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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  What Quality Improvement? - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jayhawkboy - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Honda supposedly improved Isuzus quality issues in the late 90s. Either Honda didnt teach well, or Isuzu didnt listen. Incredible number of little things started going wrong after one year. Hood latch broke. Rear glass loose. Body panels rattling. EGR vale, fuel filter, replaced twice. Engine stall. Door hinges replaced. On and on. Some warranty items, most not. Never buy an Isuzu.

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  Practical SUV - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Mwidner - December 17 - 3:16 pm

  Good if going to use the "utility" part of SUV, otherwise buy a car. Lots of room to haul stuff, adequate power and great on hills and in snow.

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  Blown Engine - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Kris Davis - October 14 - 9:23 pm

  Bought this vehicle brand new at the dealership. I got 13-15mph from day 1, no matter how I drove it. About 3 months ago, the low oil light came on. I immediately pulled over, checked the level, and added 4 quarts to bring it to full. For a 5 quart engine, to warn with only 1 quart in the engine is just a little too little. Since that day, I checked the engine every time I started it up for the day and had the oil pan gasket replaced. The engine started making a rapping noise on the day the oil got that low. Since then it has gotten worse and worse. The mechanic told me that it was just the lifters making a little noise. Yesterday the engine seized while driving. Not happy!

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  Confused Owner - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By Confused Owner - September 12 - 10:36 am

  I bought my 03 Axiom in Dec 08. The first 5 days I fell in love with this vehicle. On the 6th day the transmission started slipping. I thought it was something I was doing. Every time I begin to accelerate my truck would jerk like it didnt want to go. I took it back to the dealership and of course it didnt do the jerk while they drove it. I took it to the service dept. where they supposedly did a transmission flush and it stopped the slipping for awhile. Its back now. I am so frustrated with this vehicle. Im on the verge of taking it back.

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  Isuzu forgets your name after the sale - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Onerobertone - August 3 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this car new. Never again will I buy an Isuzu. Nothing but problems since day one. I still have a check engine light that comes and goes and that nobody can figure out what it is. When I called Isuzu to talk to them about it, the guy on the other end of the phone fought with me about stuff like whether I said "a car" or "the car". It was the worst case of customer service ever!

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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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  bad customer service - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Josh - March 13 - 1:13 pm

  The warranty is pretty much useless my tranny went out @ 55,000 miles and it has been at the dealership for over 3 weeks! Help w/ a loaner or reimbursment for a rental

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  just fair - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By joe kirshenbaum - January 7 - 4:06 am

  I like the size and roominess of the interior. Driversite lines are good and car is very comfortable to drive. Plenty of passenger room and cargo room. However, vehicle is heavy and a bit sluggish to operate. Low gas mileage tops out at about 15.5 mpg true driving conditions. Had to have transmission replaced at 72000 miles (covered 100% by warranty). Also have had several issues with 4wd system which were only partially covered by warranty. The mechanical problems and below average gas mileage prevent me from recommending car as an every day vehicle

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  Rodeo S V6 - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Scheer - December 14 - 10:00 am

  Burned a huge amount of oil (quart every 900 miles or so) Had to have engine replaced under warranty after 27000 miles. Gas milege is at around 15 mpg combined.

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  Axiom driving - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By tom mcgrath - November 20 - 3:00 am

  The vehicle has been quite good and not required other than normal maintenance. Got it to tow my boat and it is quite adequate. Need to replace rear wiper arm and it is a very non standard design, though the front arms are standard. Cant buy it anywhere. Top heavy like all SUV/4wd and need to be aware of that. Gas mileage is poor - average 19.5 under the best of conditions, much worse with a load.