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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  To the Swift! - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By collegeguy - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought this for college @ 60k its at 110k now over the course of 1.5 years. I love things and hate things about it. Manual everything is my style and cassette player is great for cheap mp3/i pod playing. Has no ponies but once up to speed is fine, however the automatic gets terrible mpg (25 highway ~33-35 town) at higher speeds. Snow tires/cruise control/remote starter/new speakers are all great upgrades. All replacement parts are cheap for these puppies. Be prepared for the "Suzuki Squeal" i.e. the fan belt squeals loudly since the design has no tensioner. Im currently trying to ghetto rig a fix for this. Im also having AC problems but just use recharging kits from Wal-Mart to fix

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  Forenza #1 - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Rachel - October 10 - 5:50 pm

  Well I just recently bought a Suzuki Forenza, and I love it! It is fast, roomy, has tons of features, and the best part is it is affordable. I just want to let people know that I am greatly satisfied with it. People always come up to me and ask what I’m driving. When I tell them, they can’t believe it’s a Suzuki. Your competitors are charging thousands more than Suzuki, and for what? Words can not explain how satisfied my family and I are!

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By teds1782 - October 8 - 9:03 pm

  This is by far the best car I have ever owned (and I have owned a lot). It drives great, good power for a small good, very comfortable, the all wheel drive is AWSOME this car does great in the snow. Only comlaint cargo area is a little small other than that very excellent car!!!!!!

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  Grand Vitara - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By t2trider - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car for in most categories. The major problem is interior room. Children even have a hard time sitting in the back seat. However, the car is great for around town and has plenty of power to play with. Solid construction.

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  My Aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Unruly - October 7 - 2:00 am

  My SX exceeded my expectations for a small car.Suzuki gave me the extended warranty after purchase.The car performs w/pep w the 5 speed manual.It has suffcient power to pass at 75-80mph and has smoothly purred at 109 on a flat road on a hot sunny day.Even at high speed the car handled well with little roll and lower rpms than expected. The interior has room for such a small car, the AC kicks butt over the toyota matrix, vibe and honda civic - in Phoenix it is good to test drive in mid summer for back seat AC performance.Fully loaded at base it was the most logical decision to make over the competition.

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  wonderful - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By micky - October 6 - 10:00 am

  What a great car. I havent found anything I dont like about it. Quiet and quick and I love the digital dash!

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  Economically priced - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Frank Nabulsi - October 5 - 8:56 am

  I figured the Suzuki Ex for the price of $13,800 and some change out of the door (OTD) the gamble is worth it. The vehicle is loaded with leather seats, front and back airbag, power windows, full fledge alarm system, Cruise control, AM/FM CD/ Cassette player, Sun roof, Fog lights and audio control buttons located on the steering wheel. It also has 3 years of road service, 7 years warranty on major mechanical components, for that price I really cannot complaint. I was driving this vehicle for a week and a half and it give me better gas mileage than my Sienna LE.I owned Town & Country Crysler and they brought nothing but stress and nightmare.

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  I LOVE MY AERIO - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By BEVERLY HOLLOWAY - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY AERIO. IT IS FUN TO DRIVE AND I GET GREAT GAS MILAGE. EVERYONE LOOKS AT THE CAR. THERE IS ONE THING HOWEVER THAT I DONT LIKE BUT ITS NOTHING MAJOR I WAS TOLD. THAT IS THE RIGHT FRONT FEELING LIKE IT IS BOTTOMING OUT...AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS A STRUT BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IS THE WAY SUZUKI MADE IT. I THINK SUZUKI SHOULD MAKE SOFTER RUBBER PIECE TO PUT ON THE ARM SO THIS DOESNT HAPPEN.

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  Luv tha Bannana Slug!! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By SlabCab - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Im 28 years old and I bought my 03 Electric Yellow Aerio SX wagona because of price and economy. Traded in my problematic 94 Cadillac Eldorado that I loved so much. Oh well. The Suzuki has proved to be a reliable, fun, and practical car. Plenty of power even in an automatic and great gas mileage. Includes a long list of standard features and extras, plenty of room and cubby holes. Great for traveling or hauling all my friends for a party night in Seattle. I was and still am surprised at the amount of attention this car gets. A real head turner!

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  I luv this car!!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Janice Henry - September 29 - 4:04 pm