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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  My second Rodeo - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Lane - December 16 - 10:00 am

  I did a ton of research before I bought my latest Rodeo. My wife and I had to replace our 91 Rodeo after having driven it over 100k miles. I read consumer reports and did a lot of research on this site as well. For the money the Rodeo came out on top again. So we test drove it. Compared to everything in its class it was the hands down winner. Best things are the great seats and the great stereo we got w/ the 6 CD changer. Worst thing is the gas milage. Doesnt get 20+ MPG at 80 MPH (DUH!).

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  isuzu Axm xs - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By kenn - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very strong engine, fast, responsive, plenty of room for 5 adult passengers.

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  isuzu Axm xs - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By KenN - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very strong engine, fast, responsive, plenty of room for 5 adult passengers.

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  Not what I thought - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Joanne - December 9 - 5:06 pm

  I absolutely hate this truck. The drive is horrible and weak...it never has any type of pick-up whatsoever. My mothers 4 cylinder car has more pick-up and vroom than this thing! I cant stand driving it and havent even had it for a full year yet! Biggest mistake Ive made!!!

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  GOOD VALUE - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By KRYSTAL - December 9 - 4:56 pm

  Our large family was looking for the biggest nicest SUV for the money. My husband was looking at the Highlander and Pilot. The Highlander was too small inside. It was nice but too small and pricey. The Pilot, well the Honda dealership was horrible. All full of lies. The Pilot was a nice SUV but the price was way too much. I talked my husband into looking at the Ascender. At first he was still leaning towards the ighlander until I put them side by side. I won, lol. ItÂ’s roomy and drives nice. Plus the dealership was great. They gave us a good deal and was willing to drive the Highlander back to the pushy Toyota dealership. This is a nice SUV with a good warranty.

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  Solid and Reliable - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By morose - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Have had 2wd v-6 manual version for over five years and 100K miles with no problems. Fun to drive and practical for family and camping. Suspension does just fine for winding dirt roads, even with 2wd.

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  Moment of Truth - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Beverly Hills Axiom - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I had been looking at this SUV for over a full 2 months. I went to all other dealerships to check out their SUVs. I test drove the BMW, MERCEDES, LEXUS and ACURA. I just could not justify any of them with this vehicle. I mean, this SUV outperforms all of those namebrands by FAR. The warranty the comfort the reliability the pricing, oh my GOD, this is an amzing vehicle. I would recommend anyone out there to go and BUY THIS b4 it is too late. Isuzu has special 0% financing going on, you must TEST DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, and then just step on the gas, it overtakes just about any other mid-sized SUVs. In just under 8.9 seconds, it goes from 0 to 60 MPH.

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  Still truckin - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By HamSandwich - November 29 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my Trooper new in April 03 and have loved the experience other than the transmission had to be replaced at least 3 times. Since they put a rebuilt tranny in each time the dealer said that you never know how the quality would be. Luckily Ive had the warranty and will definitely get rid of the truck when it hits 120,000 miles although I would have preferred to keep it longer. I dont like the way it burns oil either.

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  Rodeo 2001 - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By transam402002 - November 21 - 9:26 am

  The worst part about this vehicle is the inflated price. A vehicle that costs $27000 is only worth, according to Nada and the Isuzu Salesmen, only $17000 a year later. According to all the books the vehicle only depreciates in value an average of 3000 a year. How does that work? Secondly, it takes forever to get used to the steering wheel and where it is situated. Thirdly, it is extremely loud when driving on the highway. You would think you are driving a soft top.

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  Burns oil - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Frank - November 17 - 3:53 pm

  We bought the trooper used. It runs just great. The problem is it Burns about a quart of oil each tank full of gas. Looked on the Internet after we bought it, tears and found the 1998 and 1999 troopers have an oil burning problem.