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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  Great fun reliable vehicle - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Loved it!!! - August 11 - 5:20 pm

  I loved this SUV. NEVER once failed me. There was only one problem with it that had something to do with the axles but the mechanics could never figure it out. Even the small things that couldnt be fixed, it never failed to start up and drive anywhere. I could tell it was starting to die though, at only 93000 miles. It didnt have much longer to go. It was very well taken care of, i just dont believe theyre meant to last very long.

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  I love it! - 2003 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Brandi - August 6 - 6:43 am

  I love it. I traded my tiny Camaro in for this lovely SUV. This is actually our 2nd Rodeo to own and we love it. I like the length of the warranty. It covers just about everything that could go wrong. We had a Honda Passport and although they resemble each other they are nothing like each other. The Honda was a LEMON but our Rodeo is an Angel. The interior is nice and roomy and the seats are very comfy (we do NOT have lumbar support, you only need that if you are like 100 years old). The trunk area is large enough to hold all of our luggage for family vacations plus some and then we still have the luggage rack on top. I love the size of the vehicle because its not small but not big.

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  Excellent - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By ricrado - August 3 - 3:20 am

  I am 56" and 167 lb for me this is the best car ever, the only thing I dont like too much is that jumps to much when go in to a bump or something like it. I make a trip of 210 miles and I only use 13 gallons of gas = 21 mpg hwy city 16

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  Love My Ascender - 2007 Isuzu Ascender
  By desertdog - July 31 - 6:26 am

  We have had our ascender more than 2 years so far, and we love it. It has a great smooth ride, and is pretty much a rebadged trail blazer. The car literally is labeled GM everywhere except on the hood, and the steering wheel.

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  Gone too soon - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By yaboiaj1 - July 30 - 9:55 pm

  I had just bought my trooper automatic wasnt an option up there neway it was used 135k + mi. and I was paying for a little over a year I had I believe 3 more payments left and it threw a rod or whatever to me it wasnt worth the fix. We had a love hate relationship. Ill never forget driving away from it looking through the rearview for the last time. I never saw it again there was a terrible ticking noise in the engine everywhere I went I constantly had people saying you need oil took it to the shop they said I didnt but something was obviously wrong Ive been car less for a year I truely miss my trooper but I honestly wouldnt recommend it to anyone

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  Good Value - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Ron - July 28 - 10:06 pm

  Good value for the money, no problems after two years, good smooth car like ride with plenty of power.

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  2001 Isuzu Trooper Limited - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By beanson - July 26 - 8:03 am

  Foxfire Red Mica Limited Trooper. This is the second Trooper we have owned (had a 1992 LS) and overall it is a good car. Power if adequate, faster than 4Runner and other japanese SUVs (except the MDX and 240HP QX4)The design is older but ages gracefully. Shop around though because $38,000 can buy a lot of other SUVs with more prestigous names (ML320, Qx4, MDX)

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  Nice Inexpensive SUV - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sl - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I like it a lot, and its worth the price. The only beef I have is with the cruise control: it doesnt hold the speed, has an upward creep. Had instances where it was going up by as much as 3 mph, even after hitting coast button several times.

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  Nice Inexpensive SUV - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By SL - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I like it a lot, and its worth the price. The only beef I have is with the cruise control: it doesnt hold the speed, has an upward creep. Had instances where it was going up by as much as 3 mph, even after hitting coast button several times.

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  Hardcore Trooper Fanatic!!! - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By arktrooper - July 23 - 4:13 am

  It has become very acceptable to "slam" the Trooper as old technology, too expensive, etc. If you look closely, though, you find a DOHC 24V V6, drive-by-wire throttle, variable induction, coil-over-plug direct ignition, four-wheel discs, ABS and TOD (full time) 4WD. I purchased my 2000 S Auto/TOD /w/ several options for $22,309 in 9/2000. The sticker was $30,284. While its definately a truck, its a very refined one and its quicker than a 4Runner!