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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  Alot of car for the money! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By forenza in NC - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Well just got this new forenza this past thursday....and Im loving it. Its alot of car for the money, love the 8 speaker system and the radio controls on the steering wheel. Its a nice riding car! Im enjoying driving it alot!

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  Lucky Lady - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Kim - November 8 - 9:53 am

  I named my Aerio "Lucky Lady." Its been months and Im still crazy about driving it. Im a regional store manager, and drive little winding mountain roads every day. I upgraded the factory tires with Yokohama TRZ and have had no problem getting to my distant store in snow or ice. I never miss work! My passengers are always amazed by the comfort and roominess of the interior. My boss loves my trunk space. He is always loading me down with cases of drinks. Anyone ever heard of Old Fort Mountain in NC? My Lucky Lady loaded with drinks, can do 60+ over it and I pass everyone. Its great gas mileage is a bonus in times like this.

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  My newest purchase - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ashley - November 1 - 3:36 am

  My husband and I purchased a 2004 Aerio SX Wagon Standard on May 1, 2006 to replace my Ford Ranger XLT, which I was putting 45 dollars in gas a week into. I havent measured the gas mileage, all I know is now Im only paying 25 dollars a week in gas, as opposed to the 45, which is great. I do a lot of interstate driving to and from work, and this car has so much more oomph than my Ranger did. Its very roomy for being a smaller car, and the storage is great. I love the storage in the trunk.

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  Love My Sucuki - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By charles simpkins - October 31 - 2:03 pm

  Since my wife and I purchased our Aerio we have fallen in love with it. We have owed Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas and now our Suzuki. It has been the best car that we have ever owned in terms of reliability and performance.

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  Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ronald Wilkinson - October 29 - 3:20 am

  My Suzuki Grand Vitara is wonderful to drive. It has very well mannered handling for an SUV, firm but forgiving. The level of creature comforts far exceeds its price. The automatic climate control works great. The fit and finish are A1. Everything works the way it should. The stereo system is very nice. There is good reception on the radio for weak signals and it has an excellent sound.

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  suzuki verona - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Ray Hingson - October 28 - 7:26 pm

  we purchased a new verona in dec we love it we had a suzuki swift before and still have it 80000 miles and its still going strong the verona is so much more a great car for the price and very very nice..just love the car its a great car you go suzuki you making better and better cars the verona proves it

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  Suzuki XL-7 is great for women too! - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Suze - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my XL-7! I had a mini-van previously but realized that I wasnt the mini-van type. I have two children who love the sunroof and elegant interior as much as I do. The only problem is getting the keys in the morning before my husband does.

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  Mid size car with class - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Chip D. - October 24 - 10:00 am

  We have put 1,000 miles on this car city and highway. This car has a high quality feel to it the seating is comfortable and the ride is solid, soft but not too floaty. The interior is roomy and and offers a classy look. My mother came over to visit us and drove the car for the first time last week. Her and dad bought a Town Car last year and found that the Verona had less suspension noise when driving over road bumps. The fit and finish on the interior is first rate and full of attention to detail.

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  Great Value, Features, Fun and Comfort - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Tom - October 21 - 8:46 am

  This fun to drive vehicle has a solid, sturdy feel that is equally good to drive in the city or at high speeds on the open road. It has great forward vision, seat comfort, trustworthy brakes, quick handling, little body lean, a good ride, its versatile, has a neat AWD set up, and we feel safe in it with all of the air bags.

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  AERIO IS WONDERFUL - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By magnum1 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Its the best car I have ever owned. I love my 2002 Suzuki AERIO GS. I purchased it in July of 2002 and now have 35,000 miles on it and havent spent a dime on it except for oil changes and general maintenance, which is very little. This includes changing transmission fluid (standard) and flushing the radiator.