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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  Great Vehicle, Great Price - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Slane - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this vehicle for more than a year and am very impressed. In fact, my wife and I own 2 along with a MB SL500- so I know cars. In sports mode, this vehicle rides as well as many entry- level luxury cars. Power is sufficient to send you on your way in a hurry. The price difference does not merit moving up to a Lexus RX or Mercedes ML for that manner- well maybe an ML55.

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  "Just My Style" - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Omie Terrell - October 10 - 2:00 am

  With my just being retired from working and now having alot of time on my hand, I find myself on the go. I like to shop and my car just didnt have the room for storage. My new 2003 Axiom have enough room for all my hauling. And I decide to dress up and go out on the town, it fix that need as well. It a well built vehicle that handle well and meets many needs.

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  Looks good... but very problematic - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By johnnykk - October 10 - 2:00 am

  It looked and felt good when I bought it (used) a year ago. But then the problems kept on coming. As much as I liked the look and ride... it kept finding its way into the shop. This thing is NOT durable at all. Its an SUV alright... but you cant treat it like one.

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  2000 Rodeo - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sharon Lewis - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I love my Rodeo! In fact, I will buy another when I need a new vehicle.

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  Most bang for the buck - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By eskimo - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Have had the SUV since 11/01. Has all the bells and whistles. Not a bit of trouble with 8,000 miles on it. Fun to drive, has classic SUV look that I like.

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  Rodeo-4Play - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By 4Play - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV if you like to off-road. Very capable off the showroom, fun, sporty, and very quick!

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  Stay Away! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Reallymad - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Wow! What an impressively unreliable vehicle! Since the intake manifold gasket failed (under warrenty) the vehicle has been nothing but problems. Two fried computers, bad throttle body, MAF sensor, wiring harness short(!!!), makes me wonder whats next. Weve parted with over $10,000 in payments over the course of the loan. The vehicle is now only worth $8000 (if it were running right, that is.) We just going to take our beating and get away from this flaming POS!

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  Best there is - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Glenn Lin - October 2 - 10:00 am

  The Isuzu offers 10 years and 120,000 miles warrenty, who can beat that?

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  Isuzu Ascender - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Jim McLoughlin - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Gas mileage is better than expected. Comfort on long trip is very good. Plenty of power in the hills, pulling a trailer or passing.

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  Im Happy Now - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By MiMi - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I really like my Rodeo. I had a 99 Camry and wanted to upgrade to a suv. Went in to look at a Trooper and drove it, then the Rodeo caught my eye cause it had a sporty look and it was loaded, so I jumped in and went for a spin and I knew it was the one.It drove like my car did,with more power, but definately a comfortable ride.