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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  Aerio Wagon, great used car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Alan - February 13 - 5:50 pm

  I was researching many different cars and trucks focusing on Ford Rangers, which I like a lot, Corollas, and the Matrix Wagon. As soon as I drove the Suzuki Aerio around the block I was sold. The car had 45,000 miles on it but ran silky smooth, has good acceleration and go cart like handling. I will definitely consider buying another new one. Suzuki has made a believer out of me. Like another reviewer here I am 63" and this car has more head room and open space inside than my Subaru, or Rav, which are both great cars as well, its just the Aerio is the best handling sporty drive of the three and shifts gears so smoothly I rarely feel it. The sound system also rocks.

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  Love & hate relationship - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By CRAIGM - February 12 - 6:56 pm

  I bought this vehicle because I was in the market for an affordable, reliable small SUV that was rear wheel drive. I am a mechanic by trade and this setup is easier to maintain. However at 15,700 miles, the factory Yokohama tires are shot. I dont believe it to be an alignment issue since they are worn only on the inside just cheap tires. My wife insisted on the solid red one and I am very dissapointed that the paint is rapidly deteriorating, the mirrors are already faded to white on top. Also, there are too many cheap plastic trim pieces interior & exterior that easily fall off and im finding out resale value is really bad. This one is 2wd and has plenty of power for the size of the motor.

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  A Car For Any Season - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By 13Edge - February 11 - 3:56 pm

  If you are looking for 0-60 acceleration or fast and furious performance, dont get an AWD Aerio. The automatic tranny just wont allow it. The interior is well designed with the controls for everything placed just right. The car is very comfortable for my 63" 280 lb. frame. The factory radio is incredible and with the rear seats folded down I can fit more things in this than the old S-10 Blazer I had. This car really shines in bad weather. It handles snow and rain like a champ, and it eats up country dirt roads. All in all, with the interior room, all weather capability, and storage space, you almost feel like you are driving an SUV... except this has more standard features that most SUVs.

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  Good Start Bad Finish - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By hawtsauc3 - February 11 - 4:34 am

  The negative reviews on this are pretty accurate. I bought mine in 2008 (its a 2007) with 17500 miles on and it was great up until i paid it off. Over this last year its slowly deteriorated along with a massively depreciated value. The negative reviews say between 60k and 100k miles problems start and lo-and behold on my day off yesterday the check engine came on the the transmission started acting up. Got the system re-set and was told it will probably break again. Traded it in today. Its a decent care for the price but once problems start its all downhill.

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  So far so good! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By John-O - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased this vehicle from Cottonwood Suzuki in AZ. Was a little skeptical at purchasing a first year vehicle but the difference in price between the Suzuki and the Toyota Matrix was the deciding factor. I paid $14,464 for the Aerio SX, with the same features the Toyota would of been $17,800. Also, the Suzuki has a larger engine, approximately 10HP. So far it has exceeded expectations. It handles nicely, engine is very quiet while idling although when you punch it you know its there! I just hope it will last as long as a Toyota engine. I guess Ill find out.

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  Real off-roader - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Alex Povolotski - February 8 - 11:36 pm

  The car is a real off-roader in its class. Off the pavement, it beats RAV4, HR-V, Santa-Fe, and probably MItsubishi (though Im not sure about that one). Besides its off-road capabilities, its nothing else. Nothing! Its not a road warrior despite of interior creature comforts. I love the interior and visibility a lot but darn it is noisy! It is the engine noise Im talking about. You cant escape it, especially up the hill. It sounds like another second and the motor will explode out of the hood. You definitely have the feeling that the car is underpowered for its weight and the engine struggles a lot to pull all that weight up hill. Other than that, its a decent car full of defects.

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  ZOOM, Zoom, zoom...boom, boom, boom - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By balddaddy - February 6 - 11:36 pm

  Bought the cheapest no frills car I could find for my 40 mile/day round trip commute. Couldnt find a decent used car so I took all the incentives (military, graduate, end of model year...) and got this Aerio for under 10K! Wow, what a surprise, the stereo sounds awesome and the five speed manual has alot of pep. I bought the optional roof rack and now I carry a 12 foot kayak on the roof every weekend. Definitely a fun, reliable, economical ride, and I even had a kid say "cool car" to me... This care definitely supports my hobbies and budget

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  Billies Review - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By billie - February 6 - 8:20 pm

  A fun vehicle to own. Not only can I go when I want with the quality travel I want, but it is very versatile for a family of 3 (me, my wife and my 12 month old son).

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  Long Drive Commuter - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By 2nd suzuki - February 6 - 7:26 pm

  I commute 120 miles to work and back on the interstate every day and traded in my Verona so I could see over traffic. My gas millage is the same as in the Verona. I am very impressed with the smooth, nimble handling of this vehicle.

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  Great Vehicle for the Price - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Kevin - February 3 - 4:30 am

  We have owned this Grand Vitara for a couple of months now and I can not think of anything negative to say. We are previous Suzuki owners so we were familiar with the quality of product they make. The new body style was appealing but the extra safety features won us over. The interior has plenty of room for a family to travel on a long trip. With all the standard features, this vehicle is definitely a bargain in this price range.