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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  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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  Great SUV - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Isusuman - March 3 - 10:00 am

  After leaving the dealership in a brand new automatic Rodeo for under $16k, I felt like it was a steal.. and it was. The Rodeo is a vehicle true to its heritage. It is a no frills SUV and acts like one. The 4ccyl does not have a lot of pep off the line, but has excellent power at highway speeds. The Rodeo handles great, but the brakes leave little to be desired. Overall, it is an excellent value if you have a limited budget!

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  Value added - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By TRUPA - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Best SUV you can get at a reasonable price.

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  An Amigo by any other name... - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By scathma - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Ever like how a car looks but HATE the way it drives? Thats how I feel about my Amigo/Rodeo Sport. I think the design is great, but definitely less than the sum of its parts. On paper, the car has impressive hardware but the execution is poor. The resale value is terrible! My 2000 Amigo depreciated from $22K to $12K in 20 months! The ride is harsh, atrocious 14 mpg city, rear visibility blocked by tire/rear seat headrests, seats are uncomfortable, driver legroom is tight, factory sound system poor, and rear end hops around on bumps - dangerous when it happens on curves. Whatever you call it, its not a very good buy. I would not buy another Isuzu product.

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  The Plague of 1998 - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By boozetown@go.com - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I leased my 98 Rodeo for 3 years and then bought vehicle at the end of the lease. From the beginning I had nothing but problems including having the brakes worked on 8 times in 3 years. Just after warranty, I spent about $1500 more on the brakes and they still were not right. Also had fuel injectors go out that costed about $500. And had to have the bracket holding the rear spare taken off to remove the tire. Nothing good to say about vehicle except it does look good.

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  INITIALLY HAD BUYER REMORSE - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Tbone - February 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV and it rides like a car. I didnt get the four wheel drive, as I wanted to maximize fuel efficieny. I am averaging around 19.5 (it was worse until I hit the 10,000 mileage). I get many compliments on the vehicle (the color is anthracite metllatic). At first I was saddened cause I didnt get the four wheel drive, which would have the Tourqe on Demand. In the Maryland area, we have been having mild winters. This past winter there would have been only two instances to use the four wheel drive, so now I am okay. Overall, I am quite pleased with the Axiom, just a little disappointed in the MPG.

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  Nhubu - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gdf56 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  a very good reliable car that is very attractive in price style not to mention safety because it protected me completly in a head-on

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  Pretty Good Truck - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By 1Time - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my rodeo for 3 years now. Its has been a great truck! Only problem has been the fuel sensor or something, the hand stays on e all the time, but I just reset the trip tackometer every time I fill up. I doubt if it is still under warranty it has 88k now. The head rest if very uncomfortable for resting on long drives but other than that, I like the truck.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Bryan - February 2 - 12:23 pm

  I bought this car new in 2003 for my wife. Having owned a 1994 Rodeo with 180,000 with no problems I knew this was the way to go and I wasnt let down. Our 03 rodeo now has 130,000 miles and still drives like new. Weve performed regular oil changes and had a new timing belt installed at 70,000 miles. (not because it was giving us problems, thats just what you do at $70,000 miles) but thats it! This car has never been in the shop. This car is so inexpensive to own and maintain. You simply cant beat a rodeo!

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  Its Better Than you Think - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Steve MB - January 21 - 8:56 am

  Izuzu gets a rap but this is a great vehicle, thouroughly enjoyable, super performance, I dont disagree with the steering comments but my explorer was far worse. Over all a great ride.