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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  Its okay... - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Ally - November 21 - 6:53 pm

  This was my first car so I was happy to druve any thing but it would not be my first choice. The good thing anout this car is that I havnt had too many mechanical problems with it. The bad thing about it is that it is a blah car. Nothing special about it. I have only seen about 5 others in my city!

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  HUGE NIGHTMARE BUYER BEWARE - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By alienwizard - November 7 - 8:33 pm

  i bought this car with 16,000 miles on it the first year was trouble free...then the nightmare began..at 30,000 miles the head blew it was replaced through warranty...then one at time the coils would go .. then hubs went...then shocks failed...then the coils again..ignition went twice..at 80,000 the engine blew...had it replaced through warranty..along with 2 new cats..a week later out of the garage ...po303..coil.nope plug nope..cylinder 3 gone ..i was like what the hell 5 years paying on this spent more time at suzukis garage then on the road..note the low mileage..biggest p.o.s. ever buyer beware....

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  Verona Vomit - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Stupid Steph - October 12 - 6:36 pm

  I have owned this car for approximately fifteen months in which time I have experienced a rear brake fluid leak that caused them to go all the way to the floor. Now that I am want to get a different car, no one will give me much for it because they say that the word is "the transmissions are no good." I myself have experienced it stalling and shifting in and out while driving down the highway.

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  2004 Suzuki Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By eddie c. pollard - September 27 - 1:16 am

  The car has been in the shop quite a bit as a result of a stalling / hesitation problem with the engine. Also, the cruise control has quit working and has been replaced once and will need to be replaced again. The cruise control is a mechanical unit that sometimes surges significantly once set and poses a safety problem.

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  Paint or clear coat peeling off - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By hjb6 - August 23 - 12:50 am

  My car has suddenly had a problem with the clear coat on the hood peeling off. There is an area about 18 inches wide and just keeps growing bigger. Looks horrible. The tire pressure light stays on now all the time. Weve checked and adjusted the pressure over and over and cant get the light to go off. The check engine light came on today and Auto Zone said its coming up with something about the cooling system, most likely the thermostat. Im calling tomorrow to have it all checked out. Its been ok otherwise, but well see.

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  Long Travels! - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steven - August 20 - 3:13 pm

  I would have to say that this little car has very good fuel economy (28/31mpg). I bought the car new and have really put it through its paces. I have taken it from southern Kentucky down to Miami at about 1100 miles, three times. Most of the miles put on this car are highway. A/C went out after about 36000 miles with the warranty running out at 35000. The seat cloth pulls away and doesnt matter if you put it back on track or not. Its a five speed so that may be why I am gettting better gas mileage than most of the reviews. I had to take it in for some recalls with the water pump and my dim lights went out because of the wirring harness. Overall not impressed but its still running.

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  Where are they hiding the x-tra 2 cyls ? - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Louienj1 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  To sit in this car is the best dollar for dollar lux-o-like sedans. Hit the road and you CAN NOT believe this car is 6 cyl. I drove many cars under 25k, none of the others had less power. Understand that true driving power is derived by the engine output vs. the cars weight. This car is "an attractive cow with the heart of a hamster". I really liked the interior of the car. Suzuki should use the XL-7 V6 engine, even if it adds $1-$2Gs to the price. If you really do want this car, wait. By 2005 they will offer a more powerful version. So buy a more powerful V6 or save on the 2004 models left or buy used (because the warranty transfers).

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  Peice of S@#$ - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By JC - July 19 - 10:16 am

  I am also having transmission problems, door handle problems, and one i havent seen on here is the brake lights are coming on randomly and staying on and killing my battery, I expect the brake switch is faulty, Im thinking about just outing a master disconnect on the main battery cable and shutting it off when the car is not in use, sure cure any electrical pull Rather it is the brake switch or not!

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  Cheap car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Angie - July 14 - 12:43 pm

  Bought the car in 2007, I Had the transmission fault issue, the door handle issue, the paint on the wheels issue, the seat belt recall issue. the acceleration issue. Now I am buying my second set of tires, why put these expensive tires on this cheaply built car? It does get me from point A to point B, I do feel safe.

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  One of a Kind - Fun to Drive - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By CSI - June 6 - 8:40 pm

  I have ownedmy 2004 Suzuki XL-7 for eight months and have had problems with the rear end differential and CD changer and problems with the 4x4 disengaging. Other than that, I really like driving it. The 4x4 does not disengage properly when the tempurature outside is less than 30 degrees, which is not a good thing in Minnesota. I get 16 -19 mpg and the gas tank is too small, so I spend a lot of time at the gas station. The engine is underpowered for the vehicle.