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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  our 7 passenger Ascender - 2005 Isuzu Ascender
  By yibari4 - February 18 - 6:23 pm

  Took 6 people on a 3000 mile trip to Florida and back and it handled the job great; super comfort, tracked great and over 21 MPG while also carrying a scooter on a platform in the trailer hitch.

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  Sweet - 2003 Isuzu Axiom
  By J&J - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Great Car/ SUV !! Its a shame ISUZU didnt market this vehicle as well as the rodeo or Amigo but in a way Im glad because Its nice not seeing one on every corner. Isuzu Axiom A Rare Breed

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  Highway Cruiser - 1999 Isuzu Trooper
  By illinois trooper - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Purchased used as a dealer demo w/15K. Currently over 110K in 3 years and used as work vehicle all over the midwest. Solid on road in all types of weather. Warranty problems: 4 wheel drive engagement solinoid, intake gaskets & EGR valve @ 110K. If replacement for Trooper is as solid as this vehicle, I will stay with Isuzu.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Isuzu Ascender
  By dice - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Had the SUV for the last few months and its been great. The entire family love the ride and interior room. A most have SUV!

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  Often Seen high mileage - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Mountain Canuck - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Every vehicle line has its lemons. Our Rodeo SE has been a solid and reliable all-round truck. I have been the only owner from 12 km and have beat it around in the snow and through the bush a lot. This year we picked up a 2700 lb (loaded) tent trailer for it to haul. After hauling the trailer fully loaded up a 12-15% minimum highway grade for about 40km, it didnt falter once. In fact it performed very well. Changing all fluids at the regular service intervals helps keep it going. If you are concerned about mileage, change your fuel filter. Its a $12 part and only takes 15- 20mins. Mine is changed yearly due to local delivery of poor fuel quality. Its like driving a new truck every year.

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  Dependable & Comfortable - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By 2001 IsuzuRodeo - January 27 - 10:26 pm

  This SUV was very reliable. It has smooth handling yet was tough when needed. Felt more like a car ride than a stiff SUV. Other than typical wear and maintenance, this car did not need parts replaced or upgraded. The only issue is that the two little exterior pieces under the tail lights/above the bumper started to rust prematurely after the 3rd year of ownership. (A little unsightly.) RWD was fine on dry roads but a little dicey on wet/snowy roads. The 4WD was ideal! Easily drove through unplowed lots or streets where others were getting stuck. Its too bad Isuzu discontinued this model, because I would have bought another.

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  Fun To Drive - 2001 Isuzu Rodeo
  By Josh - January 25 - 3:23 pm

  I got my Isuzu over the common explorer and other midsize SUVs because it drives like a car, not a truck. Its fun, unless you worry about the gas gauge which seems like it depletes pretty fast...Overall, Im glad I got the car, the brakes squeak like mad when its wet though. No mechanical problems to speak of. It sputters on startup when its cold, but nevertheless it starts up and goes.

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  Worth the money - 2002 Isuzu Rodeo
  By randymarsh - January 23 - 4:45 pm

  We bought ours in 2002 new and it has been a great car for the money. Dont expect 4runner or Pathfinder comforts in these cars, but they are much cheaper. The ride is a little stiff and the interior is cheap, but positives are a fairly peppy engine and good exterior styling. These do burn oil, but if you check it regularly and top it off as needed, you should never have any problems. At 112K miles, the only issue was the ABS light coming on a couple of times around 30K miles. Make sure they are maintained (fuel filter every 30K and the previously mentioned oil burning). Transmission fluid is sealed so a lot of places cant change it, but an Amco can handle it.

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  A year later it is still running well - 2002 Isuzu Axiom
  By trev4 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  After 20,000 miles in the first year and countless skiing trips to Mammoth mountain and Joshua Tree over the winter, we have had no problems with the Axiom, and it always is ready to be driven hard. Seems to be very reliable so far. Still a head turner, good performance and handling and room for a lot of gear. We will be running this guy for another 100,000 at least.

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  Poor quality/worse company to deal with - 1999 Isuzu Rodeo
  By RJY - January 17 - 10:00 am

  In a two month period I replaced 2 power window motors, stereo, (which quit working)1 front end part and a thermostat and radiator in hopes of resolving an overheating problem, which later was diagnosed as a blown head gasket. The truck only has 52,000 miles and still under the drive train warrenty-so I thought. I was denied the warranty for several reasons: 1) I didnt take the non warranty work to them. 2) They said I must have overheated it to the point of blowing the head gasket and would not confir with the shop I had the work done to verify that I was not negligent by driving while overheated. 3)They claim that Isuzus do not blow head gaskets. $1500