV ever! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By aquarianstag70 - March 31 - 9:16 am

  i got this little monster 2 1/2yrs ago with 52000miles on it and still loving it since that very day i took this out from the dealership. its really fun to drive and good looking SUV. took it for 1300miles long drive and there was never been a problem. looks a little bit deceiving coz size-wise its smaller, but with a 3.2 V6 engine somebody will eat my little monsters dusts. did all the maintenance by myself from oil change, air filters, sparkplugs, coolant and tire rotations and everything works perfect. the gas mileage ratio is just 18miles a gal, but who cares about it if youre loving it. ill keep this little monster the next 3 years.

• 

  soft top review - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Derek P. - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I really like the feel of the open rode with my 2002 soft top Isuzu Rodeo Sport. The fuel economy is great, the ride is a little bumpy, the only problem is it takes over 5 minutes to take off all of the back windows to lower the top. Also putting the windows back on is not an easy chore, especially if you are caught in a rain stortm, other than that, I like the vehicle.

• 

  Real SUV no crossover! - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By OHIO BOY - March 25 - 1:13 pm

  If you want a real SUV this a great car. The mileage is not great but it is a big SUV . Brakes are a problem on this SUV . The heat builds up and takes out the rotors. Put the better rotors on it.

• 

  excellent until recently - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By alan75 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased new; within first year had oxygen sensor replaced twice. i babied this suv, but at 57k miles transmission went out while driving. no prior warning signs. other than that, no problems. suspension is poor; no available options for improvement. i tried to upgrade standard shocks but no others are manufactured. standard shocks are very poor/insufficient. very spacious cargo area, i have been amazed at what i have been able to haul inside it. back seats fold forward to create ample cargo area.

• 

  satisfied - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By glewis - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Having owned 3 previous Isuzus I knew what to expect in the 2004 Rodeo. It hasnt changed in years and I was looking to take advantage of lower interest rates, remaining trade-in value and rebates to get into a new version. I like a no-frills 4-door dependable, logical sport utility I can take to the country as well as haul stuff around town. Ive always been satisfied with the Isuzu product.