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:

• 

  Exceeded my expectation - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By littlepig - May 29 - 10:00 am

  For some unexpected reason, this Trooper LS is my third new SUV in less than three months. Previous two was Toyota 4Runners. Trooper is more fan to drive, yet not as bumpy as 4Runner. Interior is MUCH more spacious than 4Runner.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By jt979 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great solid car with pleanty of pulling and acceleration power. Pleanty of torque.

• 

  My third Isuzu SUV - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By Ron - May 21 - 7:16 am

  This is my third Isuzu SUV, I have owned 1996 and 1999 Troopers both bought new. Never had a problem with either. But the 1996 trooper only had 195 horsepower, so I thought it was underpowered.The 1999 had better horsepower at 215. The ascender has 275 horses, which is plenty, but I havent had it long enough to tell what the fuel econemy is yet, because I have not had it long enough to take any road trips.But I can say, It handles and rides nicely and looks a lot more expensive.

• 

  Great Car - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
  By wanker - May 20 - 5:00 pm

  Bought it new in 1998, on the recommendation of Edmunds.com and have never regretted it. The engine is truly incredible. At 125,000 miles it hasnt leaked oil, lost power or experienced any reduction in the gas mileage. It just keeps going. Like any car, you need to perform regular oil changes, and a 100K mileage service check (e.g., to change timing belt, fuel pump etc.), but Ive experienced no major problems. As a used car purchase, it would make a great beater car for an outdoor enthusiest/college student.

• 

  Why didnt I buy it before? - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
  By Pepe Guitarra - May 12 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased and it is a very smooth car. Rides well and feels like a million dollars. I hope the dealer provide the service it deserves. If Isuzu provides the service Toyota does, this car would become the best sold ever.

• 

  Not Great just Good - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By R.K. - May 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Rodeo for almost 4 years. I have read other reviews where people complain about vehicle not being reliable. However I have had no major problems with mine. My Rodeo has been very reliable. Only three complaints. First is the seat and headrests are very uncomfortable on long trips. The second is the number of recalls the vehicle has had. Lastly too rough of a ride.

• 

  Why dont they still make them? - 2002 Isuzu Trooper
  By doug - May 7 - 8:26 am

  This is my third trooper and I will hang on to it as long as I can. Through almost 70,000 miles the one mechanical problem has been a $99 transmission problem, covered under warranty of course! The moonroof is amazing and open in some form or another all the time.

• 

  Very Pleased - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By d.wheeler - April 20 - 6:23 pm

  I just bought this car used it had 46,000 miles and was a one owner and it still smells new and it drives great. I read the other reports and that helped with my buying this car, so I hope mine will help also. If you find one of these cars I say buy it, so far I love it. The homelink is a nice feature also, you do not have all the bulky gadgets to store in your car.

• 

  rodeo is best for suv for your money - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By sccrkeepr - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Had a rodeo for the last 8 yrs - i have never had a serious problem with it ever. They had a window arm problem but aside from that nothing. The customer service is awesome and the salesperson i bought it from calls me 2 or 3 times a yr to make sure everything is ok. The car handles great and the inside is very comfortable. My BF is 62" and has plenty of leg and head room. Its fun to drive and its soo cute. Splurge on the sound system and the power package.

• 

  The most undervalued SUV on the market - 2004 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Waltzon - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely love our Rodeo! Styling actually looks different than the dozens of other boxes in the parking lot, great interior ergonomics, sensible, economical use of interior space. Love that it has factory skidplates, cant believe anyone would buy a Trail Blazer, Explorer or Pathfinder when they could have a Rodeo!