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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  Edmunds research is primitive! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Former Trooper Owner - July 4 - 10:00 am

  A Hot Rod in Wolfs clothing. Smooth awesome power and great handling. Feels like a shot of Nitrous when that dual induction kicks in at 3800 RPM. Drives like a sports car with a total in control feeling all of the time. Just turned 7500 miles and I know the next 112,500 miles of the warranty period will be just as trouble free. It just feels right! Many compliments on the tan cloth interior and the instrumentation is great. I drive in the Sport mode most of the time but the Soft ride on the highway is almost Lincoln like. I ask my Lady Friend if she had anything to add and she said "Just a cool car, thats all."

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  Great Buy - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jdifranco27 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Not sure why there arent more of these on the road. My wife and I have had the car for two years with no problems. Great fun SUV.

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  I Like It - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Christophe - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had no problems so far, the vehicle has good power and acceleration, just plain fun to drive (especially off-road)

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  Buy One - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mr.Rodeo - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Dont listen to the professional critics, take the word of somebody whos owned one for 3+ years. Just traded in the 2001 Rodeo Sport for the 4Door model(expecting child). As impressed with this one as I was the previous model. This one seems to have a smoother ride than the sport though. The warranty speaks for the reliability of the vehicle. Do you really think a car company would place a 7/75k mile warranty on a vehicle that always needed service...Thus the reason Chevy n Ford only offer 3/36k. Yes we had a few problems w/ our 2001, but nothing that wasnt covered by the warranty. The real selling point for this vehicle is the price. $20,500! Loaded, this thing compares to a Pathfinder.

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  D.O.A. 2004 Axiom - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Abbey - June 21 - 5:30 pm

  We previously owned an Isuzu Rodeo which we had almost 300,000 miles when we sold it. It was still running great so we decided to purchase another Isuzu. The Axioms were being discontinued so we got a bargain on it. The car now has 71,000 miles on it and has been in for repair twice within the last six months for the same problem. No warning lights come on, but the engine starts to make a strange noise and stops. Both times the vehicle was almost completely out of oil with no warning whatsoever. It shows no signs of leaking underneath and is not exhausting black smoke. The dealers have been vague in diagnosing the problem. I believe the car is cursed and has been a lemon all along.

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  My Blessing - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Ebonyj30 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I like this vehicle very much. Its a comfortable & enjoyable machine and quite pleasing to the eye. I have no problems with the interior seats as mentioned in Reviews. They are comfortable and appealing in appearance.

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  Nice SUV for the price - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Shar - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I think the rodeo is very good for its price, even though it has a few drawbacks, every vehicle does. The seatback latch cover fell off, the plastic peice that covers the door light came off, I do get a squeak somewhere (dont know where). The ride is a little rough, but compared to an expedition where my head hit the ceiling when i went over a pothole...its not too bad. The power is good, but not excellent. Kinda sluggish on the highway. The breaks are efficient enough, even though I get the anti lock shake, as i call it every now and again. The handling is a little on the looser side, but not enough to really make a difference.

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  Watch Out For Resale - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Previous Owner - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I loved my rodeo but when i decided to get a Toyota 4Runner I didnt get alot back paid-$22,000 got-$8,700 back. miles-36,000 in 3and 1\2 years. p.s. WATCH OUT!!!

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  I love my Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By yellowbird - June 1 - 3:33 pm

  I have driven across the U.S. every year in Oct. and Nov, for the last 20 years, My Trooper is the best winter driver of all the autos, pickups & SUVs I have owned. Only have 55,000 miles on this Trooper, We have other vehicles we drive when at home. We have not spent any money (except for normal maintenance, oil, tires, etc.) on this auto. Can not think of any other auto, pickup, or SUV we have owned that has given us as much driving safety or pleasure as this Trooper.

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  Biggest mistake I ever made. - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By F Long - May 29 - 10:56 pm

  I purchased this car in Oct 06. It has been in the shop 4XS for transmission problems, just had trans overhauled as of today still not fixed. I only put 6000 miles on it because I never get to drive it. Its always in the shop for weeks at a time. It rides like an elephant, very bumpy ride. If they ever fix it Im trading it in ASAP. I will never buy a Rodeo again. Exterior looks great but dont be fooled. If you see it on the dealership lot, run the other way as fast as you can.