The Isuzu Axiom is a mid-size SUV introduced by Isuzu in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The Axiom is derived from the Isuzu Rodeo and was intended to be Isuzu's response to the popularity of car-based SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander, replacing the Trooper as Isuzu's flagship vehicle in the United States. Exclusively sold in the United States and Costa Rica, the Axiom was built alongside the Rodeo in Lafayette, Indiana at Subaru Isuzu Automotive, Inc.. The peculiar styling and truck-based platform was not well received in the marketplace, and the Axiom was discontinued and replaced by the Chevrolet TrailBlazer-derived Isuzu Ascender in 2004, leading to Isuzu's withdrawal from the manufacture and sale of passenger vehicles in North America in 2009. The Axiom had two trim levels: base and the up level XS. The XS trim had features like fog lamps, a sunroof, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, 12 speaker premium audio, and leather upholstery. The name "Axiom" was determined by a naming contest held by Isuzu, and was won by Dr. Hakan Urey from Redmond, Washington, who suggested the name and won his own Axiom in 2001. The word means a statement or proposition that is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true. The Axiom is available with a Torque on demandfour-wheel drive system, and a direct-injection 6VE1-DI V6 engine and Aisin Warner AW30-40LS automatic transmission was added in 2004, boosting power from 230 to 250 hp. A new chrome bar grille and new liftgate chrome that stretched tail light to tail light was also added. The Axiom was discontinued in July 2004 after only two or three years of production and the Lafayette plant was retooled to build the Subaru B9 Tribeca. With the retirement of the Rodeo and Axiom, Isuzu, which once sold a complete line of cars, trucks and SUVs, no longer offered any Japanese-built consumer vehicles in the United States. From 2006-2009, the lineup consisted only of rebadged General Motors vehicles: a GMC Canyon-based Isuzu i-Series and GMC Envoy-based Isuzu Ascender. Isuzu began its withdrawal from North American markets, with Canada after the 2002 model year, followed by the United States after the 2009 model year. Also, the Axiom was never sold in Canada. In 2013, a recall was issued for the Isuzu Axiom for frames with severe rust issues, NHTSA Campaign Number 13V547000. Similar related vehicles, 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport NHTSA Recall Campaign Number 10V436000, and Isuzu Amigo in 2012, Campaign Number 12V306000. The 2001 movieSpy Kids and its featured an Isuzu Axiom as part of a promotion, even having a lenticular poster and an RC car made by RadioShack. The Chinese-produced Great Wall Hover's design is heavily inspired by the Axiom, but is unrelated.
