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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  the best suv under $50,000 dollars - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By dc4611 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I was set on the mercedes suv or a lexus rx300 .I looked on the web and could not find that much info on the new axiom.After comparing 13 different suvs the choice was clear.It has an excellent ride and great power.230 horses under the hood and 230 ft lbs of torque and it feels like a whole lot more!Not to mention a 10 yr 120,000 mile powertrain warranty that covers almost everything under the hood and axles.

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  timeless - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Ter_94 - May 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2e Rodeo. I Am buying my 3ed right know. the first (93) Rodeo I Installed a tune up, one set of tires & brakes. I sold that car with org. clutch, batttery, muffler. So I thought I would try one more Rodeo . after two years the guy I sold it to called and said it was the best car he ever had. I have 82000 now (98)and I have installed tires and brakes @70000 thats all other than oil. Still have the org. clutch, battery, Ect. I have had a problem once with the ABS but thats it. Its great to buy a car and not have to have it worked on all the time. ( unlike a German car I had worked on every 2 months)

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  Have found the love ONE - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Deux - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Just bought it couple weeks ago after taking a while to do the research and compare between its class and I had come up with the final excellent decision is this SUV. You cant get the same SUV with all the standard features at this price. If you decide to buy one try to get the LSE trim, spend a little more but it worth it. The perfomance is excellent. Ive try on the I-5, it came up to 110mph easily, no problem. Very comfotable drive in the leather seat. I love it!!!

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By jackie - May 15 - 11:56 am

  I did plenty of research and drove about every other van and SUV that was a 7 seater. The Ascender is really a great vehicle. It is very roomy in all rows. It is versatile with folding seats. Storage is better than any other SUV I tried. I have every option on mine and it is really nice and very enjoyable to drive. I had a minivan for 16 years and really am pleased with this change. I still have room for 7 people but it is a whole lot more fun to drive. The gas mileage is not great, but it is not much different than my older van. I get about 16 in the city and I got 19 on my first long trip. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By jackie - May 15 - 4:10 am

  I did plenty of research and drove about every other van and suv that was a 7 seater. The Ascender is really a great vehicle. It is very roomy in all rows. IT is versatile with folding seats. Storage is better than any other SUV I tried. I have every option on mine and it is really nice and very enjoyable to drive. I had a minivan for 16 years and really am pleased with this change. I still have room for 7 people but it is a whole lot more fun to drive. The gas mileage is not great, but it is not much different than my older van. I get about 16 in the city and I got 19 on my first long trip. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Graet SUv - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Rochesterborn - May 7 - 2:00 am

  A great SUV - It is such a great looking vehicle. I drive from Upstate, NY to Maine in the winter and this truck does not fail to take me home safely.

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  This is a great car! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By John Barnes - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. I have had zero problems with it. The towing capacity is fantastic considering it is a smaller SUV. I have had the opportunity to tow a trailer that is over 2,000 pounds and you can hardly feel it. I love this SUV.

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  GREAT VALUE - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By MARK ELDRIDGE - April 25 - 10:00 am

  WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR USE AS A TOW VEHICLE. CONSIDERD A YUKON AS ALTERNATIVE ANDD FOUND THIS MORE COST EFFECTIVE. I FOUND ISSUZU STYLING AND TO BE BETTER THAN BOTH THE TRAIL BLAZZER OR ENVOY. WE OPTED FOR THE V8 AND IT RIDES FAR BETTER THAN THE 6 CYLIDER. WE ARE AVERAGING 18 MPG WITH A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF CITY DRIVING. WE FOUND THIS VEHICLE TO BE ABOUT $4,000 LESS THAN A COPERABLE TRAILBLAZER AND ABOUT $6,000 LESS THAN AN ENVOY. ISUZZU OFFERS DOUBLE THE STANDARD WARANTY OF CHEVY OR GMC. WE HAVE THE LIMITED EDITION WITH EVEY OPTION. BOSE STEREO IS GREAT.

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  More Bang for the Buck - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Eskimo - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV for the price. Comparable SUVs would cost thousands more. Six months and 7,000 miles and no problems.

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  What You Want? - 2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Delta D - April 9 - 2:33 am

  In your face fashion statement for some - but underneath its heart is covered in mud. Im from Africa and worked as Expedition Guide for several years. We travel Africas worst roads year round - from Cape Town (southern tip of Africa) all the way up as far as Egypt, through the deserts and jungles (which makes the Darienne Gap look like a normal workday in the rainy season). Isuzu together with Toyota are the KINGS for durability and reliability (it does not matter WHAT Landrovers spin doctors say). Drove it 2300 miles in 48 hours once - was a pleasure even on the blacktop. The Vehicross is like a (stubby) pig in mud out there - it is a pity to see it in captivity and out of production.