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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  My 2002 Rodeo S 4X2 - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Brian355 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I like the car. I find it to be fun and igile to drive. Great handling on wet/snowy roads for a 2WD. It is a roomy family vehicle with plenty of cargo space. The MPG is about what I expected. I do disagree with reports of a noisy/busy ride. The ride is smooth and pretty quiet in my opinion. The light steering and tight turning radius allows easy manuvering in parking lots.

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  Axiom - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Ryan Wells - July 2 - 6:03 pm

  This vehicle is a good bargain. It does everything well. Power is great and gas mileage has shocked me. Hope we have no mechanical problems!!!

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  A pleasure to drive - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By TRB - June 28 - 10:00 am

  The more I drive it, the more I like it. Extremely responsive in traffic.

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  1998 Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By garbagebill - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt goin out looking to buy a Trooper but after my test drive I was hooked. Simply put this is the most reliable vehicle Ive owned, and Ive owed alot of cars. VERY comfortable to drive especially on long trips and Troopers are a very nice looking vehicle. Im at over 80,000 miles and Ive NEVER had a problem. Until Isuzu does me wrong Ill always own one.

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  Humm...somebody is oicking on Isuzu - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dyma82 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Isuzu for three years already, and I am really please with it performance so far. I have never had a serious problem with it. The most terrible problem I had was my rear wiper stopped working after three years of use. I found that acceptable. I found my Isuzu Rodeo really reliable and some friends of mine who own Rodeos also speak hight of it. I dont think there is any SUV out there other than Isuzu Rodeo from which you can get so much power out of a 3.2 6 cylinder engine.

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  Omaha Bound Axiom - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By wallyworld68 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed this car very much but plan to get rid of it opting for a similar design with better gas mileage.

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  Wise Trade - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By CP-Shelly - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee for the 2002 Axiom and I am extremely pleased with my decision. The acceleration is much quicker and the ride is far smoother. I fill my tank more often but the tank is smaller and takes about $7.00 less to fill it up. While the drive and interior really peaked my interest the 10 year/120,000 mile powertrain warranty sold me without a doubt.

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  WHAT A GREAT SUV - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JOEISUZU - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I cant see why people dont take advantage of this truck it is great hey people eat up the passport hello it is the same car wise up get the rodeo it is the real thing would never trade it and I sold a 4 runner to buy mine and do not regret it one bit

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  SUV Dream - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Chelo - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2004 Ascender Jan 2. It caught my eye - exterior/interior design, Isuzus reliability, quality & performance - Sweet & Fully loaded! As for fuel economy - the mileage is almost the same as my Lexus ES 300 - just a few bucks a week. And, my insurance is a few buck more than my ES 300 because of all the safety features! I enjoy driving my Ascender as much as my Lexus - which is now parked in my garage! Austins traffic is like an obstacle course & wild - I feel much safer in my Ascender!

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  I love it! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By harmsfarms - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 02 w/ the SE package, what an attractive vehicle! Isuzu should market this line with an equal push with the LS model. Drives great, stops great and looks like a million bucks!