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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  My Third One - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By WOldaker - July 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the 3rd 4wd Suzuki I have owned. irst was a Samauri,then Side Kick. and the last one the Vitara. After owning the "dangerous" Samuari :=) I knew I would probabably never drive anther brand though would opt for more comforts. It was time for my wife to get a new vehicle so she ended up with the Vitara. My Sidekick only has 170000 miles and is not ready to go yet. My wife teaches at 2 colleges 50+ miles from each other and I wanted to have a reliable, durable and safe vehicle for her in any weather or situation. That sums up the Suzuki Vitara.

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  Best Value SUV - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Perry Armstrong - July 24 - 7:33 am

  I have not had one problem with my XL-7. It rides nice and smooth like a car and it I love the "power switch." Its like a James Bond SUV (used for passing or for getting a jump start). I dont have any complaints. Its a great value buy. This is why we purchased it.

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  Suzuki Forenza - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Matthew - July 20 - 2:06 pm

  The Suzuki Forenza is one of the best vehicles I have owned or driven. It is very comfortable to ride in and to drive. The vehicle looks like a top notch ride, but it comes at a fraction of the cost. The interior comes with plenty of places to store any items that might need to be placed out of the way. In all, this is a very roomy and comfortable vehicle to own.

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  Peice of S@#$ - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By JC - July 19 - 10:16 am

  I am also having transmission problems, door handle problems, and one i havent seen on here is the brake lights are coming on randomly and staying on and killing my battery, I expect the brake switch is faulty, Im thinking about just outing a master disconnect on the main battery cable and shutting it off when the car is not in use, sure cure any electrical pull Rather it is the brake switch or not!

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  Great ride - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By carguru29 - July 18 - 10:00 am

  After being a loyal fan of the VW Golf, I was in the market for a new ride. I chose the SX4 sport touring edition, and it has been perfect. faster, better traction and handles better than any of my Golfs, and better than the wifes Honda.It has a lot better design too. Its a car worth looking if your shopping in the price range.

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  Just terriffic! - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By nicolasR - July 18 - 10:00 am

  If youre shopping for a sporty compact, test drive one an youll be sold. Sx4 is fun, feels like a more expensive small sports compact, think a4/ jetta/ s40 but at a fraction of the cost. I was considering a jetta, my wife liked the mini Cooper, but after contemplating we landed at 2 Suzuki sx4s, one hatch back (cuter than a Cooper) and a sedan with the se package. We traded in a Civic and insight, and were glad to be rid of those two. The sx4s are way ahead of Honda in this segment, not to mention way better looking :) both have been a dream to own, not one complaint.

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  Superb Suzuki aka Fiat - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By talledega66 - July 18 - 10:00 am

  The car has been simple to own, the maintenance schedule is easy with the timing chain instead of belt ( as seen on more expensive cars), the oil changes every 7500 miles, with a special we got free a maintenance package. Suspension is better than any other comparably priced compact sedan, even better than one I drove costing almost 10k more. It feels heavier really secure at all speeds, corners well. Overall the 150 hp engine is enough with manual 6 speed (I test drove automatic and it was also adequate), but not as much fun. The car gets attention, people always like the styling. For a small car theres a lot of head and leg room even in back, overall it was the best choice

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  I Love It - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By trajtman - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I just got my new SUV, a Suzuki Grand Vitara and i really like it. I just wish that I could have afforded the 4WD one, but I love mine.

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  2006 Suzuki Reno - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By dora5 - July 17 - 7:40 am

  I purchased my car in 2011 at 48,000 miles, and the biggest problem is that it isnt good on gas. Also, I was told by a mechanic at a a Goodyear Service Center two days ago that I might need struts, rack and pinion work and rods!!! Even though the car was given a clean bill of health just six months ago, and only has 52,000 miles on it. Today, I went to the Suzuki authorized service center and they said I dont need anything but an alignment and new wipers. They thought the struts where getting dry, but not a problem. Seems to me Goodyear wanted to make a little money. To be safe, I am taking it to a third shop just in case. Luckily, I purchased an extended warranty.

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  Cheap car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Angie - July 14 - 12:43 pm

  Bought the car in 2007, I Had the transmission fault issue, the door handle issue, the paint on the wheels issue, the seat belt recall issue. the acceleration issue. Now I am buying my second set of tires, why put these expensive tires on this cheaply built car? It does get me from point A to point B, I do feel safe.