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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  super car - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By Mikhail - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Nice body. Not a lot of space in the back seat.

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  isuzu ascender - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By ascender - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable ride, lots of power, good off road capability, plenty of interior room, dual comfort controls for driver and passenger, seperate comfort controls for rear passengers, controls for radio, ac, etc. are very visible.

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  Da Bugga is Cherry - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mikiala - October 29 - 8:56 pm

  Ive had my Rodeo for little over a year now and Im pretty happy with it. For some reason my buttons on my steering wheel dont work as well as another Rodeo that we had test drove, but oh well. I think the exterior is definitely nice and if you throw some tires on and give it maybe a slight lift, the Isuzu Rodeo is a sick kick ride. I have to go back and forth on an uphill road and with its 3.5 liter V6, it doesnt disappoint. I love driving my Rodeo, although I may turn it in for a smaller car : (

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  Fan of Isuzu - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By texasheart - October 25 - 6:22 am

  I bought my 02 Axiom used in 05 with 12K miles on it. She now has 110K miles and is still going strong. She looks cool, is a great road trip car because shes so comfortable and has been completely reliable. I dont take exceptional care of my vehicles, but she keeps on going without any complaints or major issues. Im the type of person who trades up every 3 years, but Ive had this car for 5 and intend to keep her for a long time. My first Isuzu was an Amigo and Id still have it if I didnt let it run out of oil. Oops. My Axiom was the replacement.

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  Great wheels! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By rnobadger - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable & quiet ride.

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  future is here - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jagwr72 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Very different from any other SUV out there.Love the looks.Handels very nice on sport suspension mode, doesnt have that boaty feel others have(Grand cherokee, explorer...)

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  Excellent Truck - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Sniper - October 18 - 7:26 am

  Excellent truck. Bought it in 2001, still running. I spent around $1000 over 8yrs. Highly Recommend. The issues I have with this truck is rough drive compared to the Pathfinder.

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  THE BEST SUV - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By TROOPERMAN - October 16 - 8:40 am

  THE BEST SUV

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  Still running strong.... - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Quincunx - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck with about 11k miles on it, and Im now at about 78k. Other than the fuel gauge giving up the ghost about 10k miles ago, Ive had no major problems. Whether highway, city, or off-road, gas mileage stays steady at about 19.5 mpg. Compared to others in its price range (Xterra, etc.) the Rodeo seemed more solidly built. My fiancee and I have owned several Isuzus and have been quite satisfied with each one. I plan on keeping it quite a while yet! I would certainly consider buying another.

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  trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By dpgstein - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Good intown & off road use