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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  ROTTEN EGG SMELL - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By tami j - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Immediately after purchasing the vehicle we noticed a rotten egg smell from the exhaust and have had it in 3 times to be investigated and to no avail, the dealer says that Isuzu says it is a "normal" smell for their engine and there is nothing I can do about it, besides reducing the sulfur content in my gasoline. The suspension is horrible in this vehicle and the steering nearly requires 20 turns to pull a sharp turn off. Overall, we are not happy with this vehicle at all and our hands are tied because the value dropped by $8,000.00 in value 4 months after our purchase.

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  cheap power - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By dollar - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Have had my RODEO for two years and am very suprised of how fast it has depreciated, I guess I got what I paid for. The interior of the truck just screams out cheap. When you feel and see the thin plastic material that ISUZU used for the dash and other parts. I have not had any major problems, exept I had to change my rear break shoes within 40,000 miles. Good power for small truck. Air conditiong seems to take forever to kick in. You will find yourself like a bobble-head when the road gets bumpy. Sleeping policemen (speed bumps)seem to be a little too much for this truck. If you dont mind cheap interior, rough ride, poor mpg, then this truck is for you.

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  Ill never buy another Isuzu! - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Frustrated in VA - July 6 - 10:00 am

  In a nutshell, capable on and off-road but a real maintenance nightmare. Have replaced a/c 3 times, horn/airbag unit twice, alternator, generator, battery cable, water pump, EGR valve and seal, purge valve solenoid, intake gasket, rear wiper motor, rear door lock 3 times, rear passenger door lock, right rear ABS sensor, plus a dozen factory recall items. Im now a rental car expert.

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  Engine and transmission - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By WYODRIVER - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Complete transmission failure at 36,000 mi. and engine failure at 50,000. Both were replaced under warranty. Lots of room and performs reasonably well in the snow.

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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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  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!

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  Seriously think before buying one of these - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By AhhhIsuzuCars - December 14 - 10:56 am

  Disclaimer: Never buy from a person. I have had this car only 8 months and it has been AWFUL. I have had to replace the brakes, replace the transmission, then have it rebuilt, replace the tires, abs sensor, transmission mode switch, cables, EGR valve, there was a transmission leak, wheel bearings, 2 plugs, timing belt, water pump... the lists goes on and on. Ive reached my last straw. Its now in the shop for the computer in the car about 800.00-1,000.00 I bought the car for 6,000 - RIP OFF - and put more than that into fixing it! Seriously think before buying one of these. It was supposed to be a late b-day present! HA! Best one ever. DONT BUY FROM A PERSON!

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  okay - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mom22 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  My husband needed to trade in his lease truck and I wanted to upsize from a sedan (Camry). My husband saw it on the lot and jumped in without looking. My husband loves the Rodeo. I am patiently waiting for a minivan now. I hate how it drives! Who knew that a rough off road handling meant city streets. AND not to mention the noise level.

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  New models = bad news - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By SWC - November 30 - 10:00 am

  This was the first year this body style came out so there were many trips to the dealership for recalls....at least 10. Issuses: the paint on the rims started coming off a year after buying it. The interior is less than comfortable and there is no lighting inside. No glove compartment light, no map lights, no key lights, well ok, one dim dome light in the center. As for repairs, ive had to replace the ABS module($450) and the breaks have NEVER been right. I tried the dealership but they couldnt "duplicate" my problem. Midas wanted $1,000 for the repairs. The rear windshield wiper broke as well. I will NOT purchase another rodeo ever.

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By navi8or - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Worst car I ever owned. Constant warranty breakage, then a lot more breakdowns as soon as the cheesy warranty was expired. Depreciated so fast I was upside down for most of the duration of my car loan, and spent more time in the shop than in my garage.