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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  isuzu Axm xs - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kenn - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very strong engine, fast, responsive, plenty of room for 5 adult passengers.

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  isuzu Axm xs - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By KenN - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very strong engine, fast, responsive, plenty of room for 5 adult passengers.

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  Solid and Reliable - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By morose - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Have had 2wd v-6 manual version for over five years and 100K miles with no problems. Fun to drive and practical for family and camping. Suspension does just fine for winding dirt roads, even with 2wd.

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  Still truckin - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By HamSandwich - November 29 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my Trooper new in April 03 and have loved the experience other than the transmission had to be replaced at least 3 times. Since they put a rebuilt tranny in each time the dealer said that you never know how the quality would be. Luckily Ive had the warranty and will definitely get rid of the truck when it hits 120,000 miles although I would have preferred to keep it longer. I dont like the way it burns oil either.

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  Burns oil - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Frank - November 17 - 3:53 pm

  We bought the trooper used. It runs just great. The problem is it Burns about a quart of oil each tank full of gas. Looked on the Internet after we bought it, tears and found the 1998 and 1999 troopers have an oil burning problem.

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  2002 Izusu Axiom - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kulhand57 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I really like this vehicle compared to my last one(2002 Pontiac Grand Prix) I know that is comparing apples to oranges but oh well. I have drive the nissan xterra and pathfinder, but I felt this truck had a more smooth ride to it.

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  Lovin It! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By orion - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I just got a 2003 Axiom after researching and test driving a number of other SUVs. For the money there is nothing even close. Take the unique, exotic styling, add the top-end leather package, and torque-on-demand AND four-wheel drive modes, and its just amazing. I picked mine up for well under thirty thousand. To get an SUV with a leather package anywhere else puts you into the mid-thirties. Mine is black with chrome everything and looks like a true luxury SUV. I couldnt be happier! Plus, nobody has them...just makes it that much cooler to drive.

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  Lovin It! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Orion - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I just got a 2003 Axiom after researching and test driving a number of other SUVs. For the money there is nothing even close. Take the unique, exotic styling, add the top-end leather package, and torque-on-demand AND four-wheel drive modes, and its just amazing. I picked mine up for well under thirty thousand. To get an SUV with a leather package anywhere else puts you into the mid-thirties. Mine is black with chrome everything and looks like a true luxury SUV. I couldnt be happier! Plus, nobody has them...just makes it that much cooler to drive.

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  NO MORE BIRDS! (for dinner that is...) - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Yabbadabbadoit - September 29 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is neat because it is different from others. However, I have to say I am sick of reading how awsome it handles, like a car. This toaster, that was wrongly named "Axiom" blows all over the road with the slightest gust. It does pull my boat, witch is nice. Too bad my boat is easier to drive in a straight line. If you dont let it warm up, it hessitates, even backfires. maybe I got a dud who knows. My advice, go with a different manufacturer.

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  Fun, nice, but big time $$$ to drive - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Michael - September 16 - 1:00 pm

  Nice suv, I liked it from the moment I saw it but...