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 - but problems too - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By TnT - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun truck to drive - but long trips forget it - not comfortable at all. Great for a one person vehicle but not if you have a couple of dogs too. Needs a little bit more room for luggage. Styling is great - Ive already had to replace weatherstripping on rear, I think a little too soon.

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  great SUV; terrible paint! - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By mr schnoot - August 17 - 10:00 am

  Overall, my wife and I love the Trooper. I totally recommend it. Got it a year ago with 22k miles for only $14,600. Cant beat the price. Way more interior room, power, and size for the money than any other mid-size SUV. More rear leg room that an Expedition, and more head room than any mid-size SUV Ive been in. Gets close to 20mpg on the highway. TOD is probably the best 4WD system for the snow, and you can even keep it engaged on dry pavement. My wife loves that she can just push the 4WD Auto button and forget about it. The climate control is great for cold weather. Absolutely no problems after 32k.

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  Tough, but Cute! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Gagen - August 3 - 10:00 am

  My Sport is only a week old...but I love it! Obviously, no problems yet, but I am counting on the 10/120 warranty if anything should go wrong.

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  My alternative to a Mini Van - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By BIg Daddy - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Overall I like this vehicle. It could have a little more giddy-up under the hood. Good acceleration to 50, but then you may as well get out and walk. Performs great off road and under water.

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  Reliable - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By joe - July 13 - 11:30 am

  I bought the used vehicle with 127,000 miles on it, and it runs great and has been very reliable. Ive had no mechanical problems or anything major. The engine is strong, has no leaks, and is very clean. The only disappointment I have is that it drives like a minivan and doesnt take sharp turns smoothly. The tires were wearing unevenly till I adjusted the camber.

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  43 Months with a Trooper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By PA Carl - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The Isuzu Trooper has lived up to its billing and to my expectations. The vehicle has been virtually trouble free. The only problem was a leak in the intake manifold gasket after 3-1/2 years. The dealer fixed it under warranty. Its been a great vehicle.

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  Excellent except for gas mileage - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Steve A - July 2 - 2:53 pm

  I bought my 02 Rodeo Sport last Jan. to replace my 94 Jeep Cherokee Sport. What a difference in foul weather. With the Jeep, as soon as the snow fell it had to go into 4WD and didnt come out until spring. With the Isuzu Ive only had to use 4WD twice and that was cause I was playing around. I do miss the manual tranny of the jeep but thats about it. Otherwise Ive had a few minor issues. On the way to work one day the tranny started slipping and popping. Luckily it was only a small cracked gasket which puked out all the tranny fluid. $180 and back on the road. Otherwise just the drivers side window which likes to rock forward when closing.

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  99 Trooper: Staid but Solid! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By carsf - June 30 - 5:40 pm

  The 1999 Isuzu Trooper has proven the most reliable, comfortable mid-size SUV Ive ever owned. More importantly, its delivered flawless performance on & off the road. A 75-mile off-road trek through Death Valley was accomplished with ease, and performs well on highways during my commute. Most value for dollar spent on a mid-size SUV, for sure.

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  Good SUV - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By alex23 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Overall great SUV- nice lines inside and out. Goood handling and performance (keep in mind that it is still a truck frame- NOT a car). Nobody knows what it is (if you like that type of thing). Great features for the money. Robert Chevrolet/Isuzu in NJ as a dealer SUCKS!!!

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  Best Looking SUV - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Chris - June 27 - 8:13 pm

  My wife and I decided to purchase a Rodeo after looking at several other SUVs. The major reason we decided on it was that it was the only vehicle we could agree on. In my opinion (which my wife gave me permission to have), it is the most muscular and attractive SUV ever built. The 3.2L V6 is not an astounding powerplant, but it is lively and reliable; it makes plenty of torque for light-duty towing and trips up the canyon, but it wont set any speed records. We have been very pleased with the simple and intelligent layout of the interior and the seats are supportive on long drives. Look for a Rodeo in a lighter color to really see the muscular fender flares and appreciate the design.