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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  Quality Product!! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By blumers - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Highly recommend this SUV for the discriminating buyer who is looking for a quality built product. Not only does it have classic body lines, but plenty of power and room to spare. The decision to buy this vehicle was easy.

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  good suv for the price and warranty - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By herrerahnj4 - May 6 - 10:00 am

  nice exterior look,interior looks a little plain but acceptable. over all truck looks pretty sharp

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  8 yrs old - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By J. D. - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I have a 1994 Trooper S. Only mechanical breakdown was the starter at 132000. Most reliable vehicle I have ever had. Great SUV.

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  A Must Have! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By AxLoVe - May 4 - 8:10 am

  I wanted a truck, but I came across the Axiom, it surprised me; average gas mileage but real fun to drive. I recommend it for anyone.

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  Love my SUV! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Staci Cooper - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Axiom! It has all the features, the comfort and design I love. I feel confident in every aspect of of driving. Thank you Isuzu.

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  Its been a great year and a half - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By PleasedOwner - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Every so often I check on what is being written about the Axiom. I bought it a year a half ago and have had no problems. I like the power, we actually took it off road a bit in Moab and it did fine. It has been good in the snow too. It still runs as well as when we bought it. I dont have any buyers remorse, we will get 120K off of it for sure.

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  10 years and still running strong - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Dale Fieber - April 4 - 10:03 am

  I bought my Rodeo new in 2000, that was 10 years ago. It now has over 156k miles on it. Aside from normal maintenance, I have only had 400.00 repair of a leaking plug on transmission. at 150k, the brake pads still had 30% wear left - incredible. Its still spunky, and has enuf power. Cd changer went out - I hear that is common. Too bad resale at this point is not real good - at KBB prices, it will be a great deal for someone should I decide to part with it.

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  I love my rodeo - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Linda - April 1 - 3:33 am

  I have owned my rodeo almost 12 years. I am the original owner. There have been minimal problems with it. I debated getting a new vehicle after five years and again after eight years and again after ten years; however I just cant part with it and now I would never get enough money out of it to make it worth selling. I have never been left stranded with it. I have done all the maintenance as required and been proactive to do repairs before necessary. I take good care of it and it has always been garaged. Everyone has always thought it was new. I will probably never get rid of it . I have 160,000 miles on it and it still looks great both inside and out. I love it.

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  Diamond in the Rough - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By twocar - March 28 - 10:00 am

  For anyone who hasnt considered the Isuzu Axiom a worthy competitor, I say...Drive One!! Isuzu hasnt put much into advertising this baby (and I could care less to remain one of the lucky exclusive folks to own one) but for power, looks, durability, etc. this is one potent pony. I got the base model with some options since the vehicle comes so well equipped anyway. The longer I drive this truck, the more pleased I am with my purchase. Am approaching the 6k mark and it has been extremely pleasant. This is one outstanding vehicle and if you were to compare Isuzus warranty to many competitors that makes its value another 2-3k.

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  Great buy - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By susan - March 27 - 5:40 am

  Car has always been good for me. I live out in the country and always having to drive on bumpy roads and this car has always drove well without any problems at all. The mpg is decent I get around 20-22 I also love the way this SUV looks unlike most.