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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  The best car ever!! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By LuV My VeRoNa!!!! - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I absolutly love my verona. The indiside is so upscale, but the price is not! This car is so very comparable to the accord or the camrys. Only the best in this car! All my friends love this car! Go Suzuki!!

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  daughters car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By jazz3308 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  purchased the lx auto. handles and acceleration is very good for a small car even a 70mph. interior is nice and roomy with a exterior that is well finished (i am 62" 240lbs). according to my daughter sound system is very good. under the hood everything is easy to find. plugs and wires can easily be replaced. oil and filter is ok to change.

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  happy with it ! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By RafaelnGaby - April 28 - 10:00 am

  Love the truck. I traded my van and I like the move. Love the dash and the wood panel. The auto A/C is nice to have plus the rear A/C is nice to keep control

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  Budget SUV with Decent Quality - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Zukilver - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Owned this car since 36k miles, now 65k. Not so bad. Hard to find parts and accessories. Overall, very reliable, like a mini 4Runner. Limited edition is very rare, I only saw 3 in my whole life, but comes with very useful package. Never went to the shop, never. I only do regular oil change. Resale price is unbelievably higher knowing that this is a budget SUV.

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  My Aerio sx ( THis is the 2002 2wd ) - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By philip bart - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I travel all over the Houston and surrounding areas, putting on the average of about 250 miles per day. I drive this car hard. For the most part this car has outperformed itself. It has handled well in the rain, and has stood up to grid locked traffic in 100 degrees weather. I have taken turns around freeway corners at up to 85 miles an hour with ease. Coming equipped with low profile tires (195 55 15), I found a 60 to look better. I didnt like all the space in the wheel well. Overall this car is something I consider special even though it is completely built by maCHINES.

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  Great value - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By revtomax - April 22 - 5:56 pm

  I just purchased one and I love it. Great looks, great paint, fun to drive. The options it comes with are great am, fm, cd player front and rear wipers, easy controls. Just a lot for a little. I have owned a Focus in the past and there is a lot in this car that the Focus didnt have for the price. And the warranty, well that itself almost sold me the car.

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  More Bang for your buck! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By JoyceAnn - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Car is peppy, easy to handle, fun to drive. Plenty of power, outstanding comfort. Best car out there for the price. More room then Focus and Matrix. Complete loaded with all the good stuff.

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  185K Miles with some work - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By drkrdr318 - April 14 - 5:29 pm

  I have enjoyed my Vitara since I purchased new of the showroom floor. I will have to say the up keep and cost have been a little intense since 150K miles but well worth the trade off. The fuel tank wires frayed (easy fix), Alternator (new brushes 14.95), rear brake shoes (178K miles), differential fluid change (180K make sure you check if your around alot of high water) and Mobil 1 high milage synth every 3,000 miles. Still running strong. Ive change the front brakes 3x and finally went to cryo rotors with synth pads. Worst problem, A/C pump failed and a/c leaks. Other then the A/C I use maybe 1/4 qt of oil every third fill up. Not bad in my book. www.oemsuzukiparts.com

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  Never thought Id buy one - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By richmini99 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  For the money, I just couldnt pass on the Aerio. we also looked at the Matrix/Vibe, Protoge 5, and the Focus ZX5. The Matrix/Vibe just wasnt that comfortable, and to get a version with any power, it would have coast us $5000 more than the Aerio. The Protoge 5 was suprisingly small inside and didnt exhibit the performance that its apperamce suggested. the ZX5 was ok, and the $3000 back also madeit look attractive, but at the end of the day, I just couldnt get past the fit and finish of the car. The Aerio SX gives you flexability, and performance at a great price. The build quality is on par with the offerings of the Hondas and Toyotas or the world.

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  OK for the money. - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Fred Fein - April 14 - 3:06 am

  Good SUV for the money. Liked 3rd seat compared to cost of other SUVs. But have had problems with seal at waterpump, dealer fixed twice. Lousy MPG - no better than 15-16 mpg. And terrible defroster !! And crummy tires. Dunlops, just about bald at 20K.