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 Value for Your Money - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Mario - June 4 - 4:13 am

  This car is really great on gas. I have no complains. It has a lot of features for the price.

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  Kizashi/Pisahsi........ - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By mfleming - June 3 - 4:30 pm

  I am a loyal Audi owner, but decided to take chance on this purchase. I have a pearl black fully loaded version, the only version sold in Canada. So far, the car has been phenomenal. It is quiet, refined, interior is all leather and very well put together. The sporty ride and good power are as advertised, and very impressive. I am getting used to the CVT, but the paddle-shifters compensate for tranny issues, as I would have preferred a stick, but it is not sold here. It is not an Audi, but is very close, and for $20,000 less than a comparably equipped A-4, I am a happy camper. I will likely avoid all of the reliability issues/problems encountered with the audis in the long run. Great job.

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  Suzuki Convert - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Suzuki convert - June 1 - 12:16 am

  I only bought my 2006 Suzuki Aerio because the 2006 Honda Civic was out of my league. It turns out that this was very fortunate for me. Its big, comfortable, and has lots of zoom. This is a fun car and it is loads cheaper than Hondas!

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  If you must have 7 seats - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By flowfacs - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive test drove the base model and the ride was much softer than the touring model which Ive purchsed. Its not the most comfortable vehicle, but it does seat seven reasonably. If you want 7 seating and have 7 full sized adults, dont even think about this car. If you have 2 or more small children and 2 adults then consider this vehicle. If you can afford Acura MDX, I say go for that. I understand it rides much better.

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  I Like My XL-7 - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Ed Eskew - May 29 - 6:26 pm

  My 2004 Suzuki XL-7 has been a reliable and fun to drive truck. 3The 3rd row seats are not particularly roomy, but serve the purpose when we need to carry a few more kids. Its ride is a little harsh, but not jolting, and this is an "SUV". It handles and rides much better than most of the big truck-based SUVs Ive driven. My milage was a little less than I had expected, but still better than most trucks. I suppose that the aerodynamics play a part in that.

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  Dependable - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By Very Happy - May 29 - 2:40 pm

  Weve had our fully loaded XL7 for a year and a half and only had to replace the alternator. It drives great, has plenty of power and handles well. I cant wait to try out the 4WD in the snow... We are a pretty tall family of four and room is sometimes an issue but having taken it on several long distance trips, it suits our needs well.

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  SX4 Crossover - 2012 Suzuki SX4
  By cfiaime - May 29 - 5:20 am

  We own two 2011 Suxuki SX4 Crossovers, one with CVT, the other with the manual transmission. Both are worthy performers in both dry and inclimate weather. Ive done several 600 mile days in both cars and found them more comfortable than many full size cars. I particularly appreciate the i4wd system which allows for either 2wd or 4wd operation. In snow deeper than the rocker panels I had no problem with traction, steering, or braking. Both cars are averaging well over 28 MPG in town, which is quite a bit higher than the EPA estimated mileage.

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  Kizashi - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By GG - May 28 - 6:10 am

  On 1/22/2010 my wife and I took delivery of 2010 suzuki kizashi sls awd ctv. The car drives very well,it feels very solid and tight as a drum and therefore quiet and with very little road noise intrusion into the cabin. Suzuki did a great job with the interior of the car, one will notice excellent interior materials and ergonomics, in my opinion it is much better than usual competition. The awd is a plus and the fact that one can turn it off is an excellent feature. This is not the car that was intended to beat mustangs or like cars in 0 to 60 race but if one chooses to have little fun, kizashi will deliver. The only disappointment: cramped back seats and single cd changer

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  best buy - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By august steffen - May 26 - 2:00 am

  test drove most of the competition. in my estimation the aerio blew them away.

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  Great Car!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Bratt - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Im Not only an owner of two Suzukis Im also a Suzuki Salesman. I have done many hours of research on all the vehicles from toyota, to honda to the lesser knowns. The Suzuki stacks up well every time. Aside from that, I see many of them come in on trade always with the same story "I never had to do anything to it" Oil changes, tires and brakes, thats it!! I have personally seen more than my share of suzukis with more than 200,000 miles, 4 of them over 300,000 all telling of the low maintnenence.