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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  Axiom is cool! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By vuzl - July 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun to drive, capable on- and off- road vehicle. Very quick to accelarate. I love it. For a good price it has everything that any luxury vehicle has. Well, there two drawbacks that i see: the rear door glass part doesnt open separately and the driver sit has limited ajustments.

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  Not for Kids - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By SAHC - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Overall, nice looking vehicle, fun to drive, however there is not enough room for a rear-facing car seat in the back. The back doors do not open wide enough to easily put in a car seat with a baby latched in, and when the carseat is in, the front 2 seats have to be adjusted all the way forward, which leaves no leg room to drive. Back seat needs to be roomier.

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  A great buy - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tiffany - June 30 - 4:06 pm

  My husband and I bought this vehicle over 3 years ago. It already had 107,000 miles on it, but the dealer assured us it still ran great. I must admit, in the 3 years we have driven it, we have never had a single problem with it. It now has 161,000 miles and still runs great.

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  Served me well despite issues... - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By denmar68 - June 27 - 6:36 am

  I purchased my 04 Rodeo in Oct. 2006 with 22K miles on it. Four years later, it now has 86K on it. The only cons are the "check engine" light going on and off sporadically for no apparent reason, the car has problems starting maybe once a month (but it always starts), the gas mileage is not very good, and Ive had to replace the battery once. I love the style of the exterior, but the interior is plain, basic and cheap looking. It has plenty of room for me and it will haul alot of stuff. My fiance does all the maintenance work on it and its been overall, a pretty nice car.

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  130k mileage, uber-dependable in Colorado - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Lesmon - June 26 - 9:50 am

  Bought it used in 2000 with 13k miles; now have 130k. This car is a beast in Colorado, smashes through blizzards and snow, pulls out cars when in 4 Lo, carries lots of stuff when skiing. Still have original brakes at only 50% usage and that includes lots of driving up/down the mountains to ski and a few 4WD drives up to 13,000 feet. Also holds my 3 kids in the backseat nicely. Love the tons of interior space; its like having a Suburban without the excessive length. Truely have had only two post- warranty repairs: Transmission seal and Torque-On-Demand vaccum replacement. Total cost around $900. It does burn oil as others say but I can live with that and hope to for another 5 years.

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  Love it! - 2000 Isuzu Amigo
  By Tammy R - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Gas mileage is horrible on V6, but very fun to drive. Top can come off, but its a hassle. You only want to do it at the beginning and end of summer, as it will need a new gasket each time. Tows like a champ. V6 will tow 4,500 lbs. Tows my 18 bass boat, no problem.

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  Assender Review - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By C. Finch - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Have had several electrical problems. Back wiper works sometimes other times you must turn key off start again and it will work. Rear windows hardware in door was replaced electric window dropped in door. (broken hardware, happened with 3600 miles. serpentine belt went bad, was replaced at 10000 miles.

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  Great Winter with it - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Michael2K - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a used 99 Rodeo and just went through the first Winter with it in N.Y. The 4X4 was worked excellently and got me going on the road and in and out of snow.

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  Great Vehicle! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By free4all - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Bought the 4 cylinder stick and in a flat environment it works fine. I took it in the mountains and it is way under powered. The is great looking and extemely comfortable. My next Rodeo will be a 6 cylinder.

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  Good so far - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Billy Dwyer - May 27 - 6:06 pm

  We traded in a 2002 Ford Explorer. The Ascender rides smoother and has more options than the aforementioned. I like the towing capabilities and options that are available on the Ascender. So far we have no complaints.