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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  Lota Bang for the Bucks - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By rcopa2 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  You sure get alot for the money. The interior is great, lot of nice touchs. Excellent fit and finish. Feels and looks well put together. Its just loaded with features, feels like a high end suv. Its even got a full alloy spare. I really like all the stainless and chrome touchs inside and out. Its not for everyone but I am really enjoying this Isuzu.

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  Reliably Different - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By T Murray - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Does not look like other SUVs which I prefer. Over 30K Miles and not one problem of any type. Cross country trip in winter 2003 Seattle to Boston averaged 21.4 mpg on reg gas with car loaded to max. Torque on Demand 4 wheel drive system great in Ice and snow. Wife commuted in Boston winter weather in 04 without a problem. Dual mode suspension great for freeway flats or in the mountains. Went from a Mitsu Montero to Axiom for better milage and performance and like the size better. No recalls no problems, decent milage for 4 wheel drive. What more can I ask for. Definitely under-rated by writers.

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  A Great Small SUV - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By dharley - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Axiom 2 months ago and absolutely love it and the dealership was fabulous!

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  Perfect SUV for us! - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Emily - October 5 - 10:00 am

  What are the folks at Edmunds.com talking about?! My husband and I went SUV shopping months ago, and the Rodeo by far is still a great bargain, costing thousands less than competitors. I absolutely love my SUV, and although we dont have kids yet, we still use the versatility of this SUV. I wanted a 4Runner initially, but it was a ripoff, and cramped. THIS is the SUV to buy!

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  Ascender review - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By Bkel - September 25 - 4:06 am

  Drives well. Lots of fun. Seems to be an electrical issue with lights dimming at random. Also, the check engine light comes on periodically. Already had battery replaced and light still coming on! Hope this doesnt turn into 7 trips to the dealership like the other review. The paint on the radio controls coming off. This is my first Isuzu and Im still kinda on the fence whether Ill purchase another one.

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  Ascender the Undiscovered Gem - 2003 Isuzu Ascender
  By her suv - September 22 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a large SUV to transport 7 adults comfortable while riding in the lap of luxury, then the Ascender is for you. The exterior and interior designs are well defined and impressive. This SUV does everything but brew your coffee in the morning. The mileage is very good, I am averaging 18.5 in city driving. The warrantees on the Ascender are better than almost all other large SUVs.

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  Problems... - 2000 Isuzu Trooper
  By kansastiger - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had a lot of problems with this vehicle. It has been in the shop a lot over the last 3 years, torque converter problems, shorted wire in the 4 WD area, to a blown engine. Thats right, my engine started a loud knocking on a trip. Who knows what the problem was, the dealership said it was out of oil, but I religiously change and check my oil. I checked it immediately after the problem started and the oil level was fine. Anyway, Isuzu replaced the engine at their expense, but I was without a vehicle for 10 days. Now I have a rattle coming from the 4 WD area and Isuzu wont fix it since I am out of my warantee period.

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  Bad, Bad Bad. - 2000 Isuzu Rodeo
  By lalas - September 13 - 11:20 pm

  This is the worst SUV anyone can have. I bought my rodeo used and after a few days I had the CHECK ENGINE light on whenever the gas tank is not full. The gas gauge keeps moving to the direction of what turn I make, and to add insult to injury, the engine sounds like you have your foot on the gas even when you have it in park.

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  Four Years With My Rodeo - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By huntly - September 13 - 7:10 am

  No problems other than characteristic fuel usage common to these type vehicles. Two cross country trips, coast to coast, were fine. Minor alignment problem taken care of by dealer. Great drivetrain warranty not required. After 4 years, I have no regrets other than the failure of the brand to flourish. I previously owned a 1988 Trooper and it was my all-time favorite vehicle. I hated to trade it in, but the time was right. Owned it for 130,000 self maintained miles. While old Trooper was heavy in the maintenance required, the Rodeo has nothing to do, but drive and enjoy. It is so much more in power and great handling than old Trooper. Bad image undeserved. I am a happy owner on 10 year plan.

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  BEWARW!!! Stay Away from 98-02 Rodeos. MAJOR SAFTEY RECALL!! - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By eroeder7966 - September 11 - 2:41 pm

  Ive owned my 01 Rodeo LS since 06. Got it with 58,286 miles. To this day looks and runs like new with the exception of check engine light caused buy sending unit. Love the truck. But on November 23,2010 while traveling 40mph the bracket connecting the trailing arm to the frame broke away causing the vehicle to sway out of control. This problem is common to 90-95% of all 98-02 Isuzu Rodeos, Axioms and Honda Passports. Both manufactures havea fix for the brackets, however these fixes will only work on a small percentage of the affected vehicles due to excessive frame rust. My 01 Rodeo with only 81,192 miles was deemed unrepairable Isuzu is now in the process of buying it back for only $4500.