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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  Homeowner, Fisherman, Hobbyist - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Picky Driver - August 31 - 6:36 pm

  Very dependable. Great rear bumper is a 6 inch wide rest, a shelf or a seat when tailgate is open (like no other SUV has). Also, because back window lifts up separate from the tailgate, I can carry 12 ft long pipes and lumber just extending 2 feet out the back window while it is nearly all the way down. The seats lay down as a flat surface unlike most SUVs that leave the passenger seats at an angle when folded downward. CONS: I notice that the paint chips at each rock dent (lacks flexibility) then quickly rusts underneath. Tires squeal in tight turns even at idle speed. What other compact SUV is built to tow over 4000 pounds? It pulls a 17 fiberglass boat easily on road or in & out of ramps.

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  Absolutely No Buyers Remorse - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By nuschler22 - July 26 - 11:40 pm

  My wife and I drove every SUV on the market. We were heading toward the Dodge Durange but "accidentally" discovered the Axiom. The Axiom is by far the quietest in its class and has as much if not more off the line and cruising power as the 8 cylinder Dodge Durango. With doing mostly city driving, the in dash mileage gauge shows weve averaged 19.8 mpg since weve bought, though it seems we get more. The vehicle is quieter than any other SUV in its category and handles like a nice sedan.

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  Smooth riding SUV - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By SCTribeFan - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Looked for over a year for the right midsize SUV. The research from consumer magazines stated this vehicle was designed to compete with the Toyota Highlander, but be more reasonably priced. The price was great, and the ride compares to a Toyota Camry which I owned for years prior to purchasing the Axiom. Would absolutely buy another.

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  Powerful engine - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sonia - July 26 - 2:00 am

  comfortable interior seats, big cargo space, rugged exterior look, smooth ride,

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  quality suv - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By icatscan - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I found this suv to be a hidden gem among the big boys. Even though the vehicle is not widely marketed, Im very impressed with the soft ride. It has excellent pick-up and pull away speed.

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  Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By JW - July 15 - 10:10 pm

  Excellent storage and power. I camp (tow a trailer) and hunt from this vehicle. Lots of usable space. Have had no problems.

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  excellent Trooper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By MDENMAN - June 20 - 4:23 pm

  This is my third Trooper, previous an 88, and a 94. Both were extremely reliable and comfortable. This one is the same except for oil consumption. Excellent off road and and highway cruiser. I expect to get a couple of hundred thousand reliable miles usage.

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  PART SPORTS CAR ,SUV, WAGON,AND LUXURY - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By BERNARDO - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I PURCHASED MY AXIOM JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH MY DECISSION TO BUY IT. I HAVE HAD ZERO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A BURNED OUT FOG LAMP WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NO ONE ELSE OFFERS AS MUCH FOR THE PRICE. TRUST ME I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH AND TEST DRIVES AND NO ONE COMES CLOSE.

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  A Treasure - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Itroop - May 30 - 2:00 am

  We can only hope the corporate remake will produce as nice a vehicle as this 93-2002 series has been. Best functional design in the industry and its classic smoothed boxiness will never go out of style (because it was never in style to begin with).

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  I love it - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By vlajkon - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Axiom. Silky smooth driving, very fast and very powerfull engine. Good MPG, so far 21.1mpg (city). Looks different, with 10y/120k warranty simple is the best.