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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  Great Value for the Money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Henry - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive and it has a lot of power, especially if you press the "Power" button. Appears to be a bit smaller than my 1994 Rodeo, especially in the back.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Lou Lou - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a new 2002 LSE Rodeo! I actually went to the dealership dead set on the Axiom, but after driving the Axiom, I didnt feel it was very comfortable. I tried the Rodeo and fell in love with it! It is absolutely the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. I traded in a loaded 1999 Honda Accord and I like the Rodeo 10x better! It drives much smoother than the Honda did; it feels more like the ride/drive of the Toyota Camry. My mom owns the LEXUS SUV, and I actually think the ride of the Rodeo is more comfortable!

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  Trooper; Big Bang for your Buck - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Truxillo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Our family bought a White LS 4x4. For our family this is not just a car, it truley is a recreation vehicle. We take far out into the mountains, deserts. My wife likes the heated seats, I have gone over logs and my CD player doesnt skip, and we know our two year old is safe in this +2 Ton vehicle (consider the extra $ for low gas mileage an insurance). We paid $25,500.00 for our LS Trooper. An equivelent 4Runner would be about $8K more (that goes into Davids college fund).

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  Great - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By James - August 7 - 1:36 am

  Love it Smooth. Nice...

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  axiom - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By jennkrimm - August 6 - 10:00 am

  i love this vehichle and i would tell anyone who wants an suv that this would be a great purchase

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  Go Farther - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By bfrye - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Best over all ride among SUVs. Best warranty. Excellent vehicle..............

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  Solid Truck - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Bill - July 15 - 7:00 am

  This truck is comfortable and fun in one vehicle. I can drive it in a sand pit and the highway. The reliability is amazing. The interior is spacious and comfortable.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2000 Isuzu Amigo
  By hbc - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, fun to drive, comfortable ride, very reponsive, very well designed, great warrantee

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  Isuzu Ascender feel like your floating - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Ruben Gonzalez - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Very smooth ride, comfortable seating with plenty of room. Turns very good with no problem especially on U-Turns

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  Love my Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Chrissy2002 - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I read a lot of reviews, did test drives and comparison shoped for my truck. I finnaly decided on the RODEO. I have to tell you even when I see my friends with the Chevys and Fords with all the Bells and Whistles I still think I made a better choice. My Rodeo will far outlast and of those SUVs . Its rugged its fun to drive its dependable (Best Warranty out there) and it says a lot when you a chic like me driving one. It is an SUV that makes you enjoy driving and trying new things with it. And lets face it, the sound system is Great.....