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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  SX4 Crossover Touring2 - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Sid - April 22 - 3:50 pm

  Bought the new 2008 Xover in Touring-2 trim and 5-speed, in copper metallic. Great car, solid feel on road, avg mpg so far is 29.2. Good on gas if you drive like you want it to be. I find the seats very comfortable, better than the Prius I was going to buy at twice the price. Cabin noise is quite low for this class, engine is smooth, doors shut with solid thump. 9- speaker stereo is excellent. Front end styling is great, back end could use a little more edginess to it. Very intriguing little vehicle. Suzuki, I wish you would replace rear differential with brushless DC motor along with smaller engine and make it a mild hybrid. I just might do it for you Suzuki!

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  Great Little Car - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Lakebear - April 20 - 1:50 am

  I have had the car for 10 months now and I still love it. It has been great in the ice and snow. I have gotten up hills that other cars were slipping and sliding on. The traction control and anti-lock breaks have kept me going in a straight line when other cars in front and behind me have been fishtailing. In addition to being very reliable and safe, it is a blast to drive. It is so comfortable that my husband always wants me to drive even though his Saturn gets better gas mileage. Im averaging 27 MPG and I drive 100 miles a day back and forth to work. I test drove a Honda Fit and Civic because they got better gas mileage but they just didnt feel as substantial as the SX4.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By step - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This car has all the luxury features that many other cars didnt have and still cost more. A great value. The ride is superb with exceptional smoothness. I have found that the I6 engine will take off and go as fast as I want to. Dash and steering wheel controls are good. Climate control is great.

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  nice try a ex - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By russ213 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  great ridding car comfort leavel is great I hope suzuki gets the word out

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  Afordable Luxury - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Rydlewski - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Here is a automobile that is desigened to fit todays life style at a price the hard working middle class folks can actully afford without selling there first born. The car offers all the wonderfull luxury features one would expect on a Honda Accord EX, but at about six to eight thousand dollars less.Power is not over abundend yet nice and smooth in mid-range of the Porsche designed inline six. Styling of the Verona is very distintive of the Georgario desigen studio and is pleasedly different from the norm. Overall the Verona gives cosumers a lot of driving enjoyment for the dollar.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By dpeter - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Wow, with 4 children was looking for a smaller SUV that would hold seven. Not many choices on the market. Looked at the Escape and CRV. Dollar for dollar, glad I choose the XL-7 w/ the trird row seat. I love it as well as the kids. Am commented by others how great it looks. Love the drive as well as the mpg. No regrets and highly recomend.

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  Great Car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Liz Marshall - April 12 - 10:43 pm

  The Suzuki Aerio is the best AWD deal out there. I am looking at a safer commute with a small price tag. I love the roomy interior, it handles well, it is great looking, and its a good value. I love this car!

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  The Best Kept Secret Small Car - 2012 Suzuki SX4
  By wlight777 - April 11 - 1:46 am

  The SX4 is a great all around general purpose vehicle, especially the Crossover. This car is heavy, solid, and handles great when driving around twisty back roads. Suzuki is biased towards building great handling cars rather then simply ones that accelerate fast. The SX4 Crossover is NOT an economy car. It easily weighs over 3000 with a driver and full tank of fuel. This is a vehicle that tries to do everything well and succeeds. Some cars just do one thing well, like a Prius getting great mileage or a Wrangler being good in the middle of the woods. You will get fed up with that when you need a car that does something else. The SX4 is that very car, and a reliable one.

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  Premium Ride - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By Roger - April 4 - 5:46 pm

  I have owned my new Equator 2 weeks now. With the big 16 inch tires and aloy wheels, it rides like a big ruck.So far combind mpg is 20. Things they could improve on are: Should have offered the V-6 in the "premium. Plastic flimsy glove box and door. Gas door is not remote and can be opened by anyone on the outside. No trip computer unless you buy the "sport model. Dash lights illumination level is fixed and cannot be changed. Auto/manual shift is nice feature. Mud guards; bed liner and other items all extras also. This truck in the premium package should offer more as standard features especially for the price of this model. Needs improvement if Suzuki stays in the truck business.

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  New Family SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Chuck H. - April 4 - 9:03 am

  We traded my wifes VW cabrio on a Grand Vitara XSport 2WD last week. We needed more room since we have a child on the way. We love this SUV. The long list of standard options and safety features along with the XSport option made it the best value for the price. The exterior design is outstanding. The projector headlights, keypass entry system, sound system and a well designed comfortable interior make it feel more like a luxury vehicle than a value priced SUV. The road manners are verry nice and it gets decent fuel mileage with the peppy V6, 23 mpg average so far. My wife has a hard time admitting that she loves an SUV with gas prices near $3 a gallon.