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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  Fun To Drive - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Josh - January 25 - 3:23 pm

  I got my Isuzu over the common explorer and other midsize SUVs because it drives like a car, not a truck. Its fun, unless you worry about the gas gauge which seems like it depletes pretty fast...Overall, Im glad I got the car, the brakes squeak like mad when its wet though. No mechanical problems to speak of. It sputters on startup when its cold, but nevertheless it starts up and goes.

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  Worth the money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By randymarsh - January 23 - 4:45 pm

  We bought ours in 2002 new and it has been a great car for the money. Dont expect 4runner or Pathfinder comforts in these cars, but they are much cheaper. The ride is a little stiff and the interior is cheap, but positives are a fairly peppy engine and good exterior styling. These do burn oil, but if you check it regularly and top it off as needed, you should never have any problems. At 112K miles, the only issue was the ABS light coming on a couple of times around 30K miles. Make sure they are maintained (fuel filter every 30K and the previously mentioned oil burning). Transmission fluid is sealed so a lot of places cant change it, but an Amco can handle it.

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  We like it! - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Gloria Scott - January 15 - 8:53 am

  As this is a larger SUV than the one we traded (Mazda Tribute), we didnt that the ride would be quite so smooooth! Nice! Just hope the vehicle suits us as much as we like the handling - thus far.

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  Good for the long haul - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By dcguy - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Axiom base 4x4 for over a year now with 24,000 miles and not a single problem. However, I am very disappointed with the resale value and now feel locked in to owning this truck for many years in order to break even. Although they call this a "crossover", it is only that way in terms of looks. This thing is definitely still a truck underneath and not a very smooth performer, although it certainly has adequate power and feels very solid on the road. Its a good value if you can get one new for under $24k, otherwise there are a ton of other choices worth the extra price. You just have to compare everything, donÂ’t be sold on looks alone.

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  A real Love/Hate Relationship - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RossM - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Have over 70k miles on my Rodeo in nearly 4 years and it has been a mixed experience. Love the acceleration, rugged looks, and generous cargo space. Hate the defects like broken gas gauge, faulty ABS indicator, and worst of all - DISASTROUS BRAKES. On wet or bumpy road surfaces in a quick stop, this truck is GUARANTEED to slide, twice causing rear- end collisions and many more close calls. Not safe so is now reduced to the status of a station car. Depreciation has been rapid also. Fast and fun, but in my view, not worth the risks.

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  Tough To Complain - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By A Wolf - December 22 - 11:30 am

  After 4 years & almost 80K, cant really complain. Done basic maintenance only, no unusual problems or costs, and still going strong. Cant complain about the 18-20mpg from a 4x4 SUV that sees a lot of city driving, I think its darn good. Dont get why people complain. Do run mid grade fuel to eliminate minor knocking. Has some minor squeaks & rattles, but mostly Im impressed with its ride quality and how well it has held up.

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  My Trooper 1999 - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Acuga - December 20 - 3:10 pm

  Living in an almost winter land (Illinois), we found our Trooper an excellent vehicle for this kind of weather, specially when snow, and rain it is involve. We had own this veh, since 2000 and it has 165000 miles with almost zero problems.

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  Solid Truck - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jeffk - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Good solid truck. Interior features a little hoakie. No climate control option. No Mechanical issues.

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  My Twitch - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sidless - November 29 - 7:46 pm

  My girlfriend bought the Rodeo since we wanted something that would haul a pop up camper and also offered covered storage for all our stuff. Twitch has been a great little ride. The Bridgestones are a bit loud, but nothing that turning up the radio wont cure. Had to replace rotors and brakes at 51K; put powerslots and ceramic pads on her and now shell stop on a dime! The shocks wore out quickly in the rear, so I replaced F/R shocks with Bilsteins and now all is well. Good acceleration, and 22mpg average gas mileage. Seats are comfortable for short hauls but a little uncomfortable on long trips. Overall, we love our little Twitch!

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  Outstanding SUV - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Art - November 1 - 5:20 pm

  Excellent SUV - 100K miles, and still going strong. A little shy on leg room for a tall person, but otherwise comfortable. Very reliable, have had a couple of problems getting the starter to engage in hot weather - dealer not able to fix. mileage is about 18.5 on hwy, could be better. However, other traits make up for this. Very good in snow and ice. Highly recommended.