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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  The ForenzGetAboutIt :( - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Sucker - December 16 - 4:46 am

  Or, more aptly titled, the "Suzuki Piece of Junk." I bought the car in mid-May 2006. It was trouble free for roughly 600 miles. It has been in the shop consistent every month since then for no crank issues, transmission, dropping the entire subframe, plus a host of others. I already have a hefty file going on repairs, etc. There is not enough room here for all of the problems and issues involved with the car. What a farce! I just picked it up from the last go around. The shop had it for a month and the car is still not fixed. I would very strongly recommend checking out other comparable vehicles in this class if you actually want to own a new car that runs and is reliable. It looks pretty, but mechanically I give it a rating of zero on a scale of 1 to 10.

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  Not a Good Car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Matt - December 7 - 12:03 am

  I bought this car used with 13K miles on it. Now I have 29K and I am really beginning to hate it. In the last year I have replaced 3 door handles, 2 sensors for oil pressure, and the tachometer just quit working. My overall thought on the car, it was a good attempt but it stinks. If you are looking into buying a car like this, my best advise to you would be dont buy it. P.S. Tires are ridiculously hard to find and are very expensive!

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  Completely Dissatisfied - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By HORRIBLE CAR! - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My Forenza has been nothing short of a nightmare. I have had to take it into the dealership 4 different times for the same transmission problem not to mention a brake light switch burning out. My computer panel falling out of its brackets leaving it dangling by my feet, my rear view mirror coming out of its mount, and having both the passenger and driver side door handles complete snap off. I only have approximately 45,500 miles on my car, and I have had to put up with all of these problems. The warranty is great, but when you have to take the car into the dealership at least once every four months, its not worth it. I am definitely trading it in for something that is not a piece of crap.

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  2005 Suzuki Verona EX - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By DaveD - October 2 - 2:23 am

  My 2005 Suzuki Verona EX is my second Suzuki. I have experienced the same problems in both my previous Forenza now this 2004 Verona. They seem to want to hide the fact that the tachometer surges. Ive stalled at the least safe times in BOTH makes, getting onto freeways or trying to pass. You will love the warranty until you try to USE it and then try to get a "loaner" when they keep it over night. You will be stuck. this is my last Suzuki purchase ever, its a cheap car, and mom always said, "you get what you pay for", listen to your mother.

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  Buyer beware - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By heather_2011 - September 30 - 12:13 pm

  I traded in my beloved Oldsmobile that has 175,000 miles on it for our current Suzuki Forenza that had 30,000. It seemed like a smart idea since we drive between states quite a bit. Were we ever wrong! From the get go this car has been nothing but trouble. I had it into the dealership 5 times for the same problem, corporate offices had to step in and fix it finally. Now it is parked because it wont start and with paying a car payment I just dont have the money to have it into the shop every other week. This was the first car that I have owned that is considered foreign. Ill never do it again.

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  buyer beware!!! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By marco - September 1 - 3:20 pm

  When we got our first Suzuki we just loved, not long after that we noticed that the driving was getting really nasty and noisy, the door handles started to brake and fall off, and then the front suspension started to give us problems, all this is aggravated by the fact that we have to deal with such uncaring team on the service department. If you must deal with them please tell them in writing what the problem is otherwise they wont know what to do.

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  Worst car ever buyers beware - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By dk676 - August 21 - 6:16 pm

  I purchased my car because i needed a four door due to having a child & i wish i never had! I had over $600 in work done and was told it should help the gas mileage it made it worse. Now they tell me its normal. They dont tell you about recalls until you call for other issues or hear about it from someone else. I had the transmission replaced & that took over two weeks & 2 different transmissions. The dealer never called me i had to call them to check on the car. My brother also has one and he has had his in the shop more than he gets to drive it. My suggestion is dont ever buy a suziki they are the biggest piece of crap ever made & they dont care as long as you are making your payments!

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  Not Worth the Price - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By kdilg - August 13 - 9:20 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my 2002 Suzuki XL-7. The front end has had continous noise and problems, and it literally eats tires every 15,000 miles. The steering wheel has always made noise, and the air conditioner froze and leaked water all over the passenger at 5,000 miles, All the other problems started at 15,000 miles. I would not suggest buying this vehicle. I have had it in the shop 1- 2 times a month. I cant wait to get rid of it, and I will never buy another Suzuki. After ten attempts to fix it, I have been told it is not fixable. Off to lemon law court we go.

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  Should have had recalls - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By clover5 - July 27 - 2:45 am

  I bought mine new and have always had an issue with it having gaps in acceleration. Dealer said nothing wrong. Clutch worn very fast 35 k or so. Dealer said I had to replace I still have not 142 k. My major problem is it has always had poor gas mileage and codes it is not running effiecient. I have replaced the throttle body and sensor since you cant get just the sensor, O2 sensors, plugs wires etc. It has had all normal and regular maintenence. The "gaps" are getting worse and it is not an automatic. The automatic ones just shift gears at any time. No problems with these have ever been a recall. I owned a KIA before and never had any issues. I can see why these cars are gone !

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  NOT SO GOOD - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By djsum5 - June 29 - 10:03 pm

  Ive had this vehicle 2 year and I must say I dont like it. Cheap plastic products used on the interior,You can scratch the surface with your fingernail. If you have a medical skin promlem (Psoriasis) I would avoid bare skin contatac with the plastic,It may aggravate your condition. Fuel economy, I do better with my 2000 Olds Alero comfort, Rides like a pick-up truck,no lumbar support in the drivers seat.