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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  Trooper - 2001 Isuzu Trooper
  By GeorgeV - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Good, reliable track, nice image, a lot of cargo space. Price. Did not have any problem.

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  gas guzzzzzler - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By hmmm - November 23 - 2:00 am

  The ride is smooth and quiet. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of room. I noticed the bouncy ride on rough pavement. Very bad on gas mileage. I would recommend the Rodeo if gas mileage is no concern!!

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  To new to know long time - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By rtaft - November 22 - 10:00 am

  My first impressions are strong. I do about 50/50 miles on the highway and local driving. The sport suspension and power switch allows me to get on the highway,as fast as my Chyrsler 300m. The looks are unique... So far so good..I like it R taft South Florida

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  Value - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By nichole - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The value of this car is terrible. After a year and a half with my car, the value is a little less than half of the purchase price. And those offers are from several dealerships.

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  Best vehicle I have ever owned - 2004 Isuzu Axiom
  By Lee Centner - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has great performance without sacrificing fuel mileage. I regularly get 24-25 mpg on the highway and 17-20 mpg in town. It is very comfortable and fun to drive and I have yet had any maintenance problems. This with the great looks make it the best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  2003 Envoy Limited - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By mark076 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Was Looking for a GMC Envoy but the Isuzu had a much better exterior kit on it.

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  Terrible car - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By chels - November 17 - 11:00 pm

  I bought a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo last August, this car has given me so much trouble. I have had to replace the starter, tires several times, 2 door latches, EGR valve, throttle position sensor, headlight assembly kit. I have tried to keep up the maintenance on this car and it is a money pit. I love driving it, and I love the comfort of the interior, but this is just not a reliable car. Also, the car idles very high around the 3 rpms in park and around 2 in drive and reverse.

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  Never had a Problem - 2000 Isuzu Hombre
  By 4Pawz - November 16 - 12:16 pm

  This was my first car (well, truck). I have never had any major repairs (knock on wood!!). MPG average for my truck (mixture of city and highway) is 21!! I frequent trips from MA to NY and NH and have never broken down. I bought the truck from a private party, and older man, who had crashed it once and had the front right end reconstructed, I have never had any problems with that. I also bought it with a cap, which I highly recommend if you put luggage in there (moving back and forth from college didnt get it wet), or if you bring your dog along (I prefer my dog in the front seat if space allows), or if people think your truck bed is a trash barrel (thats aggravating)!!

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  A good-looking headache - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Rowdeeyo - November 16 - 12:06 am

  I am an 18 year old college freshman. I got this car senior year (last year) because its a 4 1/2 hour drive to and from home and school. I got this car thinking that it would be a good, reliable vehicle. Unfortunately, Im now stuck with an oil-burning mess that depreciates alarmingly fast. Ill fix one thing, only to have two more problems emerge. This car is so frustrating. I do like the power. I have to check my speedometer often, because if I dont, I find myself going way too fast. I also like the manual transmission. I do enjoy the rarity of a stick shift midsize SUV. The shifter is really long and the clutch is awkward, but hey, its a truck. I expected that.

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  ISUZU RODOE LSE - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By EDDY - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I HAD THIS TRUCK FOR THREE YEARS I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGAIN HARNESS THE COMPUTOR ALL AT MY COST THEY SAY THE TRUCK COMES WITH 7YEARS 70.000 MILES ID LOVE TO SEE IT THISE WAS MY FIRST ISUZU AND MY LAST BILLY