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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  Do not recomend. - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sunshinegal - May 15 - 10:00 am

  My Isuzu has had an engine clicking noise since day one. I have used premium gas, had mechanics look at it... no fixing it. Recently have had to get the fuel pump replaced, new AC compressor and evaporator coil, back windshield wiper. All of which not covered by warranty. Go figure. The dealsership we bought from, went out of buisness- the one we went to after that, also went out of buisness so now i get services at Honda, because they have the passport. I am still having mechanical problems with the car. The car stalls intermentantly and then when re-cranked it stalls when the vehicle is put in drive or reverse. Very unreliable. Do not reccomend.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By jackie - May 15 - 4:10 am

  I did plenty of research and drove about every other van and suv that was a 7 seater. The Ascender is really a great vehicle. It is very roomy in all rows. IT is versatile with folding seats. Storage is better than any other SUV I tried. I have every option on mine and it is really nice and very enjoyable to drive. I had a minivan for 16 years and really am pleased with this change. I still have room for 7 people but it is a whole lot more fun to drive. The gas mileage is not great, but it is not much different than my older van. I get about 16 in the city and I got 19 on my first long trip. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Graet SUv - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Rochesterborn - May 7 - 2:00 am

  A great SUV - It is such a great looking vehicle. I drive from Upstate, NY to Maine in the winter and this truck does not fail to take me home safely.

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  Worst auto purchase of my life - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By JustTheFacts - May 5 - 10:03 am

  This SUV is a death trap with frequent mechanical and other problems. (Dont worry I do have one good thing to say (see below): Bad: 1. Brakes = ABS kicks in on dry pavement 2. Stability - slipping & sliding regardless of 2WD or TOD or 4WD selection (I mean slipping and sliding!) 3. Mechanical defects (jerky drive, shuts down while driving!, try starting a shut-down vehicle on a highway going at 55 mph) 6. They LIE about the mileage (mine gives 15mpg on the highway (and I am a slooow driver) 7. To lower back seats requires lifting the bench (seats), removing the neck support, finally lower the back 8. Removing and returning the spare tire - tow driver couldnt! Good: 1. Electric seat adju

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  This is a great car! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By John Barnes - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. I have had zero problems with it. The towing capacity is fantastic considering it is a smaller SUV. I have had the opportunity to tow a trailer that is over 2,000 pounds and you can hardly feel it. I love this SUV.

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  KC Fan of Rodeos - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Al Ayala - May 2 - 8:06 am

  I have driven my Rodeo for the last 4 years, with no problems at all. Besides oil changes and other types of preventive maintenance you have to do on all vehicles my Isuzu is tops. I had a problem with the fuel pump, but with the extended warranty I had on the vehicle it was taken care of immediately. After four years that is a pretty good track record in my book.

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  GREAT VALUE - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By MARK ELDRIDGE - April 25 - 10:00 am

  WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR USE AS A TOW VEHICLE. CONSIDERD A YUKON AS ALTERNATIVE ANDD FOUND THIS MORE COST EFFECTIVE. I FOUND ISSUZU STYLING AND TO BE BETTER THAN BOTH THE TRAIL BLAZZER OR ENVOY. WE OPTED FOR THE V8 AND IT RIDES FAR BETTER THAN THE 6 CYLIDER. WE ARE AVERAGING 18 MPG WITH A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF CITY DRIVING. WE FOUND THIS VEHICLE TO BE ABOUT $4,000 LESS THAN A COPERABLE TRAILBLAZER AND ABOUT $6,000 LESS THAN AN ENVOY. ISUZZU OFFERS DOUBLE THE STANDARD WARANTY OF CHEVY OR GMC. WE HAVE THE LIMITED EDITION WITH EVEY OPTION. BOSE STEREO IS GREAT.

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  Dont Waste Your Money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By karen white - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 Rodeo Sport is not worth the money. The 2wd is not a good one. In bad weather conditions the rear tires will spin even when the winter button is used. This button suppose to help grip the road better when first taking off. The braking system also is not good...although it has ABS brakes. The vehicle will take off if you let up on the gas pedal without applying pressing to the accelarator.

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  More Bang for the Buck - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Eskimo - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV for the price. Comparable SUVs would cost thousands more. Six months and 7,000 miles and no problems.

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  IT GREAT!!! - 2000 Isuzu Hombre
  By Ata Ben-Zona - April 13 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK is very good. i have had no problems with it so far (compared to my Viper SR-10). Im happy. It go on dert. It Great!