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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  send it back - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jvp - May 13 - 10:00 am

  it is the worst

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  Save Your Money Buy A Dodge! - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By Pete - May 10 - 4:16 am

  I was told this is the top of its class. It had a high towing capacity. I needed something to tow my boat and that would be good on gas. Ive owned this SUV for almost 5 months and I had to go back to the dealer 6 or 7 time to fix it. I should of done more research on this SUV. I went to the dealer after the second visit in the first week of owning the SUV and talked to the man and told him if I could have my older car back and he could keep the $3500 I gave them, well I guess you no how that turned out. The Isuzu is a Chevy. I called Isuzu and told them all the problems that Im having; the man that should help me said "Im sorry sir, but I pull my boat with a Dodge." Now that was funny to me.

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  FUN LITTLE SUV BUT GAS HOG!!!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jt - April 8 - 10:30 am

  I had bought this car without doing any information about the car, If I were you listen to this REVIEW!!!!!! I had bought it Aug. 2006 w/79xxx miles and when I got home I relized the shocks needed to be replaced....yeah no prob. but like $200 a shock...ouch... and finding parts for this car is IMPOSIBLE!!!!! especially the front control pannel...b/c this car has buttons to control like AM/FM and AC the buttons fall out and I so far have taped them cause it costs $500 to replace the hole pannel not just the buttons...anyhow that is about it besides the back leg room is horrible and the back storage is also bad ....but that is what you get for a SMALL SUV....AND ITS A GAS HOG about 13/17.

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  Its Cheap & You get what you pay for - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dan - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have about 52,000 miles on my 2000 Rodeo. The ride has grown increasingly bouncy; its now feels similar to a carnival ride. This is particularly bad, because it aggravates this vehicles rattle quotient - everything rattles. Isuzu dealers are few and far between and they act like it. My dealer was never able to identify problems (or even agree there was a problem) on the first visit making each repair a multi visit battle (I did eventually win many, but not all of the battles). Unless you absolutely can’t afford something else – I’d look elsewhere. Most any other vehicle out there is superior to this one. Run; dont walk, out of your Isuzu dealer.

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  Its Cheap & You get what you pay for - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Dan - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have about 52,000 miles on my 2000 Rodeo. The ride has grown increasingly bouncy; its now feels similar to a carnival ride. This is particularly bad, because it aggravates this vehicles rattle quotient - everything rattles. Isuzu dealers are few and far between and they act like it. My dealer was never able to identify problems (or even agree there was a problem) on the first visit making each repair a multi visit battle (I did eventually win many, but not all of the battles). Unless you absolutely can’t afford something else – I’d look elsewhere. Most any other vehicle out there is superior to this one. Run; dont walk, out of your Isuzu dealer.

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  2001 Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sweet01heart - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I really do not like my Rodeo. But I went from A Mustang to a suv, and do truly miss my stang! But I needed more room for my daughter, and didnt want to go all the way up to a full size SUV, so I went with the rodeo. I bought it used, but in very good shape. But geez, it loves gas!!! My husbands 3/4 ton Chevy gets the same gas mileage as my rodeo!! And the depreciation is horrible!!! I can not even think about selling it for what I owe on it! It depreciated very very fast!!

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  Aximon - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By fbyers - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Im not exactly crazy about this SUV. The one I have willnt free wheel going down hill at 40 to 50 miles hr. It down shift out of over drive tactmeter will go from a 2 to 3 or 3.50. One reason I think this is not normal it doesnt happen everytime. I dont think this should happen. Would like to know if anyone else has this promblem. I would think this cuts down on miles per gallon. Back door is to narrow doesnt open wider enough for easy exit. This simply a bad design in the car. Really no reason why the back door should be this way. I different hing could solve this problem.

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  NEVER AGAIN - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jd Texas Flyer - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought TWO of these dogs on the same day (what was I thinking) for wife and daughter, hoping to get them into something reliable and safe - just the opposite. After 20K miles, major items began to fail such as catalytic converter (complete failure), transmission oil leakage (required complete transmission replacement), engine starter failure (replaced / both cars), ABS brake failures, throttle control valves, EGR valves, gas gauges, central computer, radio (lights, speakers), along with multiple factory recall repairs, some of which required more than a day to complete (without a supplied rental). There is NO feeling of dependability.

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  All the same problems - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By harveyjc_2001 - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Same aforementioned problems: 1)Erratic idle -- vehile lurches forward randomly. 2)Minor tap on bumper (airbag did not deploy) and it shattered into 1000 pieces 3)Fuel Sensor died at about 50K miles, dealer refused to fix under warranty 4)ABS light is on. Not sure what the problem is yet -- theyre looking at it now. 5)Major problem with wheel bearings. Entire rear end replaced under warranty. This one was so catastrophic they couldnt ignore it! If you live in MA, do not buy from 128 Isuzu. Service is horrible.

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  Think before buying! - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By John K. - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Run, dont walk, away from any Isuzu Rodeo! Just a "few" of the repairs Ive had to make... new engine new catalytic converters new fuel pump new ABS module new ABC wiring harness leaking washer fluid new rear light socket new knock sensor new PCM Oh, and dont forget the numerous recalls. Stay tuned in is now in the shop...