Overview & Reviews

Born in Japan, Suzuki is an automaker that has made a name for itself by crafting vehicles that emphasize value and affordability. Through the years, the brand's lineup has included sedans, wagons and SUVs. However, in late 2012 the company decided to stop selling new vehicles in the United States.

The company was founded by Michio Suzuki in 1909 as Suzuki Loom Works. By the 1950s, its focus had expanded beyond just loom machines to include both motorcycles and automobiles. In 1955, it rolled out the Suzulight, a compact car that proved to be a harbinger of a new era of Japanese lightweight vehicles. The automaker expanded its lineup to include a truck in 1961. Like its sibling, the tiny Suzulight Carry pickup distinguished itself with its featherweight specification. By the end of the decade, the Suzuki lineup had grown to include the Fronte passenger car, the subcompact Fronte 800 and the Carry Van full-cab van.

In 1970, Suzuki rolled out the Jimny, a four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle that resembled a playful version of the Jeep CJ-5. The automaker's roster continued to grow throughout this decade, with the addition of the Alto and the subcompact LJ80.

The 1980s saw Suzuki partnering with General Motors when GM acquired a 5 percent stake in the company. GM made this move partially in response to the growing popularity of subcompacts in the U.S. market. After the purchase, Suzuki products were rebadged and sold as GM vehicles on American shores.

In 1985, the carmaker launched an American outpost, and for the first time, Suzuki-branded vehicles became available in the U.S. The company's first model was the Samurai; available as either a convertible or a hardtop, this compact SUV met with immediate success. However, the Samurai's glory days were short-lived.

In 1988, Consumer Reports published an article in which it deemed the Samurai unsafe, saying it was more likely than most to roll over during certain maneuvers. Suzuki took the magazine to court (and eventually won) but the bad publicity from the article cast a pall on the Samurai that never quite lifted. Suzuki soldiered on, though. By the end of the decade its total aggregate car production had topped 10 million units, and its line had grown to include the compact Swift and the Sidekick, a compact SUV.

During the '90s, Suzuki expanded its reach to include territories like Egypt, Vietnam and Hungary, and launched new models like the Cappuccino convertible and the lightweight Wagon R. On U.S. soil, Suzuki rolled out the Esteem, dropped the beleaguered Samurai, introduced the two-seat, T-topped X-90 and replaced the Sidekick with the Vitara and Grand Vitara.

Suzuki and General Motors purchased ailing Daewoo in 2004, and two of that manufacturer's vehicles were rebadged and given new life as Suzukis. The Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Verona both had former lives as Daewoo cars.

Through the first decade of the 2000s, Suzuki continued to evolve and improve its models, culminating in the Kizashi, a midsize sedan that was good enough to challenge segment front runners. But with overall sales and consumer interest stuck on a downward trend, Suzuki finally announced bankruptcy and termination of its U.S. vehicle operations in late 2012. The company plans to honor existing warranties, and some Suzuki dealers will continue to provide parts and service.

User Reviews:

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  Stay away from this car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By nick131 - November 26 - 10:11 am

  This is the worst car i have ever purchased. The transmission control module had to be replaced every 6 months. Loud engine. I bought the car with 6000 miles and at 30k miles head gasket went out. Struts had to be replaced 3 times. So last week i decided to sell it for only 1000 dollars. I lost 8000 dollars but i am so happy to get rid of that piece of junk. Suzuki makes motorcycles NOT cars. Please do not spend your hard earned money on a Suzuki. Good luck finding a dealer for parts, they all closed their doors.

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  POG - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By cherylkf - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Piece of garbage. Leaks transmission fluid, burns oil, a/c is on all the time, rattles so badly it sounds like its going to come appart like one of those cartoon cars. It started all of this at 18,000 miles. And, I have taken care of it...regular maintenance, etc.

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  Worst car to buy - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By just another guy - May 21 - 5:30 am

  I bought this car used with around 17,000 miles on it. It was basically new, it was the worst purchase of my life almost. So many little things go wrong with it. the most recent thing is the cable to pop the hood has broken. AGAIN. this is the second time ive been unable to open the hood. also one of the door ajar sensors is malfunctioning so everytime u hit a bump the interior lights flash on and it dings. gas mileage goes is awful. its a "compact" SUV. its smaller than a mini van and gets worse gas than my truck. for a vehicle that size with a V6 and such little horsepower it should get way better gas mileage. the tire inflation sensor malfunctions too.

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  Should have test driven - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Dissapointed - July 12 - 12:23 am

  I just purchased a 2006 Grand Vitara about 2 weeks ago and am very dissapointed. I chose not to test drive it assuming it would be similar to my 2003 Vitara. Boy was I wrong. The seats are like sitting on a hard piece of wood, the shifter is difficult to put into gear, the seat is not meant for a small person and it is not that great on gas. Lesson learned (ALWAYS test drive!!!!!)

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  This car seems nice - buy another - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By britton.peddie - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Suzuki of America is out of money and time, When I took my vehicle in for a warranty related repair, the dealer, who DOES NOT SELL SUZUKIS - told me they required a $1000.00 dollar deposit before they WOULD EVEN LOOK at the repair. This car is crap and they should go away [violative content deleted] where apparently they do OK selling crap product to uninformed individuals.

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  WARNING: WORST CAR EVER OWNED! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By chelbel4 - June 22 - 7:53 am

  I have had this car less the three years and have had over 8 major problems! Everything brakes all the time and not the regular ware and tare. The gas tank had problems, the windshield montior already went, door handle broke, the rims crack if you hit a pothole and the check engine light is always on due to default censors. Plus the dealers, service dept. and customer serivce are uncaring and unhelpful.

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  Road Hazard - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By tester - March 9 - 7:26 pm

  Engine Light ON and breaks fail before 30,000 miles. NOT WORTH THE MONEY

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  Battery Problems & Transmission Censor - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By D.Jones - December 1 - 7:06 am

  I have had my car since 2006 and it has been problem after problem. First my Transmission censor went out which cost me roughly $200.00 dollars. The transmission is still skipping sometimes when I drive. Now the batter will not keep a charge. I have had everything check thoroughly and the watts on my alternator, starter are good. Replaced the batter and the card still have problems. I have checked and there is no recalls on this car for major things such as this.

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  Will never buy another Suzuki - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Gretchiebeth - November 18 - 11:16 am

  I have had my Grand Vitara 2.7 L V6 MPI for almost a year and have driven it for 4 months. The first time it was at Bill Gattons shop in Bristol Tn was two weeks after I bought my Grand Vitara. And The last time I took my Grand Vitara to Bill Gatton to have the motor worked on it was a week before Thanksgiving 2009 and it is now June 1 2010 and I am still without my vehicle. I just found out last week I am the third owner of this vehicle.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR WHATEVER YOU DO! - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By mckinnley - October 3 - 10:22 am

  I have had this car for a little less than 2 years now, bought it in 2010 with about 35k on the engine. I have gotten regular oil changes by a friend at his home of mine who used to own a shop for years. I have taken good care of the motor just blew out of nowhere. I got to school one morning and it just started knocking and now I have to spend 4k on a new engine! It is still under warranty but they want reciepts for oil changes when I got mine done for free. So basically im screwed even though the car was taken care of. Many other problems. headlights burned out, transmission slipping, windows not powering right, AC this summer(I fixed), bateries run out quick..... Just dont buy it!!!!!!!!!