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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  Great car - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By MD - July 24 - 10:03 am

  Bought a SX4 JX last fall. No problems at all with it. Its built like a tank, and I enjoy driving it very much. There are some small things and it could use a touch more power and better fuel economy, but no car is perfect. For the price, this has to be one of the best values out there. And its unique. Looks better than those other economy cars out there in my opinion.

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  Cool Car! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Jerry - July 20 - 1:30 pm

  I love it, especially size of this car. It is easy to drive and excel in all season weather, rain, ice, snow. I used AWD 4 wheel drive. It amazes me.

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  Our New Suzuki Verona - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Lashrue1 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Verona mainly for comfort. My wife has artheritus in her neck and most cars force her to hold her hed so it is painful to ride in. The Verona is excellent. Extremely comfortable to ride in and roomie. I;m 62" and very comfortable driving. Little or no outside noise, quiet running. we have had no problems. we have 1600 miles on it and just love the car. Excellent sound system too!

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By molotri - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Problems with the brake pads but dealer and others say is ok and there is no defect still I hear that crunching sound from the break pads from the front right side tire, I checked and there is a technical problem on the brake pads -along with 7 more TSBs and 1 windshield recall. Also, the cd player, it either does not work or the laser is dirty, but still, for 8mo of use it should not be doing that. Otherwise, for all the options and features this is a great car for 12K.The awd is great and gives me a lot more confidence for MN weather. It surely beats the low quality ford, chev or the hi $ honda. The car is very strong I can feel it and I am planning to own it until it breaks apart !!!!!!

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  outstanding car for the price - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By carlkachauskas - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable ride; seats four adults very nice; Has very good acceleration; handles well on curvy roads, very little lean or sway; my economy 22 mpg city,28 to 30 mpg hiway; lots of trunk space; average leg room, could be a problem with headroom for anyone over 74 inches in height. I have previously owned two Honda accord EXs and this Verona is equal to and better in most categories. The current Honda EX-V-6 with comparable equiptment cost about 8K to 10K more. I would highly recommend this car over Honda and Toyota.

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  06 Suzuki Forenza - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By tybri93 - July 19 - 9:44 am

  My 06 Forenza has been an excellent car. Bought it with 90,000 miles on it and it now has 111,000 miles on it in one year. Its only had one thing go wrong, and that was a bad battery, that just had to be changed. Nothing the car had to do with it. The performance is awesome with the stick, and the engine. The engine is incredibly willing to do what you want, especially when you hold it 2nd or 3rd gear. Im tall and there is plenty of room, for me and my passengers. Doesnt leak oil, or anything like that. It starts up every morning, rain, snow, sun, anything it doesnt complain. The car performs well in all terrain whether snow and ice are on the ground or not.

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  The best thing - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By christian - June 28 - 1:50 pm

  This is the best thing thats happened to me. the aerio is the best hatchback compared to the matrix (XR)and the mazda 3

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  Great Value - Best Kept Secret - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Mark - June 21 - 3:36 pm

  The Grand Vitara is one of the best kept secrets in the small SUV market. It delivers terrific performance on a scale unexpected for the size and class. The Grand Vitara is well engineered and thought through on a practical level. It has lots of extras that make it a terrific value for the money. The chiseled looks turn heads and break the mold of all the other cars in its class. Its refined in unexpected ways and delivers comfort and convenience along with practical usefulness in all respects.

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  luv the little ute - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By pickemup - June 21 - 10:00 am

  So far we are very happy with our purchase. The limited has all the creature comforts. Leather is very comfortable. Once you figure out the seats they are easy to use. It is easy to drive and the interior is well thought out. IT is great looking too. Gas mileage so far (just under 1000 miles) is not great. Less than 15 mpg.

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  Great quality for the price! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By lawnchaircrew - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is incredible (especially for being a suzuki)! I was skeptical when going to test drive it but when I did it amazed me. The variable power steering is awesome and gives you alot of control over the car. Even though it only puts out 126 horses, it really wants to get up and go. The interior styling is superior over its opponents. Over all the egronomics of this car (being a suzuki) leave me flabbergasted!!