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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  FUN LITTLE SUV BUT GAS HOG!!!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jt - April 8 - 10:30 am

  I had bought this car without doing any information about the car, If I were you listen to this REVIEW!!!!!! I had bought it Aug. 2006 w/79xxx miles and when I got home I relized the shocks needed to be replaced....yeah no prob. but like $200 a shock...ouch... and finding parts for this car is IMPOSIBLE!!!!! especially the front control pannel...b/c this car has buttons to control like AM/FM and AC the buttons fall out and I so far have taped them cause it costs $500 to replace the hole pannel not just the buttons...anyhow that is about it besides the back leg room is horrible and the back storage is also bad ....but that is what you get for a SMALL SUV....AND ITS A GAS HOG about 13/17.

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  axiom xs - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By BURCHBOY - April 8 - 10:00 am

  i have had my axiom over a year now and what a great car! i have owned a trooper, and a rodeo and this is no comparison. the ride is smooth and solid; the gas mileage 16-20; the look is awesome and turns heads everywhere. why isuzu does such a poor job of marketing, i dont know. this car looks better than most of the suvs on the market today. i am CONVINCED THAT GM SACRIFICED ISUZU IN THE US FOR SOME REASON.

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  Were thrilled! - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By self-evident truth - April 8 - 10:00 am

  We love our Axiom! This is our 15th new auto purchase, and by far our best vehicle yet! In our first few months of ownership, we took several 2K road trips, and everybody is happy (including kid and dog). Love the way it handles, and its got mega power (which is a welcome relief from our V6 Toyota Forerunner, which lacked as much space, as it did power)! Love the leather, and the 6CD shuttle system, and everytime we walk out to our baby, we cant help but marvel at her beauty!!!

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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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  Best ride ive ever had - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dexman - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I picked the S model because it fit my budget. Little did I know that the S model I chose came with all of the features of the LS model, 3.2 V6 DOHC, roof rack, CD player, power windows, locks, ABS, Intelligent Suspension Control, high performance stereo, great sound system, etc..The asking price was 25k, I got it for 23k. I love it, id buy another. I checked all the others in this class, glad I made this choice!!

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  Great Vehicle at a Resonable Price - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By lanetk - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Good Buying experience at the dealer, just watch out for the "add ons" they try to slip in. I compared with the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, and others and this was by far the best value. Factory incentives of $3000 really helped.

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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!

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  good for the price - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By peycan - March 22 - 10:00 am

  First SUV Ive bought. For the price, its great. Plenty of interior room. Nice looking outside. Not too big to park in a normal parking spot, but not too small either.

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  Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By eyesguy - March 20 - 10:00 am

  Good driving machine a little rocky and seats are not comfortable. Cheap looking interior.

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  electrical problems - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Amy - March 18 - 4:10 pm

  I have had multiple problems-replaced fan clutch and bracket, ignition coil, right turn signal burns out fuse that controls many other things including heat and power windows, transmission slipping at 78k mi., replaced serpentine belt 2x b/c fan clutch shredded the other one when the bracket broke, most parts are isuzu only parts and must pay a fortune for them; most are marked up 100%, seals on front windows coming undone and windows dont shut properly.