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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  Does it get any better? - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By ryanendres - July 11 - 10:00 am

  After almost 3 years in my 2000 Amigo, I know I made the right choice. So far I have 36k trouble free miles and I hope to see what others have with their 98-99 which is 150k+ trouble free miles. Why did I buy an Amigo? It is a rare truck since only about 10k of them are made per yr. The 10yr/120k warrenty. The ability to go anywhere. And it looks smooth

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  I like it... - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kgm - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Fits in my garage Looks like it cost more Rides like luxury Great cock-pit layout NEADS TO GET DRIVER SEAT HIGHT ADJUSTMENT AWSOME BUY FOR THE MONEY

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  Its fun - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By imazman - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. Had it for almost 5 years without trouble. Its time to trade it in and I am planning on getting a Rodeo again...but price IS everything.

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  Very happy - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tom_2004 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Wanted good price, ACTUAL off-road, occasional mid-weight towing vehicle. ENGINE: Got DI 3.5. Great power/mileage & runs regular. Get almost sticker mileage (conservative driver). INTERIOR: Comfy sit, even on long trips. Dash is nice looking and simple. 81cf of space-blew away larger competitors. Roomy back seats. Roof rack you can load w/o having a ladder. 4x4: Works well. INS: Cheaper to insure than most SUVs. SAFETY: Standard anti-lock brakes/4-wheel ventilated disk. GENERAL: I like the sleeker look of the Rodeo. Easy to get in and out of, baby seat loads easy. Glass lifts up to let oversized items hang out. Compared/did practical test. Great vehicle & Price.

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  JAVELIN SST - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By Javelin sst - June 21 - 10:00 am

  IT,S A HEADTURNER. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE VEHICLE IVE EVER SEEN, A JEWEL OF ENGINEERING. ON THE ROAD IT FEELS LIKE RIDING OVER CLOUDS. NO MAINTENANCE EXCEPT OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. ITS MY SECOND TROOPER AND I LOVE IT.

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  the first 1000 miles - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Paul126 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  Dont understand why Editors rate this truck at a 6.6. I traded dwon from a Suburban, and I find it a great vehicle. Handles well, has a nice short turniing radius, the seats are comfortable and its just the right size. I do miss the Burbs arm rests however!, Yes, the suspension is a bit spongy.......gas shocks may help that situation. But otherwise, Im lovin this SUV.

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  Love this vehicle - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By choirboy1948 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in March (NEW) and proceeded to put 5000 miles on the way from Illinois to Arizona.No regrets except for lower than expected MPG. I constantly get looks and inquiries on what make it is. Handles and brakes well and accelerates quickly I am sick and tired of "editors of magazines and Edmunds" berating this vehicle. By far and away the best SUV on the road for the money. Looks like no other SUV. Buy one!! You wont be sorry.

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  Driving fun - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By MICAH MAISAMARI - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Being new and few on the road Iam regularly asked about its handling. I tell people how much fun to drive.

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  Excellent - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By alb_1974 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  So far I have 600 miles on mu Isuzu Ascender and I love it, the ride is very smooth, quite and very confortable inside.

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  Loving it - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By HGW - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Weve had virtually no problems, we love this vehicle. This is our second Rodeo (97 LS got wrecked, we loved it too, RIP). Weve only just recently had a nuisance problem with the back windshield wiper (gets caught when closing back glass, then gets out-of-whack a little, now its only working hit-and-miss, I havent taken it in for service yet). The transmission has just recently started shifting funny too (seems to shift up/down a gear for no reason at low speed), so Ill get it looked at asap too. Neither of these problems are bad enough to shake my faith in my Rodeo though!