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:

• 

  Great looking, smooth handling little SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Bob - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Pros: Ride, comfort, performance, looks. Cons: rear hatch would be better if hinged at top, or at least on the driver side. Driving experience: Solid, quiet, and very comfortable. This truck easily handles soft sandy beach trails. This is my first SUV and I test drove only the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Nissan Xterra because they had the components and reliability I was looking for. I now have 10,000 miles on this vehicle and all I can say is, the more I drive it, the more I like it. It handles very well, its comfortable, I can take it off road, unlike other small SUVs, and it looks great. Its also the perfect size vacation vehicle for a family of three.

• 

  Great Car for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By mike - September 27 - 7:00 pm

  I love this car. I got it dressed out for $13,300. It is a well thought out car that looks great and I havent had anything go bad.

• 

  2004 SUZUKI VERONA - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By BADKINS18 - September 20 - 12:20 am

  THIS VEHICLE DRIVES AND PERFORMS WELL. IT GIVES THE FEEL OF A HIGH END SEDAN BUT REMAINS VERY AFFORDABLE. ALSO CARRIES AN OUTSTANDING WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH ANY CONCERNS AND RECALLS. WOULD BUY AGAIN.

• 

  Great for the price - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Frank Orlando - September 18 - 11:16 pm

  Good reliable car, good quiet ride , handles well on the road with good passing power. Controls are easy to use and see except steering wheel at night should light controls up.

• 

  8 years and 38K miles later - XL-7 still runs great! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By ihot - September 17 - 7:23 am

  Its June 2012, 8 years and 38K miles after we purchased our XL-7, and it still runs great! It handles well and rides fairly comfortably, although the gas mileage could be better. Blind spots where the backseat headrests and the spare tire cover are can cause problems at times.

• 

  Great car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Ray - September 15 - 6:26 pm

  My parents bought this car two days ago and wow. Im an automatic man and the manual trans. is very easy to get use to. This car is awsome to drive ive already street raced a dude in a supped up Accord and beat him. The handling could be a bit better and the stopping distance but it is still great. The fuel gage stayed 1/8 past full, but after 70 miles it dropped dramatically. its now has 86 miles and there 7/8 of a tank left which is great. i love this car great trunk room and plenty of cabin space. im 61 195 and i have plenty of room. For 11,000 you cant go wrong.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By DUDE - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY DO ENJOY MY 03 SX ITS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AROUND. LOTS OF EXTRAS FOR THE PRICE, TOO. I HIGHLY RECAMEND FOR ANYONE WHO DOSNT WANT TO SPEND ALOT OF MONEY AND WANTS A PROFORMENCE ECONOMY CAR THIS IS IT. ITS POWER TO WIEGHT RATIO IS NOT TO BAD 145HP TO 2600LB COMPARE TO OTHER VEHICLES IN AND OUT OF ITS CLASS. BUT MORE HP IS ALWAYS O.K.

• 

  Great SUV - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Willy - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for a year and I never had a problem. It accelerate quickly. The Grand Vitara will outspeed the Honda CRV, KIA Sportage, Toyota Rav4, and the Geo Tracker. This car is a great deal for the low price. It also a smooth ride. The engine is not loud when driving at high speed.

• 

  2004 Suzuki Verona EX - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By MBPT - August 31 - 1:13 am

  Initial mileage readings up to 11,000 miles were only 18-19 mpg. However, after 11,500 miles, mileage improved to present 23.8 mpg city driving

• 

  In High Esteem - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By high esteem - August 30 - 2:00 am

  My car has the 1.8L engine and 14" wheels. Built in Japan. Clutch/shifter is ultra smooth and easy, smooth ride, comfortable, and relatively quiet (compared to even Mazda Protege and Honda Civic). Excellent sight lines, supportive seat (Im tall). Leg room about the same as other small cars. Fun to drive. Precise steering, mild body lean. Nice stereo sound. No mechanical problems.