Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
17 -20 City / 21 -24 HWY
Horsepower
130 -205
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Mr. E.
Still trucking
This is a great SUV it's 16 years old and still on the road. This vehicle looks great and it drives great few minor problems to be fixed ,but other wise this is a great vehicle even after 16 years.
accountCircle Kim B
This is a very safe reliable SUV.
My vehicle is very reliable. I have not had any major problems. It is very safe. The only major things I have done with it is tune ups brakes. It saves of gas.
accountCircle Amber J
Built to keep going and going!
I love it! It's sturdy! It's reliable! But mostly it's always ready to keep up with me!
accountCircle Calvin J
The import vehicles are worth the money. Isuzu is underrated compared to the domestic vehicles.
I like the size of my vehicle. It's mid sized but a capable suv. I wish I had more leg room. The vehicle is very reliable.
accountCircle David H
Best foreign SUV sold in the United States
The truck handles very well in snow and mud due to a very good transfer case. It gets halfway decent fuel mileage. The only problem I have had with it is the brakes need to be changed often regardless of the driver. It was a tow package which is convenient. If have not had any real major problems with this SUV. I love it.
accountCircle Cameron H
Rolled and still running.
My vehicle runs fairly well. It has 170k miles on it. It was rolled in an accident so the whole front end is dented. My rear window won't release due to the release mechanism being broken. It is a very comfortable vehicle to ride in.
accountCircle Kim B
It is very reliable. I had no real problems. It took me to and from work.
It is reliable. It keeps going. Can't figure why reduced power is on
accountCircle Sabrina P
It's an SUV!! That sums up the interesting detail because it fits more people
I recently purchased this vehicle used, so not really any problems to talk about just yet. It's a very comfortable ride and I feel completely safe when I'm driving. The radio isn't the best, but that's not too big a deal. It also doesn't have a whole lot of get up and go in them, so I am not a fan of pulling out in front of people.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jackson C
That it was not my idea to get it, that it used to be my moms and that's why it looks like a mom car
Recently i got into a minor accident by hitting the curb with my from right wheel. After that it needed axle work and a bunch of other stuff. I wish it had more torque.
accountCircle Marisa S
It's an SUV and has lots of room.
My vehicle is black and used. It has its problems including the transmission. My rodeo cannot reverse so I have to put it in neutral and manually push the car out of the parking spot because the reverse gear is not working. The ac never works and the driver seat does not work. It is powered not manual so I'm stuck in a very uncomfortable position while driving.
accountCircle pam L
It is old but reliable and will handle good in snow.
I like that it is four wheel drive. I like that it get 20 miles per gallon. I do not like it has a small gas tank.
accountCircle Maddie S
Practical but unexciting car: Isuzu Rodeo
Reliable, no frills SUV. Clutch is unusually long and can sometimes require more force than you expect to push it down and start the car, etc. Comfortable seat, spacious back seat, very practical trunk.
accountCircle Sam S
It's all about dependability. If you want a car that is just tough, rugged, and ugly, this is your car.
It's not the best looking car, but it has been very dependable. Maintenance for it has also been very low in cost as well.

Isuzu Rodeo Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
2dr Convertible 2WD I4 Manual Sport
130 HP 22-22 MPG 5 Seats
car
2dr Convertible 2WD I4 Manual
130 HP 22-22 MPG 5 Seats
car
2dr Hard Top 2WD I4 Auto Sport
130 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
car
2dr Hard Top 2WD I4 Auto
130 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr S 2.2L Manual
130 HP 22-22 MPG 5 Seats
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2dr Hard Top 2WD V6 Auto Sport
205 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
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2dr Hard Top 2WD V6 Auto
205 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr S 2.2L Auto
130 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
car
2dr Hard Top 4WD V6 Auto Sport
205 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
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2dr Hard Top 4WD V6 Auto
205 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
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4dr S 3.2L Auto
205 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr S 3.2L Manual 4WD
205 HP 19-19 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2003 Isuzu Rodeo Owner Reviews

4.00
16 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 31%
4 stars 38%
3 stars 31%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Effie Graham on January 5, 2021
Safety
Lots of fun
accountCircle Sabrina P on December 23, 2020
It's an SUV!! That sums up the interesting detail because it fits more people
I recently purchased this vehicle used, so not really any problems to talk about just yet. It's a very comfortable ride and I feel completely safe when I'm driving. The radio isn't the best, but that's not too big a deal. It also doesn't have a whole lot of get up and go in them, so I am not a fan of pulling out in front of people.

Ranks #11 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo has an average owner rating of 4.01 out of 5 which ranks it #11 of 15 other Compact SUVs.

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4.5
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4.5
11
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4

Ranks #5 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo has a combined MPG of 26 which ranks it #5 of 15 other Compact SUVs.

1
Tie
car
31 MPG
1
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31 MPG
5
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24 MPG

Is The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo A Good Car?

It is a very good vehicle. however, I would never have bought it if I had known that you cannot get parts, that they are way too much money and so now I have a vehicle that I can't drive.
Benjamin H.
In a word, yes. It has been very dependable and reliable. It is a comfortable vehicle to drive and to ride in. It comfortably holds 4 people. The back area is large and can handle a lot of cargo.
Erica S.

How Reliable Is The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo?

3 months after I bought it the drive shaft went. Enough said. Obviously it is not reliable. In any case, as I said, I really like the vehicle but it does not help me if I can't use it.
Mark S.
In a word, yes! As I mentioned, it is reliable. We have encountered very few problems and those were basic wear and tear issues.
Tamara D.

Is The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo A Good Value?

I bought mine for $4,000. It was not a very good deal. We even had a mechanic look at it, and obviously it was not having a problem at that time. Now I can't drive bc I can't get parts.
Jennifer G.

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Not Rated

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Not Rated

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety