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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  PRACTICAL-NOT PICKY - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By KEITHMB - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I READ ALL THE REVIEWS OF THE RODEO AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO SHAKE MY HEAD AT THE COMMENTS THAT PEOPLE MAKE! I THINK A LOT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE. 4WD DOES NOT MEAN 4 WHATEVER DRIVER! TAKE CARE OF YOUR VEHICLE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. LOVE THIS VEHICLE. THE LOOKS, THE PERFORMANCE-V6 HAS PLENTY OF POWER (BETTER THAN THAT KOREAN V6), THE RELIABILITY. HEY ITS NOT A BMW OR LEXUS CLASS SUV-BUT ITS NUMBER ONE FOR ME!

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  Good Buy - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By hulak - December 18 - 9:56 am

  No problems to date. For the money, this SUV has a lot of space & features. Great warranty. Great styling. The ride is a little rough. Could get better mpg.

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  satisfied owner - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By dunca85 - December 14 - 10:00 am

  finally an suv that looks great and has power!! and one that doesnt look like a box on wheels like most suvs.

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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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  Good Value - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By dogzallez - December 10 - 12:00 pm

  While the mileage could be better, the Ascender is a pleasure to drive. The cabin is roomy and easy to haul things with. The fold down seats also have headrests that fold down when the seats do so that the head rest doesnt have to be removed from the seats like the older Rodeos did. Peppy V-6 engine and a smooth ride. The instruments are easy to see through the steering wheel while driving.

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  Driving for 1 month (1200 miles) - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Wes64 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  1st SUV driven & drives nicely like car. Drove on gravel roads w/ pot holes, in pouring rain & big puddles & handles much better than my 92 Accord. Its sluggish, compared to Accord, but goes well when pressing gas & A/C is on. Back door opens sideways. Cant drive w/ back window open. Seats are comfortable while driving or riding whereas the editor review said it wasnt. Average of 18.5 MPG w/ A/C on. Towing sounds good from the specs of 3500 lbs, but havent tried towing anything yet (manual says dont drive over 45 MPH). The engine is quiet after 1st gear when & not much road noise, even w/ large tires (16" P245). In first gear its noisier.

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  its a blast to drive - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By tel1441 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car to be a third car for 2 drivers. What a blast. I enjoy getting in this car. Improved the gas mileage by going 100% sythetic oil and using 89plus gas. Saw my average fuel economy go up by 2 miles per gallon. I drive alot of city with ac on.

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  What a rocket. - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By ahmadsa - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for 4 months now and absolutely love it. Ive out run BMW X5 3.0 and lexus RX 300 in pickup and on the higway. I love the roar of the engine and immediate throttle response. Breaking is also excellent. The only thing Ive had a problem with was the rear view mirror that came off, but the dealer fixed it at no cost. This truck is not for the nerds. I would only recommend this vehicle to a speed enthusiast. It takes no prisnors...speed speed and more speed. Wow, what a rush.

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  The Rodeo Rocks Hard - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RodeoRocks! - December 2 - 2:00 am

  We shopped around for over 7 months & the ‘03 Rodeo was such a killer deal, brand new. Major fun, great warranty/well built. Love displays; stereo is the easiest thing to operate! Floormats like no others; they grip solidly. Perfect sized, head- turning, sharp SUV for a super deal. And remember, John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

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  My Axiom - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By Alex23 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great SUV for the money. Comfortable, but truck-like in its ride Isuzu really has done a god job. Ive had two different Troopers prior to this and they dont even compare. Also, this is just an overall great looking ride.