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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  What You Want? - 2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS
  By Delta D - April 9 - 2:33 am

  In your face fashion statement for some - but underneath its heart is covered in mud. Im from Africa and worked as Expedition Guide for several years. We travel Africas worst roads year round - from Cape Town (southern tip of Africa) all the way up as far as Egypt, through the deserts and jungles (which makes the Darienne Gap look like a normal workday in the rainy season). Isuzu together with Toyota are the KINGS for durability and reliability (it does not matter WHAT Landrovers spin doctors say). Drove it 2300 miles in 48 hours once - was a pleasure even on the blacktop. The Vehicross is like a (stubby) pig in mud out there - it is a pity to see it in captivity and out of production.

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  last chance - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By YPMS 82190 - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Im about to purchase trooper #4. Too bad they wont make em any more after this year(big mistake). Ive logged over 200,000 miles, without any real problems. That big long warranty is a farce, nothing ever breaks. My first trooper withstood a collision that would have killed all occupants in most other vehicles, but I walked away. The visibility allows you to maneuver this behemoth as though it were a bicycle. I like the ride, and the power is adequate. The seats are far better than any comparable SUV.

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  Reliable and low operation cost - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By CTMIAMI - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle now has 30K miles and I have not have any problens that required repairs. It is fast and easy to drive. It is now getting a little bouncy.

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  Solid, Reliable Truck - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Bob - March 29 - 3:43 am

  After 4 years and 70,000+ miles I have nothing but good things to say about this truck. One point I will make, though, is that the Rodeo is a truck. That can be good or bad depending on your needs. For my needs, it is excellent. It tows well, has plenty of power, negotiates snowy roads extremely well (and off-road, for that matter). Any complaints about a rough ride and low fuel economy can be attributed to any 4x4 truck. My Subaru rides great and gets 27 mpg but it couldnt pull the hair off of a wet dog. Thats my two cents. Oh, and with 92,000 miles and 2 trips across the country (loaded down, avg 18mpg), its still running as strong as ever. Great truck.

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  Still Love My Trooper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Philbrah - March 29 - 12:16 am

  This is the second writeup Ive done for my Trooper since buying it 5/2003 with 52k miles. The truck has been easily the most dependable vehicle Ive owned and that has been over 30 vehicles. Its still one of the most comfortable, dependable, off-road ready vehicles available today and it carries people and cargo with room to spare. Yes, it burns approximately 1 quart of oil every 2-3k miles, but Ive owned Jeeps, BMWs, Toyotas that did the same. Use Seafoam and watch it, you wont have any engine problems. Yes, gas mileage is about 15-16mpg, but Ive hit 18mpg on the highway. If you want the real 4WD, buy a Trooper. If not, buy an Explorer.

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  Happy so Far - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Jung - March 28 - 8:20 pm

  Bought new in 2001. Our Rodeo has been a good truck so far. Minimum problems. Only 1 warranty repair (engine sensor)and one repair after warranty (abs sensor). Great family vehical. Nice handling for SUV, good power. Have noticed some salt damage on rims. Depreciation was very bad first year, but looks to be stablizing. Would recommend if to someone buying used.

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  solid value - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By integrity - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Isuzu make some of the most dependable suvs in the worl. Ive had a rodeo, trooper and now the best of all; an axiom. I would recommend it over other suvs in its price class. Better handling, acceleration, and traction than trooper or jeep cherokee in my opinion of course.

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  Love It - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By MsKittey - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I havent even had my Axiom a week, and I love it. I was geared towards the Rodeo due to the price, till I saw the Axiom, Sold me before I even took a test drive. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a SUV!

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  Great SUV - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Ultie - March 23 - 2:10 am

  Great SUV and very dependable. But local dealership refuses to fix broken warranty part that they broke. Local dealership repair is useless.

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  Not an explorer - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Axme a question - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Pros: -Fun to drive... -Decent power and brakes. -TOD is a great feature for everyone. -Often mistaken for an Audi $$$. -Trailer towing no problem. -Smooth shifting. Cons: -Low interior headroom takes getting used to. -Rear access is tough for adults, ok for adult short rides once your seated. -Need a hard hat for the lift gate becuase it does not raise high enough. -Auto lock feature not available. -You must remove the rear seat headrest to fold the cargo area flat, what were they thinking??? -Average higway mileage is 17- 19mpg...ouch -The zero % financing was the deciding factor in this purchase.