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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  Great Value - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Jim Rutledge - April 21 - 10:23 pm

  I looked long and hard to find a car that would give me room, economy, and style and I found it in the Verona. It has more room than Camry and priced thousands less. It also comes standard with a V-6.

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  To the naysayers - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ben Hogan - April 21 - 2:40 pm

  I have been a Suzuki owner for 2+ years. First with the SX4 Crossover and now the 2010 Grand Vitara. First let me say that Suzuki is far under rated. The new 2010 Grand Vitara is a dream to drive. Most of my miles are highway, to and from work and support driving for my computer work. The Grand Vitara is a pleasure to drive. It gets around 24 to 25 mpg on the highway and around 20 around town. It is highway quite and all the features are very functional. My base model is equipped with navigation, bluetooth, msn traffic and fm traffic. All function through the radio speakers. Nice. Comfort is outstanding. Give this small SUV a second look.

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  Midsize Manners - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By andy - April 19 - 4:30 am

  A significant improvement over the 2000 Esteem which I traded in. So far: 7000 smooth, fun/peppy, trouble-free miles. As smooth as a Camry and quieter than a Civic sedan on highway. Solid handling even in inclement weather. Handling in high gusty wind is manageble and not troublesome. I have the off-white pearl color which hides dirt well. So far, no paint issues. Stereo is hi-fi quality, not sizzly/boomy. AC cooling is adequate. Engine tends to ping in hot weather (85% plus) under load conditions (hills with AC on, or steep hills in general). 89 Octane alleviates problem. Otherwise runs fine on 87 octane. Why are the critics so down on this car? I wonder if theyve actually driven the sedan

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  SX4 Gotta Love It! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Lisa - April 19 - 1:03 am

  I have only had my lil car for a couple of weeks now. I traded in my 2003 XL7 (which I loved), to get better gas mileage. It seems to get around great. I have had great luck with my other Suzuki and my son has a AWD 04 Aerio. I did my research and found out the SX4 replaced the Aerio. So I went to the dealership on a mission to find me a SX4 AWD. I was happy to get the Copper one that I wanted!

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  Good Value - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Karen - April 14 - 7:06 am

  I bought my 2006 Forenza as a 2nd car but in a week, it became my only car. I love this car. It is a great value for the money, looks good and is easy to drive. I wanted to buy an automatic but decided to stay with a stick since this is the only type of car I have owned. I choose to have leather interior installed and really think that I paid too much for my car. The gas mileage could be better but I was so glad to have a new car, it doesnt matter. My friends say that there is lots of leg room. This car rates high on my list as an economical investment for the money.

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  Nice Ride for the Money! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Sandriver - April 12 - 10:10 am

  About a month ago I purchased a Suzuki Grand Vitara and what a nice ride! At the time I was looking to purchase a small size SUV to use as my daily drive car and did a lot of looking on the net. I basically narrowed it down to the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. I drove all three vehicles (more than once) and decided to buy the Luxury package model Suzuki Grand Vitara for two main reasons. One was the available horsepower and shifting, the second was the quality of the interior and leather. The motor has more torque and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The other two seemed weak and the shifting was jumpy.

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  Luv It - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By poppie - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Super Sedan at great pricing...Luxurious and a head turner eveywhere I drive. People I do not know say A Suzuki ?? WOW.My 2 young sons equate the Suzuki name wGran Tourismo for Playstation.Fog lights a great plus

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  Esteem rises to the occasion - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By Sakura Digital - April 9 - 10:00 am

  After much redesign from the 2000 model I find that the 2001 Esteem drives and handles much like a Mazda Protoge. In 1.5 years I have had NO mechanical failures and aside from car washes and oil changes this is all I have to do. This little car even has punch on the highway. And, especially when trying to park in Boston or Salem the compact size is a must to allow fitting in tight spaces. When sitting inside you do not even realize the compact size outside. Plenty of room for 5.

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  Its not your yellow sub its mine - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Its not your sub - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought my first Suz. on looks and the nice storage bins in back. It also came with a nice diaper pale "wash bucket" as some say. The back is also the right height for a changing table. I am the only yellow Aerio SX in 4 counties. I have so many people just stop and go what is that. My mileage is about 25-30 depending on air. Solid car Solid dealer. I also had the dealer spice up the interior with the optional brushed aluminum over the glove box, around the stereo, and around the instruments.

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  Sporty Compact - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By boao2k2 - April 7 - 3:53 pm

  I just purchased my Forenza, and love the fact that its a 5-speed manual. I replaced the factory tires with the rims off my trade-in. Big leap for me from a 92 accord with 347,321 miles to a brand new Forenza with 54 miles. Love the car for the price. I looked into a newer model Honda (04,05,06) but they were just as pricey but without the warranty, so I chose the Forenza with the warranty. With the way I drive itll be 10 years before I hit 100,000 miles.