This North American Isuzu SUV lineage began with the short-wheelbase two-door Amigo, introduced for the 1989 model year as a compact recreational 4x4. It was closely related to Isuzu’s Japanese-market MU and gave Isuzu a more open, lifestyle-oriented alternative to the brand’s truck-based utility vehicles. The larger four-door Rodeo followed for the 1991 model year, expanding the lineup into a mainstream midsize SUV aimed at families and shoppers who wanted more space and comfort than the Amigo provided.
The nameplate history is split into distinct eras. The original Amigo was offered through the mid-1990s, then the two-door concept returned for 1998 after a short absence. That revived version initially wore the Amigo badge again, then was renamed Rodeo Sport for 2001 as Isuzu tried to connect it more closely with the better-known four-door Rodeo. The Rodeo Sport stayed in production until 2003, while the four-door Rodeo continued through the 2004 model year.
Together, the Rodeo and Amigo became the core of Isuzu’s U.S. SUV identity in the 1990s and early 2000s. They are remembered for simple truck-based engineering, available four-wheel drive, and a distinctly rugged character at a time when many SUVs were becoming more carlike. The Amigo, especially in its open-top form, developed a small enthusiast following, while the Rodeo served as the more practical volume model in Isuzu’s North American lineup.