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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  simplistic yet functional - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By J. Tan - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Its functional and simplistic. Maybe it was the ease of getting in and out. Maybe it just makes you feel cool. I dont know. I drove it a while ago and would hard pressed to describe why I liked it so much. The suspension could be better but I usually drive in stop and go traffic. The only time I really tax a suspension is accelerating off a steep parking lot down onto a street at an angle. I donÂ’t think a soft suspension is bad as along as youÂ’re not rocking side to side.

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  1998 Isuzu Rodeo - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gknight - July 17 - 4:43 am

  I purchased my Isuzu Rodeo as a used vehicle with 6450 miles on it. I have since added another 81,000 miles, and have absolutely no complaints about the vehicles performance. Outside of standard maintenance (changing fluids, brakes, tires, charging the A/C, etc.) and proactively changing both the timing belt and water pump at 60,000 miles (no mechanical problems with them), I have only had to change 3 sensors (drive shaft, power steering and O2). Ergonomically, the dash is laid out very well, the A/C and heating vents are well positioned, visibility is excellent, the arm rests on the door and console are comfortable, and the cargo space is very good. My cloth interior wears very well.

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  why me? - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By disappointed in VA - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I was really happy with my Rodeo for the 1st 4 years, then it was downhill. The ABS module was replaced & right after, my fuel gage stopped working-something that is a $295 fix. The needle stays on "E" & the gas light never stops flashing (it started last August & I put black tape over it & use my tripodometer to know when I need to fill up). Now my AC stopped working & they want $1400 for a new compressor & $995 for some valve that goes with it. Lately my gas mileage has gone from about 20mpg to about 14mpg. We bought it hoping to have it for at least 10 years or more. Apparently Rodeos wait until the warranty is up to start falling apart on you.

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  Fear Itself... - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By XST it - June 23 - 10:00 am

  This is a deceptively nice vehicle (because of Isuzus reputation and lack of advertising, nobody knows about it, making you think its not that good). It runs great (next year, supposed to get a 250hp Direct Injection V6 and a Diesel V6, too) but the shocks seem a bit overkill. Got some shocks from my mates in Australia (Old Man Emu- strange name/ tough, great shocks) to replace the electronic ones which would have been expensive to replace one-for- one when they wore out; just cut to the chase and got rid of them. Ride is much better, just dont have "choices"; net result is big plus. Whyd they get rid of the "black & tan" leather?

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  2002 Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jbauman - June 14 - 11:16 am

  I like it a lot - and it tows 5000 pounds on level ground with no trouble at all. Hills can be a challenge, but then again, Im at max towing capacity. Except for two nagging problems, its been very reliable. One problem is a persisten check engine light (PO440 code, a known problem), and two failures of the accumulator piston seal on the transmission (another common problem). Both fixed under warranty.

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  Beware! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By bmprigge - June 5 - 5:50 pm

  Ive had this car for a little over two years and it is in the shop again for a blown engine. The last time, it had an issue with the engine and it completely seized, this time a rod shot through the block. Its a pain having to have it in the shop so often (I had to get a new transmission in it about 6 months ago) but I cant bring myself to trade it in because I LOVE DRIVING IT!! I would say that if you can find one, buy it (but make sure you get an extended warranty).

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  Fun to drive - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By M beck - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought the vehicle with 10,000 miles and now have over 55,000 miles. I added a towing package and find very little problems. I like the interior and exterior design. The replacement items have been the ABS modulator and keyless remote over four years.

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  2004 Rodeo 4 door - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By hitmark - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Good suv for the price, Nice size. Good Looking

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  Good, Reliable Car - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tim Ralston - May 31 - 2:13 am

  I bought my second Rodeo in 1999. I have had it for 10 years (140K miles). I have maintained it well, and not had any significant problems. It is a V6 with a manual transmission and 2 wheel drive. It is a great city car and good in the mountains and dirt roads, fun to drive, has very good power, gets reasonably good mileage (18 city, 22 hwy) and has been very reliable. Downsides - the seats are a little Spartan, and it does have a truck-like ride (also a positive, since it is one rugged vehicle). Also, at about 100,000 miles, it did start to use some oil - I have to add a quart about every 2,000 miles, so not quite enough to get by between oil changes. I am going to miss it.

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  Great Car - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jt979 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great solid car with pleanty of pulling and acceleration power. Pleanty of torque.