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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  Problems... - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By kansastiger - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had a lot of problems with this vehicle. It has been in the shop a lot over the last 3 years, torque converter problems, shorted wire in the 4 WD area, to a blown engine. Thats right, my engine started a loud knocking on a trip. Who knows what the problem was, the dealership said it was out of oil, but I religiously change and check my oil. I checked it immediately after the problem started and the oil level was fine. Anyway, Isuzu replaced the engine at their expense, but I was without a vehicle for 10 days. Now I have a rattle coming from the 4 WD area and Isuzu wont fix it since I am out of my warantee period.

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  Four Years With My Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By huntly - September 13 - 7:10 am

  No problems other than characteristic fuel usage common to these type vehicles. Two cross country trips, coast to coast, were fine. Minor alignment problem taken care of by dealer. Great drivetrain warranty not required. After 4 years, I have no regrets other than the failure of the brand to flourish. I previously owned a 1988 Trooper and it was my all-time favorite vehicle. I hated to trade it in, but the time was right. Owned it for 130,000 self maintained miles. While old Trooper was heavy in the maintenance required, the Rodeo has nothing to do, but drive and enjoy. It is so much more in power and great handling than old Trooper. Bad image undeserved. I am a happy owner on 10 year plan.

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  BEWARW!!! Stay Away from 98-02 Rodeos. MAJOR SAFTEY RECALL!! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By eroeder7966 - September 11 - 2:41 pm

  Ive owned my 01 Rodeo LS since 06. Got it with 58,286 miles. To this day looks and runs like new with the exception of check engine light caused buy sending unit. Love the truck. But on November 23,2010 while traveling 40mph the bracket connecting the trailing arm to the frame broke away causing the vehicle to sway out of control. This problem is common to 90-95% of all 98-02 Isuzu Rodeos, Axioms and Honda Passports. Both manufactures havea fix for the brackets, however these fixes will only work on a small percentage of the affected vehicles due to excessive frame rust. My 01 Rodeo with only 81,192 miles was deemed unrepairable Isuzu is now in the process of buying it back for only $4500.

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  Pretty good SUV for the money - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mikeae747 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had only one re-occurring problem, a clunck in the rear end that need to be lubricated by the dealer every 2 oil changes besides that this SUV has been problem free since we purchased it. The leather seats are not very confortable for long drives but are OK for short distances.

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  4 X 4 - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Paco - September 3 - 10:00 am

  My Rodeo performs well but seems to have a lot of minor little problems. The interior fell apart rather fast. Air vents broke, the console latch broke and doors in the cargo area warped rather fast. I have also had trouble keeping the front end aligned and as a result I have gone through three sets of tires in three years. When really pushing the engine up hill the engine "pings" even with premium gas. Which brings me to the biggest problem, the gas milage is really bad! But even with all of the little stuff that bugs me, I have enjoyed the car. It has been very reliable, goes great in the snow, and the ride is good too.

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  Cream of the Crop!!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Dan Banapoochi - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This suv is the best I ever owned and I had them all. I got rid of my Hyuindi sante fe to buy this and it was like night and day. I would compare this with a Toyota 4 runner without the extra cost to buy. For a suv it is surprisingly comfortable and it handles well. Would highly recomend to anyone who is looking for a Suv.

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  Isuzu Rodeo Sport 02 - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By GWise - August 15 - 6:43 am

  Good reliable little vehicle. The only mechanical/electrical problem we have experienced is a defective dashboard light dimmer switch which the dealer replaced at no cost and an fuel injection oxygen sensor. The fuel economy is not the greatest for a relatively small vehicle but its truck based construction allows greater towing capacities than similar small sport utilities. I would buy it again.

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  Why all the bad press? - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By chapy - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Its no Acura as far as quality goes but considering what I paid I believe it to be a pretty good value and have enjoyed driving it so far... Some of these editors must have an axe to grind with Isuzu.

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  My perfect Mom Car - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By csnickie - July 30 - 7:20 pm

  I purchased a used 99 Rodeo just before I became a mom.....giving up my truck. Safety was the #1 factor, and love that it "Frame on Chassis" not unibody. Now with over 185,000 mile on it, it is still the most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned. As with the rest, the gas gadge went out...drop the tank and add a new one....and it was worth my sanity. For girls who love trucks, like to 4x4 in the snow, or have to haul a trailer, I wouldnt drive anything else. Was actually rear ended by a Chevy Surburban once, and the tire on the back absorbed both the impact and damage. I also drove it to the bodyshop. As all cars, alternator, starter, h20 pump replaced. 185,000 mile though...and counting.

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  Good choice - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Antoine - July 29 - 11:30 am

  Since I have bought this vehicle there have been some things that I have been dissapointed with like the fuel economy, but overall I would say it is a good buy for the price compared to other SUVs in its class.