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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  Cant get much better - 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Scott Free - January 20 - 11:33 pm

  Purchased my VX in early 2002 and have been in love ever since. It handles more like a sports car than an SUV. In the snow it is a beast, never got stuck one time. Drove it on the beach in NC and all I got was turning heads. Put simply, it is like owning an exotic car. Only 5000 were ever produced, so you almost NEVER see another one, wherever you go, not like so many other mass production vehicles (1 every 3 blocks!). The stiff ride allows you to feel the road, and corner without yaw. Good luck getting a used one, because I will probably NEVER sell mine. :) Simply the best experience I have ever had with a vehicle.

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  Crash Test Dummy - 2000 Isuzu Amigo
  By chris - January 16 - 5:00 am

  I only owned this Amigo for 6 hours. I was driving it home when a 2002 Ford F150 turned in front of me. I was going 50 mph. The collision was nearly head-on at somewhere between 60 and 80 mph. The Amigo held up great! All the damage was in front of the passenger compartment. I was in the hospital for 2 days for observation due to concussion, but I am definitely getting another Amigo. Thank you to the engineers at Isuzu! Im also going to get one for my teenage son.

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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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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Oval - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had several 4-wheel drive vehicles and this is by far the best. Ive taken it off roading and it performs great. A great feature are the skid plates that are standard on the vehicle. Its elegant for going out and yet its rugged enough to stand up in the woods. Living in New England I was impressed the way it handled in snow as well. Ive never had a problem with it and Ive gotten 17,000 miles on it so far. My wife loves driving it and she feels very safe in it. Id recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Nice Vehicle - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By bigbad2001 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I got the Special Edition and I love it. I have not had any big problems, except a few annoying things that the dealership fixed right away. The drive is nice, it is not like a car, but then again, I didnt buy a lexus. The engine is quiet and drive is smooth, especially with the Intelligent Suspension Control. I would have liked the interior to be a little more spacious, My friends who are 6 feet or taller have some space issues - also the moonroof takes away about 1-2 inches of headroom. The looks are definitely nice, it is black with grey lowers and grey aluminum wheels. It gets attention wherever I go.

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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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  2nd Rodeo - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By judi - January 5 - 12:53 pm

  I love my 98 Rodeo; its my 2nd, the first was a 97. I have had some costly problems with it however. At 97,000 miles, a transmission, numerous sensors, fuel indicator, and other small things. The body, living in the sun, is still in fantastic shape and the truck is large enough to fit my family but not too bulky. Can go just about anywhere in it. The gas mileage could be a little better.

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  GOOD SUV FOR THE PRICE - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By CRAIG - December 28 - 10:00 am

  JUST PURCHASED IT AND I LOVE IT. FOR THE PRICE YOU CAN GET BETTER.

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  Very Impressed - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By sirrundmc - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is unreal. I am so impressed with the quality and make of the vehicle. Roominess is an understatement. The quality of this vehicle is beyond my expectations. I use to own a Chevy Suburban and I swore up and down I would never buy another American made car. But even though this car is American made, it has the quality of a Japanese made car without the price or the shortcomings in roomyiness. This SUVis the secret of 2004.

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  A True Sport-Utility - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sjbass - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I have driven a 98 S V6 model for over a year now. 200+ ponies is useful when you have to commute L.A.s toughest freeways, and the rear cargo area is large enough to hold all my musical equipment. The only problems I had so far is: 1) fuel gauge is inconsistent, and 2) ABS and Check Engine lights go on and off intermittently. Thats it. This is the only SUV that works hard and gets 19+ mpg...