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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  Best Kept Secret - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By bannondorf - February 6 - 2:31 am

  I have owned this vehicle for three months now and can say it is probably the best kept secret in the car industry. Safer than a Volvo, as or more responsive and sporty than a BMW or Audi and much less expensive than any of those. For being the best selling car in Japan I am surprised no one in America has ever heard of it, likely do to a non-existent ad campaign. Great Warranty, Fun to drive, turns heads everywhere I go. The quality of the build, fit, finish and all the little details and gadgets Suzuki included are impressive. This car is defiantly worth a test drive even if your looking at its more expensive European cousins exclusively.

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  Love our Grand Vitara - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Budman - February 1 - 3:23 am

  I never wanted an SUV. Our friend convinced us to take a test drive and we were hooked. It fit our needs and its new design was unique and set us aside from the "normal" look of all other SUVs. The features and quality are just as good as many other more expensive models. So far we have 4,000 miles on our Grand Vitara and we are still happy without any problems.

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  Suzuki Has come a long way! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Verona Fan - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This car has it all interior is spectacular.It is super quite comfortable and has an awsome ride.This vehicles construction is superior to what I have seen lately and the price fully loaded is 19,900 this car looks like a Volvo drives like a 50,000 dollar car.A luxury car at this price? WOW Quality Comfort Performance and Super Value!This is a Suzuki?!@#$

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  A GREAT CAR FOR 19K - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By tabby97 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car.....My previous car was a VW Passat and even though it was a great car this is much more a drivers car.

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  Woderful car originally built in Korea - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By johnchoi409 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  As a characteristic of Korean cars, it has a very quick kick off compared to it horse power. Its silky six cylinder aluminum engine and i would say its as if in between four and six cylinder. Its definitely powerful than four cylinder less than six but it takes more fuel than four since six, but not more than usual six ones. Style, excellent. Its come out in Korea several years ago although redesigned very little bit, its still looking good inside and out. You should definitely say it looks luxury and ride feels luxury enough comfortable. I would get full featured Luxury verona than base model non-featured accord or camry.

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  Best SUV under $30,000 - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By VC99 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The high-performance engine. Good location for the filter. 2 timing chains. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable on driving.

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  A Fun Car to Drive - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ed - January 26 - 6:13 pm

  I have 18,000 miles on my Grand Vitara and up to now I havent had one problem. The other day while making a rather sharp right hand turn at, maybe, 10 mph, a horrible noise came out from somewhere underneath the truck. At this point, my wife (who drives the car everyday to and from work) said to me "oh yeh, I forgot to tell you - its been making that noise when I turn right at this particular intersection." It doesnt do it all the time, and I suspect that it probably wont do it when I take it to the dealership. Other than this, its been a reliable car so far. Im worried about this noise because believe me, it is loud. It will turn heads if anyone is nearby. The cruise control needs some refining.

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  Fantastic purchase - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By zcal77 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This has been a fun car to drive on a daily basis. Though its a naturally aspirated four cylinder, it has a lot of low end torque and the manual six speed uses the power well. It keeps right up with more powerful engines, the 150 horsepower is plenty. It handles way better than the other comparable vehicles I considered, and feels more solid and safe. The only things I think would make it better would be the option of a sunroof and leather. I had those installed, so for me I couldnt ask for more! The styling is also top notch, designed in Italy, it gets a lot of compliments.

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  suzuki xl7 - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By j34half - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my XL 7!. Its a fun to drive vehicle.Contrary to the reviews ,I find that my XL 7 has infinite possibities for cargo and passengers. The third row seating converts in a second to flat storage after shopping and changes back to a bench just as quick for toting the kids carpool. Seriously, the 3rd row is cramped for adults but fine for children. Its compromise between storage and extra seating.This is my ninth new car purchase and by far, my favorite.

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  Best Vehicle for the Money! - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By D. K. Chicago - January 20 - 10:36 am

  Not much to say here, other than you need to drive this car! Handling is comparable to a BMW, styling is over the top! Price, WOW. 24,695 sticker, paid 21,000 OTD. For the individuals commenting on the paint quality, I agree it may not have the thickest paint coating, but its very durable. Try waxing your car with a polymer based wax. Performance on this car is great with the 2.4 and 6 spd manual, I did not care for the CVT. Do your self a favor, BUY ONE!!