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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  JUNK - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By floyd93 - June 25 - 1:48 am

  The rest of the reviews pretty much cover it, but so you dont think maybe there are just a few bad ones let me add my 2 cents, 1 cent more than I would pay for another Suzuki! This thing will rip through brakes and tires faster than I thought possible. Had a transmission issue at less than 30,000 miles that some how was not covered under their great warranty. Dont even bother with their customer relations department, that is a joke in itself. Another Transmission problem at 70,000 miles, oh this was covered by the warranty but somehow the radiator needed to be replaced at the end of the service. Dont ask me???

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  verona - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By joe spear - June 24 - 4:33 am

  Since purchased this verona has been an excellent ride. Its quiet and comfortable. The lumbar seats are great for my bad back. I have the titanium silver color which is easy to keep clean. It doesnt show dirt too much as compared with red or black. I would purchase another one with no second thoughts..

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  MY MY MY VERONA - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By nace - June 22 - 6:43 am

  I purchased my Verona about 3 months ago.So far all is well and I love the car. I havent experienced the stalling problems that Ive read about the Forums. The car looks great, rides good, and has adequate power for everyday driving. I hope it continues to perform well for as long as I own it. Thanks

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  SX4 - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Bob Seifert - June 20 - 5:46 pm

  Bought car new, a very nice car for the price and very well equipped. I am very happy with the car so far,and would recommend it to anyone.

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  Suzuki Verona EX - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By marvinlee - June 20 - 2:00 am

  The Verona is a precision built, attractive car with low power and only fair fuel economy given its six cylinder engine with dual overhead cams. The overall fit and finish rival much more costly cars. Notable is the light effort to open the trunk lid, the beautiful instruments (LS and EX models) and automatic temperature control (LS and EX). Unlike any other new car I have owned, the Verona has not required any return trips to the dealer for minor factory assembly problems. The body is quiet on good roads but transmits excessive tire noise on rough concrete and asphalt.

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  Suzuki Aerio SX Wagon is good - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By T.F. - June 19 - 4:20 pm

  You pay less for Suzuki up front but you have to upgrade them to your liking. For example, the suspension needs to be upgraded, the engine needs a performance boost but the overall car is fine. The only complaint I have is the Suzuki should have promoted the Aerio for the long haul but instead they dropped the model just like the Esteem model line. The transferable warranty is makes them a good used car buy.

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  perfect - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By andy dubitsky - June 15 - 10:00 am

  We have 4 children, ages 2-10 with one on the way.. My wife doesnt want to drive a tank, I dont want to pay for one... Our solution??? THE XL-7.. The interior is perfect for our family. It seats all of us comfortably without making us feel like we should be paid $0.36 a mile and be home on weekends. It came with all the features we wanted, 4 wheel drive, pwr windows, locks, mirrors, and numerous cupholders. The engine pulls strongly all the way to the redline..

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  Amazing Value and Reliability - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Dmurray - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought my first Suzuki 4X4 SUV in 1989 and every few years, look at the marketplace to see if I can fine a better value coupled with reliabilty. I cant!! Drove my 2003 4X4 XL7 from Florida to Alaska, packed full of our stuff and pulling the biggest U-Haul trailer I could get. Flawless! Not a problem! Did the Alaska winter with 8 Feet of snow. Again...perfect performance. Let the Hummer owners pay twice as much for half the reliabilty and performance. Idiots!! Lose your ego and go Suzuki. Wife drives the 2003 XL7 and I drive a 1993 Sidekick 4X4. I guess Im hooked. Money saved bought our Cessna!

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  Inexpensive but reliable - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Bryant - June 14 - 4:56 pm

  Suzuki has come a long way with design and quality of its vehicles. The Forenza met all of my expectations and then some for this vehicle class and price range (base $10,499). I own a 5-speed and an automatic S-model version. The automatic shifts smoothly but lacks HP. The manual trans is peppy in comparison but stills lags behind its competitors (Honda, Toyota, Nissan). Fuel economy is better with the manual trans. My opinion remains high of this car. Needs a few improvements to be more competitive.

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  XL7 touring - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By collie - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Nice ride and very attractive. A bit hard on the legs on long drives. More hip room would be a dream. Love the handling for its size you can get into SPEED tourble if your lead-footed.