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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  This is a good car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By tony - December 19 - 5:06 am

  The Forenza has pretty good performance, a very good body style, an excellent stereo, stops on a dime, and comes with lots of extras that other models of this type do not have. Go with the LX or EX model and you get what you pay for. They say it has a lot of wind noise, but when the windows are up this car is very quiet and smooth.

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  Quick Ride - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By SXer - December 18 - 1:33 pm

  I have had my Aerio SX Wagon for a year now and it is great. It handles well and looks good. I searched for a good car with good horsepower and came across the Aerio. Its 2.3 DHOC engine is great. I wanted to get another one but Suzuki does not make them anymore. I will have to settle for the Sedan. This car can do more if it had more performance parts.

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  No Complaints So Far... - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By spudcav - December 17 - 5:35 pm

  Purchased the car used in November 2011 with 21,400 miles. Six thousand miles later I have had zero problems. I have only changed fluids and rotated tires. Traded a 4-cyl Ford Ranger for the SX4. Gas mileage for both vehicles is the same: 27 city/30 highway. However the SX4 has AWD, a primary reason for the purchase. It supposedly carries the lowest MSRP of any AWD vehicle sold in the U.S. Although after owning the SX4 six months, nothing on it appears cheap. The glowing consumer reviews on Edmunds sealed the deal (thanks Edmunds’ readers). It is a tall vehicle which probably explains the high wind noise which becomes annoying at speeds greater than 80mph. Also the engine needs a

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  Tough, economical car back roads and city traffic - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By mistyridgeman - December 17 - 4:30 pm

  The 2.0 liter engine with manual 5-speed is snappy and responsive. Drop it into 4th on the highway and you have plenty of passing power. On back roads, it clings to gravel and dirt, and it handles great in snow (assuming you actually know how to drive in snow). This car has walked through mud, snow, tall weeds, and easily navigates city streets (drove it through downtown Chicago with ease). The newer six-speeds lack the snap and downshifting is finicky, so Ill be keeping my 5-speed rather than trading up. Best car in its class, especially for the money.

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  Its a fun car to drive but not very practical - 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
  By Ruslan - December 16 - 2:17 am

  First off, this car is a lot of fun to drive, especially with the top down in summer. Its also pretty reliable and never failed to get me when needed. On the negative side, its it does show its age. The plastic trim crumbles, the exhaust manifold cracked and had to be replaced, the AC was not that strong. The 3 speed transmission was ok under 65 mph, but going above would bring MPG down into 12-15 range. The EGR was getting clogged. And getting spare parts became a huge problem because Suzuki went out of business in the US.

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  Great Crossover - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By jwjones - December 15 - 2:56 am

  I could not be any more please with the quality and attention to detail, very fun to drive.

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  Great value for the money - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By tony - December 13 - 9:06 am

  This car runs very good and has been very reliable. The car came fully loaded with the aero pkg, kyb sport spsn, yokohama advans and sportline alloys. This was a limited edition. At 67k this car runs and handles very well, I use castrol syntec 5w30 in engine and royal purple in tranny. I wash the car with meguires and wax with zymol. The color is deep space blue. I turned the front rotors 2x and replaced the pads also. I change engine oil and filter every 4k miles, since tranny does not have a filter I change tranny fluid every 15k miles, mpg highway avg 28 (advan 15" tires) mpg city 24 avg

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  What a Hoot! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By The Pegster - December 13 - 2:46 am

  I was not looking for this car when I found it. This little car just had everything! The AWD is what sold it for me. We have a very steep driveway in New England, so either a 4WD or AWD is a must. It worked great this winter. I do a lot of city driving, and its great fun zipping around town. I cant wait until they come out with a convertible!

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  Good for the price? - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By David - December 13 - 12:43 am

  I thought this car would be good on gas and boy was I wrong! The dealership said it would get better the more I drive it, but who wants to drive more than they have to with the price of gas as it is. I get about 325 to 360 miles per tankful, which averages about 25 to 28 mpg. I have the standard and when it is in 5th gear it sounds like it is going to take off. I think there should be an overdrive or sixth gear.

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  Happy Forenza owner - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By petert - December 12 - 4:20 pm

  I purchased my Forenza 12/28/05. I have almost 9,000 miles and love the new car! I have the 5-speed which gives it a little extra pep when needed. I travel to Atlanta a lot - this used to take me 1.5 tanks of gas in my old car - I now drive door to door approximately 390 miles with gas left over to get around town! The most mileage I have gotten to the tank was 422 miles - I think I could have pressed it a little further but my E light had been on so I didn’t want to take any chances. I had my first tune up @ 7,500 miles - an oil change, tire rotation, etc. cost $22 only. So far I have nothing but good things to say about my Forenza. I have recommended it to my family and friends.