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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  Love that Suzuki! - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By moondoggy - February 23 - 2:33 am

  I purchased my 2004 Aerio SX new in June of 2004 and I love the car. I drove it from Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, Dayton, Mansfield, and Indianapolis, IN as part of my job as a manufacturers rep until early 2009 and usually got 28 to 30 mpg on the highway. I have over 156,000 miles on the car and have had minimal problems (in fact the only one was the replacement of a catalytic converter), but I change the oil every 3K to 5K miles, and have had two or three brake jobs and one engine tune-up with new platinum plugs plus about three tire (all 4) changes. Even with all the miles it has had very reasonable maintainence costs. Too bad Suzuki dropped this model for a smaller version of it.

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  The little blue monster still going. - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By lorenzo menendez - February 21 - 9:46 pm

  My last review was on 6-2-2009, the vehicle has 38,000 miles with original tires, apart from regular maintenance, no mechanical problems at all, brakes are still the originals. People are still asking about the vehicle and its performance. Recommend it to anyone that wants to buy a small reliable and cheap cross over station wagon type. If you want it to have more power and burn front tires get a tornado.

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  This is a Suzuki? - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By denverdoc - February 20 - 8:36 am

  Ive driven all kinds of cars/trucks in the past including a GMC truck, Saab, VW Jetta TDI, BMW, and MB C-Class 4matic. My last car was a 2009 Suzuki SX4 AWD automatic touring crossover. The SX4 was just ok, and didnt ignite any passions. Then, I test drove the Kizashi when it finally came to Denver. It reminded me so much of my most favorite car, a 2005 MB C-Class 4matic. I was instantly in love. For over a month, I thought long and hard about whether I really wanted another Suzuki. I really have never been a fan of the company. But, perceptions can change. I ultimately got a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi SLS AWD Automatic in Platinum Silver. I love it more than beloved baby Benz.

• 

  Nice - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By mrwagner - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car last month. Test drove Element, Tribute, and Forester. The XL- 7 was all around much nicer to drive and had many more features for about the same price or less. Interior is nicer than our Audi. Have also previously owned a Trooper, Cherokee, and Tahoe and though smaller the XL-7 handles better and is queiter than any of those hogs.

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  very good - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By faze 5053 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I love the pricing of the vehicle, because Suzuki doesnt do much in advertising, I think it brings down the price. I tell all my friends this, and they seem to be more impressed by that.

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  2005 Suzuki Reno LX - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By KansasCity - February 18 - 6:06 am

  Hello, I purchased my Suzuki Reno just about a month ago and I have had nothing but great compliments from everyone. If you are looking for a good reliable car this is it. For all the standard features that came with it, it was a great buy. I realy enjoy driving it. For as small as it looks it has a lot of room in the inside. I looked around at a lot of cars , but the Suzuki Reno had everthing that a lot more expensive cars didnt for the very reasonable price. Yes it may not get top gas mileage, but it gets good mileage. I live where it snows and it just snowed a few days ago, it drove and handled very well. All I can say is before you make up your mind on a car, do yourself a favor go test drive a Reno!

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  Sweet car for the price... - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By hawaiiankine - February 16 - 10:00 am

  If I remeber right, the sticker price on my Aerio was around $15,500. Well, I ended up walking away paying only $13,000. For the price I paid, I dont think I couldve gotten a better car. Almost every other car in its class is under-powered, suffers flimsy construction, and has poor styling. Not the Aerio. Thank god its made AND assembled in Japan...only place I trust to assemble a car. The engine revs pretty nicely, redlines around 6700 rpm.

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  I Love the Little Car - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By David - February 15 - 8:30 pm

  I looked at the Reno as a way to save gas money and miles on my "toy" that is horible on gas and was racking up too many miles. I like the usefulness of the hatch, the features, and best of all the price. I have not had any real problems with the car with the exception of a computer reflash that fixed the idle problem. I hit it a bit on performance (see below), but the car is fun to drive and performs up to expectations and then sum when compared to the direct competition. I still like to drive my expensive sports car, but dont miss it too much on comutes in the reno. Oh, its gas milage is realy good. I keep track of it. I geuss Suzuki doesnt overblow the numbers like most do.

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  My Car - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By ralph314 - February 11 - 10:00 am

  My wife loves this Car. It not too big to get into tight parking spaces. The entertainment center console is easy to use, The console controls on the steering wheel is excellent but takes some practise to master, The smothness of ride rivals cars costing thousands more. Recent trip of over 800 miles went without a hitch, Gas mileage could be better.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By choco - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I just love this car. I had a Hyundai before this and I did not like it from Day 1. This car is a great looking car, fun to drive and pretty good on gas. There is nothing I dislike about it.