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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  Nice look...rodeo sport - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By patvette - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Soft top back window and side windows hhave to be removed to put top down...this is a pain, they are hard to put back in. Sporty look makes it look like a more expensive vehicle....nice look 6 CD changer sounds real good Gas milage stinks...city avg. 14 mpg, highway 19mpg. A little noisy, tire nosie destracting. Moon roof hard to get off and on...very heavy for a female to manage by herself and Im not a wimpy female.

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  7 years and still going strong - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Frankie - May 11 - 1:16 pm

  Bought it new 8/02. Seven years, 60k miles now. Regular maintenance service (oil changes,air filter). Replaced the s-belt myself @ 45k miles. No other service. New BF Goodrich tires @ 50k miles.On the way to tire dealer, just to see what power this 6cyl had I held the brake, put the pedal to the floor, slowly released the brake and smoked the tires for 200 ft. Avg 18.1 mpg since day one. Havent reset since I bought it. Too bad Isuzu pulled out of US. I definitely would have bought another by now. Traded in a 97 Rodeo (bought new, had 137000 miles on it in 5 years, zero repairs) for this one.

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  Big Mistake! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Josh - May 7 - 2:26 pm

  I bought this car used at an affordable price. Now I know why it was so affordable. Once the fuel gauge gets below 3/4 tank, it constantly floats down to empty and back. Im never really sure how much gas I have. The check engine light comes on constantly and my mechanic says its an exhaust problem. The 4 wheel drive only works some of the time, other times it kicks itself out of gear and makes a horrible grinding noise. Also, the handle to make the passenger seat recline will not stay on, and the front speakers blew after I had the car for 6 months (I dont even listen to the radio much).

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  cross country - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By paul medolo - May 7 - 10:43 am

  we went 7100 miles in 3weeks we were very comfortable and covered 21 states we would recomend this vehicle to anyone!

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  Fun to drive! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By costrike - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive! The pickup is great and the car really handles well. The small size makes this a great car to drive in traffic.

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  Great SUV! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By RDGBKS27 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Axiom for 2 weeks now and I love it! It has great speed and so many extras.

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  I Love My Isuzu - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Deb - May 1 - 1:20 pm

  I previously owned a 96 Rodeo and loved it, but I now adore the luxury and reliability of my Ascender. I rarely need the 4 wheel drive because it just plows through almost anything! It is so comfortable with the electric driver seat, audio system, great ride, quiet and enjoyable, roomy - definitely a step up in luxury from my Rodeo. Cargo space easy to get to, back lift gate easy to use, exterior handsome and easy care. Gas mileage same as Rodeo. I hope it is as reliable as my Rodeo was. It had no problems and body was excellent shape after 10 years. Hope GMC put same quality into the Ascender. I DO LOVE THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER!

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  BEST MID SIZE SUV EVER - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gsxkid - April 27 - 7:10 pm

  I have the 3.5 direct injected motor. It has plently of power without hurting fuel mileage. My wife drives 85 miles to and from work everyday and it gets 24 mpg. I took it down the 1/4 mile track for fun and it run a 14.88@90 mph. I have taken it camping 1 time I went off road with it; it did great, I even pulled an 07 hummer h3 out of the mud. JUST GREAT SUV.

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  A Lucky One? - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dpgull - April 27 - 5:13 pm

  I pray I continue to get a clean slate...Had an Amigo loved that, and now seemed to get a realy nice low mile LSE with no engine knock and all parts still together, they sure did take care of this one, and due to the fact they depriciate so fast and hard, could not find a better deal for the money anywhere. Do your homework and really check them out before you buy, they are not all lemons

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  Never let me down - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By objective owner - April 27 - 10:10 am

  This car serves its purpose of getting me to the mountains or on long freeway trips. I dont see it as an in-town car and dont use it much for that. I can easily drive it 16 hours straight without discomfort, so not sure why others complain about comfort. Even mountain driving has averaged 20-22 mpg, so again not sure why others get bad mileage. Its not a love affair, but Ive had no repairs and it does what its supposed to do. Granted, a set of Michelin cross track tires smoothed and silenced the highway ride like I could not believe. No rattles yet, and everything works. Compared to my Honda Accord, it has been a charm reliability wise -- no living at the dealership.