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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  Beware - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By John - August 25 - 9:30 am

  I bought the Isuzu Trooper because I saw great ratings on Edmunds, but my experience has been poor thus far. I bought at 85K and thank goodness I bought an Eagle extended warranty. In six months I have replaced the starter after sitting in a parking lot for 6 hours waiting to be towed on 4th of July. Then came the alternator and the engine at $3,200 was just replaced under warranty. My mechanic told me although I saw great ratings on Edmunds he has seen nothing but problems over and over again with the ones he serviced. "ENGINES are always a problem with these"...he told me! I still like it, but dont buy one without an extended warranty!

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  My view on 2005 Ascender - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Sabryna - August 12 - 4:30 pm

  I feel that overall the suv was a very good price. However I feel that the tires that they have on the Suv really STINK! They dont handle well on wet/snow pavement. If they put a better tires on it then the preformance rating I would give would have been much hire.

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  do not buy... duplicate - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By c. gRETZKY - July 15 - 2:00 am

  again, the first 3 years... minor problems. new brakes and rotars after 20000mi, new transfer case, broken hood release, and serp belt shortly therafter. at about 50000mi,the enging burned all the oil at about 1000mi. after months of complaints (and gallons of oil) i got a new engine, which leaked all sorts of fluids. got rid of it that week and curse the company since.

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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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  Many problems to follow my purchase - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By amber - April 22 - 10:33 pm

  The day after I purchased this SUV at 63,000 I was replacing parts. That should have been my warning, but I really liked my Isuzu. The truck has a lot of problems that maybe a handy person can fix themselves with the help of a junk yard. I have had to replace problems including both catalytic converter$, oxygen sensor, tires, brakes and rotors, cv boots, the windows dont roll up and or down, Ac, gas gauge fluctuates on a full tank will blink as if on empty and out, power steering pump broke, burns excessive oil, horrible on gas, keyless entry had to be replaced, and heat shield had to be removed. I have owned my truck for a few years, now at 126,000 mi.

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  had my axiom for 5 years - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Trish - April 1 - 1:30 pm

  One thing that I loved about the axiom was the outside design. But dont let that fool you. I have had nothing but troubles with this SUV from the transmission, to the electrical, and the list continues. I am very disappointed in Isuzu and will never by one again. Plus on top of all the problems the parts are hard to find and real expensive. To make matter worst this car bounces like crazy no matter what Ive done. Buyer beware!

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  Just eh... - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Eric V - March 27 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the more attractive SUVs and I am pleased with its performance though it does have some issues. One happens to be the wind noise when driving on the highway. Another issue is the climate controls, they seem as though they belong in my old GEO. On an overall scale of 1 to 10, it gets a 5.

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  Good value for price - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RLM - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Good performance, fair fuel economy, fair turning radius, nice with leather, wood trim, sunroof, Premium sound. 5 speed makes it a fun SUV to drive.

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  Not that great - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By gad1 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Paid 23K with leather, 2WD. I bought this SUV because I liked the looks and style. But after 3 years, I am sick of the noisy, bouncy ride. Brakes constantly squeal. Steering wheel constanly shakes despite new tires. I Like the room with the rear seat folded, great for trips to Home Depot for Fence/deck lumber. Overall, no major mechanical problems, just toons of squeeks, road noise, and crapy handling. I will NEVER buy a second one...

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  High Maintenance - 2006 Isuzu Ascender
  By wokeup - January 8 - 8:16 am

  Great looking and a great ride, but very poor mpg on highway 15. Also, at 70,000 mi it fell apart, new water pump, new alternator, stabler track problems, fuel gauge problems, window on passengers side leaks and exhaust leak. Not to mention normal maintenance of breaks and belts. Low initial price, but they make up for it later down the road on repair costs.