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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  Do not purchase - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Barb - May 13 - 7:46 am

  I couldnt wait to buy an SUV - found this one used for a good price. Loved it! Owned it for 3 years, replacing brakes and the usual maintenance. Then the bottom rusted out of it entirely - my shop guy was able to put a screwdriver through the entire underside. Isuzu would do nothing nor would the dealership. Isuzu will not do a thing! DO NOT BUY THIS SUV.

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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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  Wild - 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Frank R. - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Although the power may be somewhat over-rated, the truck lets you know as soon as you hit the gas its a v6. The turn radious is unbelievible, and the snow capablilities are unmatched.

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  Major fun, but no navigation system - 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By everettr - April 28 - 4:16 am

  The Vehicross has cool, futuristic styling; lots of power, and good torque. But, GPS is not an option (a good nav system is a must if you live in the city). And, it has U-Haul like rear visibility.

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  Isuzu Rodeo 2001 - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By taken advantage of - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Rodeo - the first one (1999) died of engine problems in 2001 so I was tricked into buying another one from a dealer. The second one (2001) - the new and improved- is in the shop yet again for almost 3 weeks now with problems with the front axle. I took the car from the dealership earlier this week after it was"fixed" and on the way home, I the car blew out again after looking a bolt in the front axle (I believe). It was towed back to the dealer and the tow truck driver reinforced my idea to get a different car - He told me they all do this. My cousins (at 60K miles) two weeks ago died on a trip across the country.

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  Great Deal - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By J in SD - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I checked out the Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, and Isuzu Ascender. Preferred Envoy/Ascender over the Explorer and neither could touch the deal I got w/the Ascender. On similar equipped Envoy I couldnt get the dealer under 30k. I picked up my Ascender for just over 23k on almost the exact same vehicle and received a better warranty.

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  I love my Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By mossycoyote - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have to admit Im a Trooper fan. My 2001 is the 4th Trooper Ive owned. Ive this one driven it on the beach and to Mt. Evans (14,000asl)in Colorado and it performed great at sea level and at altitude. I love the roomy interior. I can pack it full of camping gear, or full of groceries and still have room for the family.

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  Its just o.k. - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By kalex - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought it because I really liked the design ( still do! ) and the 100,000 mile warranty. unfortunately, when I did have a problem with the fuel pump the warranty had just expired. Cost me $1,200. It also is burning a quart of oil every three thousand miles. Not good, considering I baby this thing.

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  I love my Rodeo - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By coloradogreystar - April 13 - 6:40 am

  I was rear-ended on the interstate. The offender hit me at an estimated 55 mph. I hardly felt a thing! The design really held up! A small problem with the O2 sensors was quickly cleared up, otherwise ... no major problems. I love my Rodeo!