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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  Watch out for 50,000 miles! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By KathyG - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I now have to replace the A/C compressor on my rodeo, LSE. The total cost $1,300. Ironic that my vehicle just past 50,000 miles and the warrenty no longer applies. I should have purchased the Honda, and will do so in the future. For purchasing a fully loaded vehicle, I am not pleased with having to put that high cost of service in it when its less than 3 years old, and its been serviced regularly.

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  Isuzu Fan deeply disappointed - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Penny Conners - June 28 - 7:16 pm

  After owning a Rodeo for 8 yrs with 160,000 trouble free miles. I was excited about my new Ascender. Noticed roaring noise from start and noted with dealership and Isuzu new owner survey. By March whole new rear end was installed. Still roars as of 6/2005. Dealership still waiting on tools? Oil sending unit now bad and on order. Dealership is a nightmare and the Owner Assistance hotline with Isuzu useless! Im a very disappointed owner who is no longer a fan. Shame on Isuzu!

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  I should have steered clear - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Lean_Rabbit - May 5 - 7:16 pm

  This Rodeo has more problems than any car Ive ever owned! Burning oil, bad trasmission, brake replacement often, bad electronic everything, including the moonroof, the 6 CD changer and the master door panel, which we had to replace after owning the SUV for only a month. I loved driving it for the comfort, when I COULD drive it! Warranty doesnt cover half of this stuff! Very comfortable and roomy though.

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  Good on paper, but.... - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By reed jones - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Going on 4 years, replaced engine under warranty (just barely), otherwise OK. Gives off very musty odor from AC (?!?), lots of creaks and rattles, loud road noise, lousy seats. Great off- road, fun to bang around in, but not reliable and not refined at all. Wouldnt buy another Isuzu.

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  good car bad problems - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mtnman - February 5 - 2:00 am

  i loved it for the first 3 yrs. lots of (real) off road in nv mtns & desert very capable off road, goes where some jeeps will not.Loud on the road. Abs sensor replaced @ 18 mo. Motor blew up @ 75000 mi. Dealer told me it was a common problem w/ Isuzu "you either get a good one, or you get a bad one" I got a bad one. lucky for me I bought the extended warrenty. took 8 wks to replace engine.There were 6 new isuzu in for new motors at the same time. WHY???

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  Isuzu Axiom - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By mandi - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I began leasing my 2002 Isuzu Axiom 8/01. At that time there was not much info on the vehicle. I am satisfied with appearance of the car, and the interior is comfortable, however there have been some problems which will prevent me from continuing to drive it when my lease is up. I believe the price is a bit high for what you get. There is a lot of rattling and noise coming from the dash. Also, there is some paint discoloration. The engine will also become very loud when the air conditioning is used. The ride can also be very bumpy. I will shop around a bit more next time.

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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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  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.

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  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.

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  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.