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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  Grewat Car - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By ddcast1 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a dream and a affordable price

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  Baby Bert - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Doug - April 2 - 4:43 pm

  Excellent little car to drive and fun too. Ive only found one drawback to the car, when driving,if your passenger who is sitting in the front seat happens to raise up off the seat for a few seconds, the air bag will turn off. This little design flaw could be fatal if the air bag sensor does not reset itself properly. My Forenza only resets when the car is turned off and then restarted.

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  A Lot Of Car For The Money - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By regulatorone - April 1 - 7:40 pm

  My fiance and I were in the market for a new car when we stumbled across the Forenza. We began to research it and others in its class. We were amazed at how many standard features came with the S! No matter which car was compared (again, in its class) with the Forenza, time and again the Suzuki won hands down. Its a sprightly little car thats fun to drive. Really. Even with the auto. This will be our first car together and our first Suzuki. Needless to say, we bought the S and cant believe how much we saved over the competitors!

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  Very nice!!! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By kiska - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a little jewel. Fun to drive, squirts thru traffic & very comfortable. In Europe the car is known as the Liana, and kudos to Suzuki for bringing it to the states.

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  My Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By dapper2010 - March 18 - 3:00 pm

  This car was the best car for the money. Very close to the Toyota Camery and Honda Accord but much cheaper to buy. Very comfortable and the 6 cylinder has great power and economy.

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  Great LIttle SUV - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By johnny.martini - March 18 - 11:13 am

  So far this GV fully loaded with leather is a great deal for the canadian market. Has great handling and is less noisy. Very comfortable and smooth. A little more gas for now but it still is not broken in. It will be on course with my ex 2003 crv. Great on country roads.

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  love the truck - 2012 Suzuki Equator
  By davis2417 - March 14 - 1:33 pm

  i just bought the zuk a month ago have 1000 miles on it i agree gas milage is not that great but i am used to driving a civic. i am getting 17.5 mpg an i have the 4.0l v6 it has plenty of power you could ever ask for. got more features for less money over the nissan frontier and it looks better. i get alot of comments on how well it looks. feels like you are driving a full size truck with better fuel milage than the big v8 in those and with the big tires you have plenty of ground clearnce. interior is laid out very well everything is conviently laid out an well planed with plenty of storage. it is a nissan that looks better has better warranty and price.got to take a look if buying a new trk

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  The Best Small SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By RUBEN HERNANDEZ - March 14 - 12:20 pm

  I test drove five other similar vehicles, and was very impress with the Suzuki Grand Vitara. I have been a Suzuki owner for five years and believe this is the best vehicle Suzuki has put together. Congrats Suzuki.

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  Buy 2 His and Hers - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Suncoast Great - March 13 - 2:43 am

  It has never given us any problems. I did have to replace both low beams over the past 3 years, other than that nothing. Had to replace tires, but thats normal for any vehicle. Compared to the GM very affordable. We Love it...Id buy another one in a heart beat!

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  Must Have - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By car fan - March 9 - 5:46 am

  This car is great with all the standard features you get. The only thing I wish I had gotten is cruise control, but its OK without it. This car gets great gas mileage, 30 mpg on the highway. The car is great inside and out. I didnt really want this car. but now that I have it I love drivng it. I took it out of town and it is a great car to travel in. It is so comfordable and everything. The steering is tight.