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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  I hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By i hate it!!!!!!! - September 12 - 9:26 pm

  This car is a piece of junk after 5 attempts to fix a problem i had to put a new transmission in @ 18000 miles and it still doesnt work the staff @ my local dealership is a joke this car is a waste of money i hate this car the metal is so flimsy and rusted and has pot marks all over the car drive thru car washes will bend the hood dont ever buy this car

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  A Bad One - 1999 Suzuki Vitara
  By Buyers Remorse - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I owned this vehicle for 19 months. I was at the service department 6 times during this short time period. The first time for an electrical problem that wouldnt allow the vehicle to shift out of park. This went in "3" times before they got it right. (I demanded they contact the Suzuki Tech Rep). Then it went in for a front axle shaft, then it went in for an engine seal. Its been in for defective windshield wiper switch, engine tapping of which the dealership said to change the oil and wait for two changes with anything but a "Fram" oil filter. Then they were going to try adjusting the valves ON MY DOLLAR!!!! When I made the complaint during the warranty period.

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  Lemon - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By madeline - September 7 - 7:33 am

  I purchased this vehicle due to its smooth design and affordability. Now I understand why it was so cheap. I am on my third engine now due to "out of the blue" stalling. The dealership was so patrinizing and rude. The entire experience left a poor taste in my mouth for Suzuki and the dealership that sold the car to me. I know of at least two other Suzuki owners who had very similar experiences with their cars - stalling and rude dealership staff. The only helpful person was my lemon law lawyer.

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By psgibas - August 27 - 9:00 am

  This car is not only poor when it comes to fuel economy, but the technical problems I had with it go beyond my apprehension. I had major work done on it TWICE since my late 2005 purchase. I will not recommend this car to anyone, spend extra couple of grand and get something better.

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  Intresting Design, gutless motor - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By art howell - August 24 - 1:20 am

  Owned the car for just a hair over 2 years, put 33,000 miles on it. Overall it handles and drives better than any other car I have driven in the snow. I was able to drive in ~ 3 feet of unplowed city snow with out a problem. Downside, after 2 years I have valves tapping in the motor.. traded this in on a Subaru WRX instead. Overall the engine is my biggest complaint.. it has no power and I only got about 21.6 MPG out of it... honestly pick one or the other stink at MPG or stink at power not at both! Handles better than my Jeep in snow and ice, good reliable boring family car. For a 10-20k car it does its job but if you drive > 40MPH ever... find something better.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Caryl - July 25 - 5:43 am

  The Verona seemed like a great buy, almost luxurious with the leather, heated seats but in 2 short years I am now waiting for a buyback on it. In January (this is April)the engine and transmission were replaced; it is now sitting because of the same major problems and no doubt needs a new engine again. The transmission is erratic and also clunks into gear. The engine leaks oil into places they can not fix - such as the pistons. I didnt have the heart to even trade it in for another car, I didnt want someone else to be stuck with it. My suggestion - dont buy one!!

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  2005 Forenza is a lemon - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Brian H - July 1 - 7:56 am

  In the 3 years since I have bought this car I have had the front headlights fail, the battery die, the tread come off the two front tires, the oxygen sensor replaced and now Im dealing with a blown head gasket which blasted a hole in the cylinder head compromising the coolant system. By far the worst car I have ever owned.

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  Will not buy another one - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By R.Johnson - May 26 - 5:10 am

  My daughters car and my nieces car and one other lady I work with they all have had electrical problems. If you want a cheap car, great on gas this is it. But it does not ride very well and the size tires that it takes do not last, everyone said that the P195/55R15 are a low rated tire that will only last 20k miles max and they werent kidding!

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  Not what youd think! - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Mike Smith - May 16 - 12:20 am

  My 2005 Verona was a fun car to drive and it ran very well. Until I had a "Thud" in the transmission and it went down hill from there. After a "Reprogramming", it now hesitates very frequently, it has a lot less horsepower, and gas milage is rotten and those were this cars good points! Suzuki has given me the run-around between Cal (Where you have to call for problems) and a service rep that takes days to call you back. If you want a car for a reasonable price, my experience is this car is "Not what youd think!"

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  Not the car i thought it would be - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Pablo - May 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new.. thought it was a great buy. I guess you cant ask for much for 11,000. Everything was good until 45,000 miles. Head gasket blew.. a couple of oil hoses had to be changed. The 5,000 repair cost was covered by the warranty so that wasnt that bad. Then at 49,000 my clutch and all the components broke. That was 850 out of my pocket not including towing... Now at 51,000 the cam shaft sensor broke along with the steering belt. 600 dollars to replace... I dont know whats next... Im still paying for my car and i already have an extensive list of repairs.. My only question is, whats going to break next? Oh and the paint on all my door handles chipped off after 3 years.