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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  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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  This is not a good choice - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Laszlo - October 3 - 6:50 pm

  We needed a 4WD since we moved from Los Angeles to an area that had snow. We bought the Trooper used. It had only 32000 miles and looked very clean. Its been in the shop twice in the past 4 months and the parts are hard to get. Gas mileage was terrible before our first trip to the mechanic and now the tranmission leaks and there is no easy way to fill it. The mechanic found no dip stick. The fluid has to be pumped in under the car. They sure dont make it easy! There are so many better trucks out there, there is no reason to buy 2nd or 3rd best. The Trooper is no better than 3rd best choice for an SUV. Its uncomfortable, unreliable and gets terrible gas mileage. Stay away!

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  Isuzu Rodeo 2001 - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By tidebelle - September 13 - 12:00 am

  I own an Isuzu Rodeo 4 cy. 5 speed. While the overall experience with my truck has been good, the most recent problems have concerned me. It has blown a headgasket twice now and I feel that the 4 cyl. engine is not enough muscle for the weight of the truck.

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  THINK ABOUT IT!! - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By CAP - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I PURCHASE MY ISUZU IN 2000 BRAND NEW IT HAS BEEN A DEPENDABLE TRUCK UNTIL MY FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACE. WARRANTY DID NOT WANT TO COVER IT. SO PLEASE DONT PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE RADDLE NOISE FROM ENGINE, CD PLAYER HAS BEEN REPLACE 3X . NOW THE CD PLAYER DOESNT WORK (EXT WARRTY DIDNT COVER IT). BRAKES BADDDDDD!!,BACK WINDSHELD SHATTER ON ITS OWN THE 3RD YEAR (WARRTY DIDNT COVER BECAUSE THE WINDOW WAS TINTED) KEYLESS ENTRY FOB WORK SOME TIME MOSTLY WHEN UP VERYYYYY CLOSE TO TRUCK (REPLACE BATTERIES SEVERAL TIMES ) SO PLASE THINK ABOUT IT!!!

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  Lots of electrical probs starting at approx 80,000mi. Listed in order of failure: check engine light came on thermostat, speedometer, fuel gauge and oil pressure gauge at 105,000mi. - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By mysuzuki - May 29 - 11:54 am

  Dealer where I purchased the vehicle said none of the probs were covered under warranty because of the mileage. I called Isuzu corporate office and they said there is a "policy extension" on the fuel gauge to 120,000mi. The policy extension has a campaign number issued for it. " SB 13-04-S004 (fuel sensor).They referred me to another dealer who has ordered the part for the fuel gauge. However, they say the instrument cluster" needs to be replaced and it is not certain that the fuel gauge will work unless it is replaced and some or all of the probs may or may not work unless the instrument cluster is replaced. Footnote: A linkage part in the transmission shifted broke at approx 100,000mi

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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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  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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  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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  Do not buy a V6 - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tom Davis - April 6 - 9:46 am

  I very much enjoyed the Rodeo, except for the engine. The Isuzu V6s have a major design flaw. Lots of Isuzu owners from 1998 to at least 2005 have had to have at least one engine replaced in the vehicle. It is this V6 engine that has caused Isuzu to close around half of their dealerships and put them very close to just going out of business. Around 60k miles the engines begin using lots of oil and usually end up with a spun bearing.

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  Nightmare! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Kelly - March 28 - 6:36 am

  Purchased this car with 150,000 miles, nothing but problems since I have had it. Converter stopped up, when it is first started, it doesnt want to go. Been in the shop for going on 3 weeks, mechanic can not figure out what is wrong with it. on the positive side, it is comfortable and looks great. if only it was as reliable as it looked!