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 - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By VIVA VERONA - May 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND SUZUKI, MY WIFE HAS AN XL-7. I WAS DECIDING BETWEEN THE NEW MALIBU AND THE VERONA..I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. I LOVE THIS CAR, IT RIDES GREAT, LOOKS GREAT, AND ALL FOR 6 THOUSAND LESS THEN THE MALIBU LT

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  My Little White Tank - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By CtYank42 - May 9 - 1:40 pm

  This is my third Suzuki automobile, having owned an 88 Chevy Sprint and a 93 GEO Metro. While the little three bangers were great on gas, and very dependable, they werent nearly as well built and fun to drive as my SX4 Sport. One of the reasons I bought another Suzuki - my seventh including four motorcycles - is the build quality of the Japanese built models. I considered a Forenza and a Verona but I wasnt comfortable with the quality control reports on the South Korean built cars. My SX4 Sport has two wheel drive (all the four sedans are 2WD) and it handles better than any small car Ive ever owned, including an 02 SVT Focus. I havent averaged less than 31MPG in 3000 miles. Fun

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  Great car for family and sports - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Max - May 9 - 1:56 am

  In 2005 we decided to buy the XL7 used, 6000 miles on it looking new and for a great price, way lower than a new one wouldve cost. It was a dealers test drive car. Since weve got it nothing wrong happened. I have done the brakes on it at 30000 and costed $70.00 It gives average 18 to 22 MPG combined HWY and City. Regular gas is just fine. Very resistent, reliable and confortable.4WD is wonderfull when needed. Long trips are nice and smoth. The features from manufacture are great. My wife gets complements from all her friends, her car looks Young...they say. Very good car for the price. Low cost to keep mechanicaly. Looks better and runs better now that is paid for!

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  A home run for Suzuki - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mr. Bill S. - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I am a proud owner of an Electric Yellow SX. Simply, a great car. One of the best I have ever owned (beleive me, I have had a few, to say the least). The car is Roomy, comfortable, has a great driving position and a taught well controlled ride.

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  Great car for the price I paid - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Rubens - May 4 - 1:16 am

  I bought this car one year ago. My car is 5 speed and I dont have any problem at all. For the price I paid the car has a lot of features. In the city it makes 24 MPG and on the freeway it makes 30 MPG.

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  Great ride for the money, any money - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By VicBSEE - April 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my first ever brand new car, and could not be happier with my choice. It has great looks, drives great, very quiet and has many extra bells and whistles usually found only on much more expensive cars. If you need a new car, at a good price, get this one.

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  Great Car For Small Sedan - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By toadboy - April 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for the price and have been very pleased with the overall experience. Suspention is soft on the road but tight in corners, engine with the five speed is peppy(compared to other small sedan base engines Toyota, Honda, Focus), and the build quality is great. The Forenza is very comparable in size to my wifes Ford Contour and the overall ride is much better than the Ford Focus. Suzuki did a great job with this car. This vehicle will get over 30000 miles a year put on it so it will get a good work out.

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  Love My XL7 - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By irelandives - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Only complaint about the vehicle is the cupholders are inconvienient. Runs like a dream has gone everywhere without difficulty. The dealership, Bob Lewis in San Jose, ripped me off big time with the lease and have been a really awful dealership in many respects... dont go there, get it somewhere else.

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  Nice Ride - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By markcarpenter34 - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Really nice looking vehicle. Priced with the RAV4, but looks and feels more like a 4Runner. The interior could have used a little more thought. The radio is mounted low on the dash, and the third row should just be folded down, because no one could sit back there. Excellent service on vehicle so far.

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  Well kept secret - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By joer5 - April 22 - 6:03 am

  My son just bought his first new car, a 2010 Kizashi SE, CVT, AWD. Beautiful interior with top of the line materials, very comfortable seats, quite a few standard features found on cars 10 to 20K more. Handles great, fun to drive, and looks better and better each time I see it. Why buy a Camry or Accord when the Kizashi looks better, has more features for the dollar, and a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty! Suzuki has a winner here.