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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  Pretty good SUV for the money - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By mikeae747 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had only one re-occurring problem, a clunck in the rear end that need to be lubricated by the dealer every 2 oil changes besides that this SUV has been problem free since we purchased it. The leather seats are not very confortable for long drives but are OK for short distances.

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  Good Value - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Edwin Lowe - September 10 - 2:26 am

  We have had it 2 months so the story still remains to be told, but we bought it because of the superior longevity and performance of our former SUV, an Isuzu Trooper. So far we have been thrilled with the Ascender. It was more reasonably priced and better warranty than other 7 passenger SUVs we priced.

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  99 Rodeo - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By fzap - September 10 - 12:03 am

  This auto has been very dependable. Winter and Power buttons in undesirable place. Would like longer sun visors. Havent had any difficulties with this car. All in all, if I were to buy another SUV, Id consider another Rodeo.

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  4 X 4 - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Paco - September 3 - 10:00 am

  My Rodeo performs well but seems to have a lot of minor little problems. The interior fell apart rather fast. Air vents broke, the console latch broke and doors in the cargo area warped rather fast. I have also had trouble keeping the front end aligned and as a result I have gone through three sets of tires in three years. When really pushing the engine up hill the engine "pings" even with premium gas. Which brings me to the biggest problem, the gas milage is really bad! But even with all of the little stuff that bugs me, I have enjoyed the car. It has been very reliable, goes great in the snow, and the ride is good too.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By HENRY - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive and it has a lot of power, especially if you press the "Power" button. Appears to be a bit smaller than my 1994 Rodeo, especially in the back.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Henry - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive and it has a lot of power, especially if you press the "Power" button. Appears to be a bit smaller than my 1994 Rodeo, especially in the back.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Lou Lou - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a new 2002 LSE Rodeo! I actually went to the dealership dead set on the Axiom, but after driving the Axiom, I didnt feel it was very comfortable. I tried the Rodeo and fell in love with it! It is absolutely the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. I traded in a loaded 1999 Honda Accord and I like the Rodeo 10x better! It drives much smoother than the Honda did; it feels more like the ride/drive of the Toyota Camry. My mom owns the LEXUS SUV, and I actually think the ride of the Rodeo is more comfortable!

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  Think Twice - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By rcasti01 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the vehicle because of the distinct design, leather color interior and quality. But after just 1 year of driving this particular vehicle it has been in the shop 4 times. Twice becuase of electrical problems and twice for interior pieces falling apart. In-fact on the driver door panel the bottom paneling is coming off, so Ill have to return it back to the dealership. The MSRP was a little under 30K, with a 4K dealer discount plus my GM discount... I bought on impulse. Ive havent been to happy with my descision.

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  Trooper; Big Bang for your Buck - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By Truxillo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Our family bought a White LS 4x4. For our family this is not just a car, it truley is a recreation vehicle. We take far out into the mountains, deserts. My wife likes the heated seats, I have gone over logs and my CD player doesnt skip, and we know our two year old is safe in this +2 Ton vehicle (consider the extra $ for low gas mileage an insurance). We paid $25,500.00 for our LS Trooper. An equivelent 4Runner would be about $8K more (that goes into Davids college fund).

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  Cream of the Crop!!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By Dan Banapoochi - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This suv is the best I ever owned and I had them all. I got rid of my Hyuindi sante fe to buy this and it was like night and day. I would compare this with a Toyota 4 runner without the extra cost to buy. For a suv it is surprisingly comfortable and it handles well. Would highly recomend to anyone who is looking for a Suv.