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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  What a Car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Clifford - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this about 2 months ago. The car is really fun to drive, is peppy, with PLENTY of room inside the vehicle and the trunk is huge and holds lots of items. The car is fully equiped however I paid extra for an arm rest between the front seats. I test drove the comparable Toyota, Ford and Honda. No comparison for the money, Suzuki is way out in front. If this car is advertized properly by the manufacturer, it will become a real rival to its competitors.

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  2006 4WD LUX MODEL - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By littlejjam - May 23 - 11:13 pm

  After 15k miles w/ this vehicle, Im coming away quite impressed. The power from the 2.7L V6 is adequate for most situations; Ive never felt it didnt have enough power to pass or merge. Could it use another 20hp and 30ft/lb of torque? Sure it could. For what it is, the little V6 does just fine. The trans. sometimes stays in a lower gear longer than wanted (uphill climbs). Releasing the gas pedal and allowing the trans to upshift, and then reapplying throttle very gently, usually works to keep vehicle in highest gear possible. Interior design is awesome, "clean and modern". Materials used are consistant w/ this vehicles price range. If you want Lexus luxury, then you should buy Lexus.

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  Out of 19 SUVs this is the one. - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By underpaid - May 21 - 10:00 am

  After reviewing and test driving 19 Midsize SUVs and owning Luxury SUVs for the last 5 years we can the conclusion the Suzuki is by far the best value in the market. Dimensions similar if not larger than Jeeps Grand Cherokee. Fuel economy at 22mpg hwy (24 observed). Luxury features in the EX with a True 4wd system on a truck frame with a car like ride all for $25k LOADED make this one choice you must look into. Pound for pound or dollar for dollar you will not find another vehicle that comes close. Rear leg room is actually better than specifications show, nearly 40" with a 510" driver.

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  Reliable but costly to repair - 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
  By Frank - May 20 - 6:30 pm

  I bought my Suzuki when it was 2 years old and it had just under 25000 miles on it. I now have 120,000 miles on it after about 6 1/2 years of driving. I have had few problems with it. This vehicle is very bad for rust and doesnt hold up well in places where salt is used on roads in the winter!!! They have NO resale value and Dealer parts are ridiculously expensive! You think that you are driving a Rolls when you buy parts. I am not kidding!!! They need to stop being so outrageously greedy when selling replacement parts. I went to the dealer once for a repair and told them I would never come back. I didnt. I shopped for after market parts where ever I could find them.

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  Who wudda thunk? - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Car Dealers Kid - May 20 - 9:30 am

  Edmunds Reviews gave us our first hint about the Suzuki Forenza Wagon and then when we saw the incredible design and size and all the standard options we were "goners." A fantastic warranty adds a big "plus" This car is truly, a "diamond in the rough"

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  Best Car Ever - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Angie Ward - May 17 - 4:46 pm

  I love this car. I have never had a problem with it and it has been driven back and forth across the country five times. My husband is an auto tech and is still surprised at the little amount of work that has had to be done. I have only had to have regular oil changes done.

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  Learned to love this vehicle - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By grandvitdriver - May 11 - 9:17 am

  Overall, an excellent vehicle. Over 85k miles...yep, 85 on an 08...without a serious concern. Stock tires were junk (Yokohama) -- 2 non-repairable flats in less than 5k miles; replaced all 4 w/less than 11k miles. Took me several months, numerous trips to dealer and countless phone calls to resolve the issue of DUST....a true SUV and you cant drive it on a gravel road without be choked with dust? Problem solved (simple!! keep control set to "outside"). I am very pleased with the vehicle. I drive on 35 - 40 miles of scoria (gravel roads) on a daily basis...the GV has held up exceptionally well.

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  Dont waste your money - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By crissy03 - May 9 - 10:31 pm

  I too own a Suzuki Forenza 05 and as soon as it reached the 58,000 mile mark it began in a down spiral. Not to mention that the Suzuki dealer in my area couldnÂ’t even fix the problems which is pretty sad. It all began when the lock on my driverÂ’s side became unscrewed you could literally hear the lock rattling around in my car door of course I had to promptly get this issue fixed. Then I began having problems with my car not starting properly. I would try and start my car and it would immediately die, after a couple of rounds of this it would eventually start up the engine would sputter than it would began to drive smooth. The day this began I took the car into the dealer (by the way my che

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  Best Car I ever owned!!!!! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Alex - May 5 - 4:43 am

  Ive traded my Honda civic for this car and it was worth it!!! Immaculate reliability and I average 28 mpg city. I got this car for a little less than 12 thousand and I have been very satisfied!! My mom convinced me to get it because she had an Aerio with 267,000 miles with no problems! Great warranty! I call her Suzy and the girls like her too, they tell me shes cute. But overall, great car for the money, get yourself a Suzy and stop paying $20,000 + for Hondas and Toyotas, power windows are not even standard in the base price! This car is worth every penny and its Japanese quality. Could you imagine if it had more horsepower?

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  Our Four Wheel Motorcycle - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Dave W. - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Our little suzy is quite a nice ride! I fell in love with the black onyx paint, it is beautiful! This car is the most defect free car I have ever owned, my only real problem is with the radio which Suzuki didnt build. Great handling, good power, easy entry/exit, practical, fun, sporty, good looking etc. Some trim noise on coarse roads, Im running these down myself and fixing them. I love the digital dash, its simple and the speedo can be read at a glance. The car isnt perfect but it sure is close... we love it!