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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  Overall an "A" - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Larry B - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my Rodeo Sport for all the right reasons. I wanted the power of the V6 but better responsiveness than a sluggish larger type SUV. I feel it combines the best of both worlds.

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  Happy Camper - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By ridgerunner1 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Good room for a mid-size. Great throttle response and power but if you want to tow anything above 2000# you should look at something with a v-8 as mileage drops in half. Better in every way than same year four runner or pathfinder and still has japanese quality. Paid 19.5K with 4800 miles. Depreciation has still been bad. Suspension is mushy around town but libertys, yukons, and denalis cant keep up on washboard roads.

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  2001 Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Zd - September 22 - 10:00 am

  2001 Rodeo w/ 60,000 miles, has been nothing short of great for me. Interior looks kind of outdated, gas mileage not too good, but what I would excpect from an SUV

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  Very Nice - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Douglas - September 15 - 11:06 am

  This has been a pleasant purchase for me. As an owner of only small cars before I was not sure if I would like this vehicle but I have. I have had a few things repaired (all under warranty) and have no real major complaints. Its fun and comfortable to drive but not nearly as stable as a car. I never do anything abrupt for fear of losing control. Excellent in the snow and off road. Has a great stereo. even though it had to be replaced once. Have gone coast to coast with no problems.

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  Better than I Expected - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By JPQuick - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Pros- Build quality (rattle free!) Comfort (compliant suspension) Off road capability (4WD, limited slip) Warranty (10 years, 120k on powertrain) Financing (1.9% for 84 months!) Cons- Price / value Cloth upholstery (cheap fabric) Handling Notes- This vehicle provides a tremendous amount of feature content, but at a price. Invoice is about $4k too high. Steering response is probably a little below average for this class, but traction on the mud/snow tires is excellent. Build quality was unexpectedly good. More tightly constructed than my G35. Edmunds needs to re-evaluate this vehicle.

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  Great Light SUV - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By grobinson2 - September 3 - 11:40 pm

  I love my Isuzu and have beat the hell out of this thing. Rolled it once on ice, smashed into a fence post, and ran over the guard rail when I fell asleep on the way home one night. It keeps on ticking with out any issues except using some oil. Horrible gas mileage but other then that great SUV!

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  well built - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By smilies - August 15 - 2:00 am

  great truck that is very reliable and fun to drive, have had no problems, smoth rideing enigne

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  Great SUV - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Big Sexy - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I live in Charleston, SC and have seen only two other Ascenders on the road. I get looks every where I go. I know there will be others on the road soon, but Im going to enjoy it while it lasts. Its an SUV but doesnt drive or feel like one. You feel like you are driving a luxury vehicle.

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  My "Beater with a heater" - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By quagmire86 - August 8 - 2:55 am

  I bought this rig that ran but had an overheating problem. Previous owner said the water pump was bad. I paid $600 for it cuz it was in poor shape. I replaced the water pump and timing belt but it still overheated. Common problem with the Rodeo (3.2L)V6 were bad head gaskets. Since it was a project vehicle, I had time to work on it. I spent many weeks going from head to tail repairing/replacing issues with it. The SUV is somewhat unrefined (due to age) but I love driving it. Major issues with this car is the frame rusts out from rear axle back and is a recall/safety issue. I love my Rodeo and though I dont "Off-Road" with it, it is great even with 206,000 miles on it. Love it!

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  2000 LS-V6 - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By olaktal - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Maybe my comments will help some people with their purchase. I have a 2000 Rodeo V-6 LS. My main complaints would be rattles and ride quality. I changed the stock shocks to Monroe Sensi Tracs, huge improvement to ride and handling. I can deal with a few rattles for the excellent reliability and warranty. I do 20k miles a year and have only done oil changes. Powerful engine that goes with the fuel economy 18-21 is all I get. The Rodeo pulls trailers well and drives excellent on the highway. Factory stereo is crap, changed that immediately.