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:

• 

  Stunned How Solid This SUV is... - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By rforsyth - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I am Stunned How Good This SUV is, Smooth, Fast, OK Gas for 230 HP 19-21 MPG on Highway at 70 Plus. Tows well Great set up of Controls. Attractive, Get MANY Compliments about it especially in Metallic Black color. The Differance between this and The Rodeo is Night and Day and for Only 2K More. NOT Tippy as some SUVs Make You Feel from a Passanger seat. VERY VERY Pleased with My purchase! I dont know Panned This Vechical But I Think they should re-think what they had to say.

• 

  Great vehicle so so service - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By Jabber71 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Had the Trooper for 49,000 miles & the only problem is the service at the dealership. Not trained well in Isuzus

• 

  Very Pleased with the Trooper - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By JADE - September 29 - 10:00 am

  So far I have driven this vehicle two thousand plus miles. I have not had any problems, and like the way it handles, ride, and feel it is a quality vehicle.

• 

  NO MORE BIRDS! (for dinner that is...) - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Yabbadabbadoit - September 29 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is neat because it is different from others. However, I have to say I am sick of reading how awsome it handles, like a car. This toaster, that was wrongly named "Axiom" blows all over the road with the slightest gust. It does pull my boat, witch is nice. Too bad my boat is easier to drive in a straight line. If you dont let it warm up, it hessitates, even backfires. maybe I got a dud who knows. My advice, go with a different manufacturer.

• 

  Good Value - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By henry - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Great little SUV. Lots of power and best value for the money. No need to spend $30K+ for an SUV when you can buy a Rodeo. This is my third Isuzu. My 1988 Trooper had over 212000 miles when I sold it. My 1993 Rodeo has 114,000 miles and I still love it.

• 

  Fun, nice, but big time $$$ to drive - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Michael - September 16 - 1:00 pm

  Nice suv, I liked it from the moment I saw it but...

• 

  A better engine could improve a lot! - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By TicoJax - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for about 8 months. I think 2.2 engine is not strong enough to handle the size of vehicle. Fuel is 20.5 mpg, which is good for a SUV. It has a noise engine when you accelerate. Interior is just average, it could be much better.

• 

  Good fun vehicle - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Egalmag - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Never had to have it back to the dealer, it is still fun to drive.

• 

  Cant fix the problems!!!! - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sillyisuzu - September 11 - 3:31 pm

  At first loved the car. Bought it new in 2005. However, after two years of ownership, the car would fail to start. It would begin to turn over, then cut off. I have to reset the auto door locks for it to start, and even then sometimes it wont, and its not the starter. It also burns oil and I have to check the oil levels weekly. The engine light has come on, and no one can tell me what the code means! The engine also regularly sticks in first gear and the engine whines, then finally engages. I had the tranny serviced, but they tell me there is no problem. Finally, the key design completely stinks! You can program the fob to open the door, but cant find anyone to program it to start the car.

• 

  The worst - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By ruffneck1981 - September 10 - 7:46 pm

  I got this June 27,2009, this car leaks oil everywhere, it drinks gas 16 mpg. It will cost u 10 dollars a day in gas on your commute 46 miles. Am sorry I brought this SUV, cant wait to get rid of it.