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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  3rd Isuzu -- Best Value for an SUV - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By kdive98 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned three Isuzu Rodeos--a 94, 97, and now an 04. Ive never had a serious problem with them and the previous two that I had were both at 150,000 when I traded them in. Comfortable, reliable, and stylish-- all for a great price. Edmunds missed the mark when they gave this model a poor review!

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  Dont buy this vehicle - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By bill - July 22 - 12:20 am

  This vehicle was a pleasure initially until I realized the extremely poor gas mileage it got, but could live with it. Just before the 5 year warranty was about to expire, the engine began burning about 1 to 2 liters of oil every 5000 kms. ISUZU Canada says this is acceptable and will not honor the warranty. This vehicle is noisy with squeaks, etc and if youre looking for a smooth riding vehicle, this isnt it. My suggestion is to avoid this like the plague and for the cost, buy a Honda!

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  Isuzu has TERRIBLE customer service - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By nomoreisuzu - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Called Isuzu owner relations 3 times. They are no help. Car brike down twice where we had to wait almost a week for parts. WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN..

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  I Love my Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By paul medolo - July 3 - 2:13 pm

  Simply the best all around vehicle we have ever owned! Isuzu should bring them back into production

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  Great Value - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Sastisfied Owner - July 3 - 10:00 am

  After 2+ years of ownership and 40K miles of road use Ive yet to experience the first problem. It is a great vehicle for long distance travel, especially if carrying camping/other gear.

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  Love the Rodeo, but... - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By skidude - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with my new Rodeo. It gets a lot of use in the mountains and I am very happy with its off-road performance. The seats are much more comfortable than older models we tested. Roomy, sporty, attractive and useful. The biggest complaint that we have with our Rodeo is that it is next to impossible to get crossbars for the roof rack. The crossbars were taken off by the Isuzu design group due to noise issues, but were not offered at purchase and arent offered by Isuzu as an upgrade or kit. If you plan on using the rack, ask your dealer about it when you purchase your Rodeo to save the headache of trying to add crossbars later on.

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  RODEO - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JUDE - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I REALLY DO LOVE THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GREAT FOR GOING OFF ROAD IN SNOW OR MUD. LAST WINTER WAS ONE OF THE SNOWIER ONES IN CT AND NOT ONCE DID I HAVE TO STAY HOME. INSTEAD WE WENT 4 WHEELING FOR CHRISTMAS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ON NEW YEARS. IF IT WASNT FOR MY RODEO WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SNOWED IN. I ALSO HAVE ROOM FOR 3 TEENAGERS,2 ADULTS, SKIIS, SNOW BOARDS AND CLOTHES. WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN VERMONT!! THE INTERGRATED SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM IS UNBELIEVABLE, THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. IT FEELS LIKE A CAR BUT HANDLES ALL THE VARRIED TERRAIN. ANOTHER FEATURE I LIKE IS THE POWER BUTTON. NOT THAT THIS SUV NEEDS EXTRA POWER BUT IT HELPS IN NJ TRAFFIC.

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  1st Isuzu for me - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By goodnu - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I liked the Isuzu appearance more than its bland competitors. The Axiom is a head-turner with many people asking about it. It is not the cookie-cutter SUV. It is worth the test drive.

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  Great SUV Isuzu Rules - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mbz300sdl - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Well what can i say i have owned two Isuzus a 1990 Trooper that has 199,000 miles and a 1999 Rodeo With 102,000 miles these are great suvs I am only 18 years old and have grown up around cars ranging from Fiats to Mercedes (first car-300SDL). Dont get me wrong im not saying that an Isuzu can equal a Mercedes in anything except price but for the money spent there is not better automoblies avalible.

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  I Love this little SUV - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By chasespeed - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck used with 30k,and now has just under 50.I love it.Great family vehicle, fun to drive, and actually useful, even tow my race car with it, 4k, trailer and car.I have no complaints dealer of manufacturing wise.