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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  2002 Rodeo - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jbauman - June 14 - 11:16 am

  I like it a lot - and it tows 5000 pounds on level ground with no trouble at all. Hills can be a challenge, but then again, Im at max towing capacity. Except for two nagging problems, its been very reliable. One problem is a persisten check engine light (PO440 code, a known problem), and two failures of the accumulator piston seal on the transmission (another common problem). Both fixed under warranty.

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  Beware! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By bmprigge - June 5 - 5:50 pm

  Ive had this car for a little over two years and it is in the shop again for a blown engine. The last time, it had an issue with the engine and it completely seized, this time a rod shot through the block. Its a pain having to have it in the shop so often (I had to get a new transmission in it about 6 months ago) but I cant bring myself to trade it in because I LOVE DRIVING IT!! I would say that if you can find one, buy it (but make sure you get an extended warranty).

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  one hella of suv - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By jimmie l - June 5 - 2:00 am

  two years not one problem..runs and rides like a charm..18/22 miles to gallon..I bought this vehicle with every option including leather for 21,300 out the door..it was a steal... Isuzu should shoot its add guy for marketing this vehicle all wrong..ps they also put roof rack on free

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  Perfect college SUV - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Cherryl - June 4 - 10:00 am

  My parents wanted me to have an SUV for college because it was safer (better visibility) and had more cargo room. We looked at the competition, but the Rodeo Sport looked great and was the best value! I have used my RS for long road trips to college as well as around town, and absolutely love it. So far, no reliability problems and it still looks AWESOME! "Professional" critics knock the ride, but come on ITS A TRUCK. Not everybody has one, so I get lots of comments from friends- good ones! It fits all my cargo easily. Did I mention that this SUV looks awesome? Overall, the RS has been practical and fun for this college gal.

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  Solid - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By Stronty - June 4 - 10:00 am

  The Trooper is one solid machine, its got plenty of power and gets great mileage between 19 and 20 mpg with the manual transmission- damn good for the amount of power and the size. Visibility is fantastic, even with the stripped down s model you get so much standard, stuff thay toyota and honda charge mucho buck to add at the dealership. Im hard to impress and the Trooper performs admirably. THis is one tough and well built truck.... demand more... the Trooper delivers.

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  Fun to drive - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By M beck - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought the vehicle with 10,000 miles and now have over 55,000 miles. I added a towing package and find very little problems. I like the interior and exterior design. The replacement items have been the ABS modulator and keyless remote over four years.

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  Dont let the Reviews fool you! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By srad - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I have only owned this vehicle a few weeks but have managed to take it down curved roads, dirt and graveled roads, highway, rain, etc. This is a great vehicle. Most reviews I have read didnt like the gas mileage-Compared to what? Most suvs get less than 20 anyway- A wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs fits just fine. I have drove Passat wagons, 4-Runners, Pathfinders, and full size chevy-ford trucks and this is a very reasonable compromise. I never had any major problems with Isuzu-I really recommend this vehicle if you can get it under($22,000). It just has a bad name... it is not a bad vehicle.

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  The most underrated SUV out there!!! - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By BlackAx - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought an Axiom 4wd base model a month ago. This truck is a blast to drive. The driving positon is great, plenty of room. It came stock with all of the features youd find in more expensive trucks. The fit and finish are excellent. It has all of the room of some of the larger, more expensive SUVs out there. Its guarenteed to turn heads at every stoplight! Theyre not selling well so you can really get a great deal now. Remember, this is a truck not a jacked up car.

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  2004 Rodeo 4 door - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By hitmark - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Good suv for the price, Nice size. Good Looking

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  Good, Reliable Car - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Tim Ralston - May 31 - 2:13 am

  I bought my second Rodeo in 1999. I have had it for 10 years (140K miles). I have maintained it well, and not had any significant problems. It is a V6 with a manual transmission and 2 wheel drive. It is a great city car and good in the mountains and dirt roads, fun to drive, has very good power, gets reasonably good mileage (18 city, 22 hwy) and has been very reliable. Downsides - the seats are a little Spartan, and it does have a truck-like ride (also a positive, since it is one rugged vehicle). Also, at about 100,000 miles, it did start to use some oil - I have to add a quart about every 2,000 miles, so not quite enough to get by between oil changes. I am going to miss it.