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:

• 

  Stay away! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rayv5 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Paid $21000 new in 2002 and try to trade back in one year later and would only give me $11000 at the same dealer I got it from. Others would only give me $8000 to $10000. In 34000 miles have had problems with the brake paddle three times. It uses 1 1/2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. Jumps bad if I do not use 93 octane gas. Hate that I got stuck with it!

• 

  An educated review - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By the truth be known - November 24 - 12:13 pm

  Neat SUV! I would say that this is one of the most unique SUVs that I have ever seen. It is nice to own a vehicle that not everyone has. This truck is awesome. I did have to replace the front shocks and rear brake rotors when I purchased my Axiom, but I can honestly say that this comes with all USED vehicles. If you expect a vehicle in mint condition, get a NEW one. I thoroughly enjoy all that my Axiom has to offer.

• 

  2003 Isuzu Ascender Ltd - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By Alfred T. Child - November 22 - 6:36 pm

  Better interior lighting is needed.

• 

  What a shame - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rodeo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this truck for 4 long years. Only 70,000 miles. Problems: Trans Slip, Fuel Gauge Broke, Engine Light ALWAYS on - Dealer has no clue - ABS Light - Always on - Nobody can seem to figure out how to align my steering - Electrical system completed shorted out - hmmm is that dangerous? YES!! The only reason I keep the car is because I cant decide which is worse keep - roll the dice and keep the car for another year or take on another 5 year payment. I rate it a 2 since it still starts.

• 

  Bargain for a solid SUV - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By John - November 22 - 4:20 am

  A solidly built SUV at a great price is good choice for anyone who wants a basic utility vehicle. The engine is great, with lots of power and good gas mileage. Speaking of gas mileage, remember, if you live in a cold climate and have a lead foot, every SUV will eat gas, but GMs powerful engine lets you use a light foot and still get sufficient power. I average 19 mpg in everyday driving, 21 on the highway as long as you keep it below 80. Thats probably as good as real-world results for most crossovers. So if what you want is a car that has more room, get a crossover. If you like to haul, tow and drive on dirt, these GMs are good choices, and the Isuzu has the best warranty (pre 2007).

• 

  My 2nd Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Quynn - November 20 - 10:43 pm

  Ive had some problems with the Transmission too and my mileage is low. The RPMs go crazy & I had problems braking. I drive a little, turn off car & restart sometimes fixes problem. My drivers seat does NOT go all the way back. Im 54" & have short legs and seat is problem along with contour. I had a 88 Trooper & loved it. I like this too but I wish the seats were manual & the CD player was of better quality. Lots of room, I can put 2 bird cages, 3 cat carriers and 1-50 lbs dog & their food, in cargo area in case of hurricane evacuation. The "check engine" thingie is broken. I had it reset twice. 2 weeks later, when I gassed up, the light came back on.

• 

  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.

• 

  great performance! - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By rodeo101 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Considering the resale value of most suvs these days the rodeo is a steal. Its performance is grade A, while its exterior speaks for itself. Interior is nothing to brag about but it has everything a person would need on a day to day basis. 4WD is a breeze with the push button operation. I used to own a jeep cherokee and the rodeo blows it out of the water in everyway. Well worth the money so far, and Im sure it will continue to impress me.

• 

  Rodeo an excellent choice - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mervin - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Owned for four months. Used mainly as an urban family hauler. Excellent reliability. Except for oil changes, no servicing required.

• 

  88000+ and still running strong - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By FHFMA - November 12 - 4:36 pm

  We bought this SUV new after an issue with a used car we bought from the same dealer. While it wasnt our first choice for SUV I had owned a 1984 Isuzu PU with a diesel engine one of the first in the country and had great service with it. This is my wifes primary vehicle and while it avg 18mpg around town it will get 25mpg on hwy trips. Its heavy even for the V6 and autotrans accounts for less MPG. Only problem was the transmission had to be replaced at 60K due to a known factory defect. This was covered by the long warranty. Only other issue now will be the cost to replace the timing belt. Important to note this vehicle was supplied to HONDA and sold as the PILOT prior to them making one.