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:

• 

  abs sensor - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By H0ckypuck - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Make sure the dealership replaces a wiring harness when you take your Rodeo in for the "abs" sensor fix. Replacing the sensor will not fix the problem. I have an LS with a 5speed. Pretty quick for small suv. My biggest complaint is loud interior noise. Only reason why I would trade my Rodeo.

• 

  rodeo - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rebbel - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have driven many types of cars and truks, Includeing a Jeep cj7 and several ford trucks, this is the first orgen made truck that I have ever oned and I am verry happy and pleased with it A reasonably priced well made 4x4 that is fun to drive and fun to own.

• 

  2 Trooper Guy - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By gpepper - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my wife a Trooper S. Within 6 months I traded in my 97 3000GT VR4 and bought myself a new Trooper Limited. Its an unpretentious vehicle thats entirely capable of delivering on every promise. Sturdy, dependable, and it really goes in snow. My family and I recently found ourselfs in a horrific snow storm in the Trooper. 18" of dense, wet snow, fallen trees strewn across the mountain roads and literally crashing all around us. I cant tell you how amazed we were at how easily we drove through it. The Tooper didnt even break a sweat, and neither did we.

• 

  Edmunds too tough, I like it! - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By jeff - March 9 - 12:23 am

  Bought this 04 Axiom used with 48,000 miles. The seats are low compared to a Suzuki Grand Vitara it replaced but I got used to it. This vehicle flies! Power is fantastic, gas mileage is 13 mpg. Looks alone are a home run. I personally like the dash but does have a lot to it. You just have to get used to it. My only complaint would be the rubber stripping around the doors it seems to move or come out of its fasteners and not fit as well as Im sure as when it was new. I have had it 4 months or so and really like it.

• 

  I love it - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By sandy859 - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Its diffrent looking so you get the looks and compliments. It rides nice and has room for all 3 , yes 3 car seats in the back. The only trouble I had was getting the license plate on the front. Will no doubt trade it in 4 years for a 2006 Axiom. I would like to see the 6 disc cd player someplace else other than in my storage compartment, where I keep my junk.

• 

  Served me well - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By isuztroop7 - February 4 - 9:26 pm

  Ive always wanted a Trooper more than anything and finally purchased a used one after Isuzu ended its production. Its been 3 and half years and its time to move on to a new love. She always made me want drive friends to places and parties. Never let me down on muddy trails, sandy Virginia beaches or snowy Connecticut highways. Always felt safely in control. The stock sport 4WD model came with lots of options but not as many as the LS or Limited. Ill never forget that outstanding truck.

• 

  Best Kept Secret - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By dapperD - January 18 - 12:46 am

  I have only had this Ascender for a short while but fell in love with it the moment I took it on a test drive. It has a very soft ride for city driving. Highway driving while smooth is a bit choppy. I think it has to do with aerodynamics and that Im used to owning a car. Compared to the Ascenders cousins (Trailblazer, Envoy), it cant be beat for warranty and price. I bought mine brand new for $19,965. Apparently, Isuzu was offering quite a bit off of MSRP yet it wasnt advertised. This is almost $7,000 off of sticker price (I think its because Isuzu is in big trouble financially). How was I going to pass that up? This SUV is a beauty and you wont see many on the road.

• 

  New Isuzu - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By MikeP - January 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a good solid SUV. I have had it for just over a month and it is everything I expected. It does well in traffic as well as off road. It has good power for towing small trailers and campers. My son likes the rear moonroof. The cargo space is just enough to fit al of my hunting equipment. There are only a couple of issues, Im always at the gas pump and my right leg is always hitting the shift lever.

• 

  Unbiased - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Smittyx7 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  For a single person who likes the off- road stuff as well as the regular road, this SUV has performed as advertised. Nothing too fancy, it just gets you there and back. People will miss this no nonsense 4x4 in a few years ....

• 

  Three Troopers - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By PD - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I own three troopers. Not a single failure / problem in 250000 total miles.