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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  old zuzu - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By bigroo - January 15 - 10:00 am

  sorry people, i have a 95 rodeo. i just had to write something. my 95 rodeo has been through 3 teenagers, now on 128000 miles and has had no problems on it as far as breaking down. this is my first vehicle and i LOVE it!! and of course its got 4wd so this thing does see a lot of off road use. it has held up for almost 10 years now. even as its previous owners treated it like a red headed step-child.

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  Wanted a Tahoe - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By CHKeith - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Since the $35K asking price for the new Tahoes was too rich for my blood, I "settled" for a Trooper. For $10K less, including tax and tags, I couldnt be happier. Although it weighs 1200 lbs more than my Blazer, my Trooper has superior pickup and its 230 hp outruns any truck with less than 8 cylinders. The AC is a little under powered on sweltering afternoons and the gas mileage is pathetically poor. Still and all, it is an excellent truck and Im glab I bought one.

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  2002 Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By maxell27 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 Rodeo S V6 4wd and love it. It handles great and it is a true SUV, not like a car with SUV features. I loved it so much that my folks just bought a 2002 Rodeo LS 4wd. You can not beat the warranty, features and price. I wanted a SUV not a car and I am very pleased with my Rodeo. In fact so are my folks.

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  I love this truck - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Lepperd - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I love my Axiom...it is rarer than a Lamborghini, or Bentley and it gets lots of looks!

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  Something Missing - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Diablita - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I think the Rodeo is a fun car to drive it needs a little improvement... the interior is not that pretty, the cloth of the seats is a very cheap maetrial, but they are not that uncomfortable... very roomy, and the cargo area is huge... i cant really complain there

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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.

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  Pleased Overall - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By andrea kelley - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the Rodeo when I found out I was pregnant and specifically wanted a small SUV for the ease of getting a child in and out of the car seat. I didnt want to hurt my back by lifting an bending over constantly. The extra space for the stroller and misc supplies has been a real plus. The actual performance of the vehicle has been excellent. I havent had any problems what so ever mechanically. The pick up is not as powerful as I sometimes want it, but then again I need to remeber there are children in the car now and I dont need to race everywhere I go.Overall Im satisfied.

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  Best Friend - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sharon - December 15 - 12:40 am

  My 98 has about 200k ... my check engine light is on due to two sensors needing to be replace both costing $200-$300 but other than that, there is virtually nothing else wrong with the car......since Ive had it (2.5yrs) Ive had to change the breaks, timing belt, spark plugs/tune up.. very satisfied

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  Maybe mine is a Lemon - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By JD - December 14 - 8:50 am

  Bought mine with only 8K miles in 01. Everything went well until engine threw a rod at 58K miles and destroyed the engine. Engine was replaced under warranty by Isuzu. Good customer service, it just took 3 months for the engine replacement. In the interim had to buy another vehicle to fill the void. Once car was returned engine management system failed at 62K miles (not covered under warranty). Quality of build pales compared to my old 86 Trooper II. Not recommended.

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  2001 Isuzu Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Vermillion - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I like my Trooper! I can not say enough about the vehicle itself. I remember traveling on icy roads and putting it into 4 wheel drive and the the feel of security hitting you.