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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  Wouldnt buy one again - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By tom423 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Wouldnt buy one again.

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  Stay away! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rayv5 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Paid $21000 new in 2002 and try to trade back in one year later and would only give me $11000 at the same dealer I got it from. Others would only give me $8000 to $10000. In 34000 miles have had problems with the brake paddle three times. It uses 1 1/2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. Jumps bad if I do not use 93 octane gas. Hate that I got stuck with it!

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  What a shame - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rodeo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this truck for 4 long years. Only 70,000 miles. Problems: Trans Slip, Fuel Gauge Broke, Engine Light ALWAYS on - Dealer has no clue - ABS Light - Always on - Nobody can seem to figure out how to align my steering - Electrical system completed shorted out - hmmm is that dangerous? YES!! The only reason I keep the car is because I cant decide which is worse keep - roll the dice and keep the car for another year or take on another 5 year payment. I rate it a 2 since it still starts.

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  Lemon at Large - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By ccya - September 14 - 12:07 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 160,000 on it. I didnt make it one month before it needed major repairs, I was told it was the transmission, by several different mechanics. Took it to a trasmaission shop they switched out the transmission and $2700 later they took it for a test drive and guess what it was still doing the sam thing. Turned out to be the alternator not the transmission. Havent had it back a week and the muffler dropped on it. Than within one more week the motor starts knocking, not a good sign.

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  Rodeo not so nice - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By erb - August 31 - 10:00 am

  The ride is terrible and the transmission too.

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  Should have known better... - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By shumuzu - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought Ascender in Feb.03 & was in the shop by March, and at least 6-8 times since. The a/c odors (could not sit in the car until we blew out the system with all the windows down.) Repaired 10/03,still smells. There are many interior parts inferior in quality. THe gear shifter came off in my hand, stearing wheel whines,plastic compartments wont shut/open properly, the radio/cd player has been replaced 1 time,& parts have again been ordered for a repair.The "old pick-up truck" rusty, screachy sound they cant seem to find. Although anyone riding in or near the car can here us coming!

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  poor quality, not worth the money! - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By scott kelso - January 21 - 1:26 am

  I have only had my Ascender for 4 months now and I have been back to the dealership 6 times. Driving lamps 3 times, rear seatbelt 3 times, transmission 4 times and body molding 2 times. Transmission shifts hard on long trips. Driving lights keep fogging up. The front bumper moves up and down while driving. Center console wiggles by just putting your arm on it.

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  Former Rodeo Owner - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dimitrisyaakov - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The Rodeo is small( sholder room ), top heavy, has poorly thoughtout interior and exterior design. Windshield moldings had to be removed and re-glued due to excessive wind noise. The front suspension was factory bad and had to be modified to level the vehicle out. The brakes stick when a hard stop is required. The rear axle yoke had to have special grease and parts to make it function properly. There were spot weld rust through around the rear lift gate from the factory. The ride was rough. Wind, Rain and Road noise were horrable. Traveling down the road while raining you hear every drop.

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  Poor house - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By S - October 12 - 4:53 am

  Since the engine blew 3 months after I bought it ($6000.00), I have spent an additional $4000.00 on repairing everything, and still brakes not working properly. I know I should have gotten rid of it a long time ago, but dealer screwed me so bad Im stuck with it for another 2 years. Id love to get some of my money back. I owned Isuzus for 8 years prior, but never again.

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  Dont buy this vehicle - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By bill - July 22 - 12:20 am

  This vehicle was a pleasure initially until I realized the extremely poor gas mileage it got, but could live with it. Just before the 5 year warranty was about to expire, the engine began burning about 1 to 2 liters of oil every 5000 kms. ISUZU Canada says this is acceptable and will not honor the warranty. This vehicle is noisy with squeaks, etc and if youre looking for a smooth riding vehicle, this isnt it. My suggestion is to avoid this like the plague and for the cost, buy a Honda!