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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  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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  Love it, but growing a little weary. - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By sjmc - August 31 - 6:28 pm

  I bought this car because I fell in love with the body style, it had every feature I wanted, and I was offered a fantastic deal. After a year of driving it, though, the little annoyances are pushing me toward trading it. Little things like a radio with an already limited range losing the station a lot. The low tire pressure warning takes over the dashboard but doesnt indicate which tire. The rounded shape of the dash and hood make it difficult for someone of my height (55") to judge how close the front end of the car is to something. Because its so low to the ground, its either get out and look or risk damaging the car because it wont clear most curbs.

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  A Cute Little bug.. - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Steelers fan - August 24 - 2:43 pm

  Thats what it reminds me of sitting in the driveway, a cute little bug. Ive already taken it on a trip to Erie and I thought it great on the highway. A very zippy little car!I did a ton of research on the internet before purchasing what I consider to be my last new car, mainly looking for 4cyl., AWD and relatively cheap! Its a great little 4 cylinder with AWD. Itll never have the speed my 70 camaro had but at least I can actually pass by the gas station all week long! So far I have not been disappointed. I cant wait to see how it does in our PA winters!

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  Still feels like new - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By misskellu - August 24 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my Aerio S new in Dec 2003 and still enjoy driving it as much as I did the first week. Its small and easy to park but feels roomy inside. Its high profile makes it comfortable to get in and out and also provides good visibility. Im tall and its the first compact that Ive had where I didnt feel like my backside is dragging on the ground while Im driving or that I have to fall into the seat and haul myself out. I can pretty much just step in & out. The handling is decent on the freeway I have no problem accellerating to pass. The engine is very quiet while idling and has a nice lil growl when you punch it. I live in a hilly city and the automatic scales them with ease.

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  My Suzuki - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Kris ash - August 22 - 2:00 am

  even though i just got it, it is fun to drive and i feel very safe in it love the 4WD

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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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  Guess its still a Daewoo - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Juan - August 20 - 6:26 am

  I purchased the Verona back in 2004 brand new and I was ecstatic. It looked great, rode well, and was incredibly smooth. I was always complimented on how good-looking the car was and how nice the interior appeared. And even now I still like the Verona, its just the reliability that is complete crap. Ive had issues with the 02 sensors, bearings, and now the engine has problems with the fuel injectors. At about 11,000 miles the whole transmission had to be replaced and its now beginning to act up again. The car isnt worth the headache. And its a shame because Suzuki couldve had a hit.

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  ENIGNE, TRANSMISSION & PAINT - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Bonzar - August 19 - 9:13 pm

  This car is junk. At less than 100,000km the paint began to chip, the muffler and exhaust rotted completely, went through 2 sets of tires, and im pretty sure my rotars are long overdue. At 105,000km, I had the engine replaced because of a manufacturers defect. A Piston rod snapped firing the remaining pieces through my block, into the oil pan. At 120,000km, My transmission goes (M.T.). My synchros is finished causing severe grinding when decelerating during a downshift. The stock battery is terrible. I left my stereo on for 10 minutes while the car was off. DEAD. My airbag light came on at 85,000km. The road noise is terrible, the electrical motors in the windows are failing. enuf said?

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  SMOOTH! - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By carlos36 - August 19 - 5:38 pm

  This car is great! The people at Suzuki of Manchster walked me through everything and answered all of my questions, even the ones that I didnt know I had! I really like the way that the car feels while Im inside of it on the city streets plus it looks like luxury...with me inside it! ;)

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  Good mileage, stable ride - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Kevin - August 18 - 12:46 pm

  Just drove cross from the mid-west to the east coast (1,313 miles). Got between 34 MPG (when I kept more or less to the speed limits) and 32 MPG (when I ignored them - i.e., 70-80 MPH). Car was fully loaded with heavy luggage (I was surprised how much it held, it didnt look that big). Handles well in strong cross winds at highway speed despite its high profile. Very stable when passing big trucks.