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,Fun,Fun and Fun - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By dima chernyak - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I did a huge research on all SUVS and this was the best SUV for this money and it is just better then the others

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  Very good SUV - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By william tsai - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Simply a real utility + sport car

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  Love My Rodeo! - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By wayover20 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a new 2003 Rodeo after researching other SUVs including Explorer, Passport, and Jeep Cherokee. I also have family and friends that own these other suvs but I have to say my Rodeo has everything I want including a great looking exterior, comfortable interior with all the features I want. It gets plenty of second looks. Im glad I made this choice.

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  comfort - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By AzRed - January 11 - 4:40 am

  Strong engine. Tows trailers well. Front passenger seat is very uncomfortable on trips; my hands fall asleep due to the low hard arm rest. Envoys seats are much more comfortable.

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  Fun to drive- Expensive to own! - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By fettj - January 6 - 10:26 pm

  I purchased my Trooper with 72,000 miles on it and immediately had the transmission flushed and service. Throughout its life I changed oil every 3,000 miles and used Valvoline Max Life. I blew the tranny at about 135,000 miles, and Im not sure why. I took very good care of the vehicle. Besides that, I had a lot of problems with the vacuum 4 wheel drive system, which cost me a lot of money. The AC also went out at 85,000 miles. When the tranny went out the rear struts were shot and the exhaust system had a big hole in it just behind the caddy. Since Isuzu discontinued their automotive line, part prices have gone up significantly.

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  A real surpise - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By tmbhawaii - December 31 - 2:00 am

  very roomy and provides a smooth ride. Engine is very quiet.

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  2001 Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sweet01heart - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I really do not like my Rodeo. But I went from A Mustang to a suv, and do truly miss my stang! But I needed more room for my daughter, and didnt want to go all the way up to a full size SUV, so I went with the rodeo. I bought it used, but in very good shape. But geez, it loves gas!!! My husbands 3/4 ton Chevy gets the same gas mileage as my rodeo!! And the depreciation is horrible!!! I can not even think about selling it for what I owe on it! It depreciated very very fast!!

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By D.Parker - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This XS model is fantastic. It has every bell and whistle included as standard equipment you have to pay extra for with the Toyota, Mercury and Ford we also considered purchasing. This unit is more powerful than the Explorer V-8!

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  RIP ASCENDER :( - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By skyye - December 28 - 12:33 am

  My husband & I purchased our Ascender March 08, it being a car thatÂ’s not really common we had our doubts but was exactly what we were looking for. We never had any problems on it except for an electrical problem which is common on these cars. When making sure this was the right car to purchase I searched reviews & found the most informative ones on this site so I wanted to make sure that I added my thoughts of this car on here but most importantly how well it handles in accidents. Last week my husband was involved in an accident with a drunk driver which totaled our Ascender but it handled extremely well. Definitely a 10 on safety!!

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  GET AN ISUZU AXIOM, AND YOULL KNOW - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Bryan Wetzel - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I love the 2004 axiom, its a big difference from the 03 axiom. Theres no words to explain it, you have to test drive one yourself and youll know. My first car, my only car until my 7 year warranty runs out. Beat that