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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  Awesome - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Sandy - March 5 - 2:23 pm

  We purchased our vehicle new in 1999. Since then we have accumulated 172,400 miles. Accomplish recommended maintenance when required and keep driving. Agree it burns oil but which it states it would in the owner manual. I have driven many SUVs over the years and have yet to find one that I enjoy as much as my 1999 Trooper. If the engine should go out, I would not hesitate to replace the engine and keep driving. Car looks like it did the day we bought it. No corrosion and the paint is beautiful. The only way I would get rid of my Trooper is if they made another one.

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  Sweet Trooper - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Qdogg - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Trooper. The first was a 94 LS that had too many things that I didnt need such as the headlight wipers. I have the 2 grand S that would be excellent if it had the arm rests, luggage racks and side steps as standard features. Other than that you have a combination of beauty, speed & power.

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  great car - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By gordon - March 1 - 10:46 pm

  Satisfied totally; small. powerfully fast truck. Some corrosion underneath because of salt - not a big deal but irritating. Overall very good car for those who like the outdoors.

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  Not Shabby - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By MWA3C - February 23 - 4:36 pm

  Bought this ISUZU RODEO based on looks and handling with 110,000 miles on her. Burns about 1qt of oil every 2500 miles or so using 15w40 (owners manual suggests 15w40 and up, go with it, 10w30 will just run right out of her). Overall not a bad truck, could use a little more HP under the hood but for a 3.0 L V6 its not horrible. The suspension is a bit hard on the back with not a lot of travel so you hit the frame bumpers often.. Overall I find long drives are really comfortable. Currently have 155,000 miles on it and still going strong. Regularly driven on 6 hour drives between states w/o issue.

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  THE GREAT ASCENDER - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By TERRY - January 21 - 7:16 am

  This vehicle has been great 70,000 Miles no major repairs 45,000 on set of tires and 60,000 on brakes City mileage 16MPG Highway as much as 23MPG The editors rating is off base, was $7,500 less than its sister Chevy. with double the warranty. Just needs a few more Isuzu dealers in north east ohio. No doubt the Best Bang for the Buck.

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  Love the Rodeo Sport! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By heidiincolorado - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive! Compact yet roomy. Wish it had better gas mileage but that goes with the territory if you get a V6. Seats very comfortable. Lots of cup holders. Great value and tons of options with this car! My husband has a 1989 Isuzu Amigo with 175,000 miles and he loves his. I am very happy with this purchase and I got a fantastic deal! Isuzu will work with you.

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  Great vehicle for all purposes - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rowdy-Mom - January 15 - 12:06 pm

  I can do anything in this truck. It looks good. Plenty of hwy power & pup. Climbs anything off-road, serious fun. Holds a ton of stuff. Pulls 3500 lb. trailer-load. Unfortunately, the alternator was undersized, so have had it rebuilt twice already. I like that its now actually smaller than many other SUV/crosses out there, which arent even really true 4WD. Gets 18-24 mpg. But, in the winter the mpg stinks, down to 14-18 with my studded snows in Colorado mtns. I dont understand why the resale is so low. Im the original owner, 11 years so far, 100K miles. Before this I had an 84 Trooper for 14 years which was also great, but gutless.

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  I love this car!! - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sheena G. - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, great features, nice exterior look, also powerful for a price tag of less than 25000!!

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  Worth the research - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By WorldMedic - January 14 - 10:00 am

  Previously owned a full size Bronco and Toyota 4Runner, both great vehicles but this Trooper outshines them both. Obvious Isuzu truck lineage equal to Toyota in design and build quality. Still impressed with engine performanceand brakeing. Luxurious refined leather interior holds up even with the German Pointers as regular passengers. 35,000mi on mine without a single problem, not even a rattle.

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  2000 Trooper 2WD - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By S Persinger - January 1 - 2:00 am

  We have had no problems with this vehicle to date. Back seat is extremely comfortable for the kids when traveling.