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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  A compact SUV with real 4WD - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Bob - August 27 - 9:03 pm

  I have about 2,500 miles on my Grand Vitara. Having stepped up from a 4 door compact car, the only thing I miss is the good gas mileage, especially with the current gas gouging going on. I have driven mostly on pavement and a little bit on loose sandy beach trails and really have no complaints. The basic feel of the suspension is taut but very comfortable. Its a great looking, great handling, and very comfortable little SUV, whose only real competition for true off-roading is the Jeep Liberty, which, based on my experince is another $5,000, and reputed to be less relaible.

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  Well Equipped for the Price - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By chilaxin - August 26 - 11:36 am

  The Suzuki Aerio has a lot of options for the price and its the only compact car you do not have to be a contortionist to drive.

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  Love this car - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By SWebster - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many cars over the years but I love my XL-7 Limited.

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  love this car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By jewellene - August 24 - 1:26 pm

  i got this car little over year now and i love it ...

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  Great Car, Great Value - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By jperez - August 24 - 5:20 am

  I love it the Reno. It is small sleek, stylish, has power everything, and costs less than $15,000. Enough said.

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  Paint or clear coat peeling off - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By hjb6 - August 23 - 12:50 am

  My car has suddenly had a problem with the clear coat on the hood peeling off. There is an area about 18 inches wide and just keeps growing bigger. Looks horrible. The tire pressure light stays on now all the time. Weve checked and adjusted the pressure over and over and cant get the light to go off. The check engine light came on today and Auto Zone said its coming up with something about the cooling system, most likely the thermostat. Im calling tomorrow to have it all checked out. Its been ok otherwise, but well see.

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  I love this car!! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Chris - August 21 - 8:53 am

  When we first got the car we took it to Rocky Mountain National Park, and the next day it started having troubles starting. At the time they didnt have a fix but a few months down the road a software update came out and that fixed the problem. I have had the car for a year and that is the only problem I have ever had with it. Right now I have put 20,000 miles on it.

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  Long Travels! - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steven - August 20 - 3:13 pm

  I would have to say that this little car has very good fuel economy (28/31mpg). I bought the car new and have really put it through its paces. I have taken it from southern Kentucky down to Miami at about 1100 miles, three times. Most of the miles put on this car are highway. A/C went out after about 36000 miles with the warranty running out at 35000. The seat cloth pulls away and doesnt matter if you put it back on track or not. Its a five speed so that may be why I am gettting better gas mileage than most of the reviews. I had to take it in for some recalls with the water pump and my dim lights went out because of the wirring harness. Overall not impressed but its still running.

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  Nice Job Suzuki! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Sgrant - August 20 - 9:16 am

  The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has an outstanding design. It is an exceptionally well executed vehicle for an unbeatable price. Unfortunately, it has no alarm system and aftermarket alarms are incompatible with keyless start/fob. Also, there is no tint band on windshield. It doesnt have a remote gas flap release and it is a bit noisy. Other things that I dont like about it inc;ude its vague throttle response, lack of a glove compartment light and mudflaps, inaccurate gas mileage readout, and the Silly luxury features that are bundled with the low range gearing. The rest of this truck is great. It begs to be cornered fast and has amazing traction. Its an amazingly sure-footed vehicle. It comes with lots of standard safety features. We plan to keep it a long time.

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  Bulletproof Engines - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By aaronwolfe - August 19 - 2:00 am

  What is it about motorcycle companies that move on to building cars, they make the best engines. This is the second suzuki Ive owned (the first was a sidekick 4 dr), Im pretty abusive to engines in general, high RPMs & irregular oil changes, and I cant ask for a more dependable powerplant. The rest of the car is only so-so, but I know that the car will still be tooling down the road at well over 200,000 miles.