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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  nice car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Sarita - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Liked price and looks and features and price,real sporty. Just got and having fun .One nightmare was the only way to get it was the high financing for 66 months of 296.00 and 100.00 down ..What happened to the advertized low payments ,this is going to turn off my friends who like my car, can anyone help on a better rate. I pay my bills.

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  DONT MAKE THIS MISTAKE - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By mo - February 28 - 10:00 am

  3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE MY BREAKS WENT OUT. THE WHOLE RIGHT BREAK PAD CAME OFF AND MY CALIPER WAS DESTROYED. THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT MY BREAKS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR CONSTANTLY SHAKE WHEN I DRIVE. IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 53 DONT EXPECT TO GET COMFY IN THIS CAR. I PAID TOO MUCH FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE TRADE IN VALUE IN A JOKE. I CANT WAIT TO GET RID OF IT, I WILL BE SURE TO NEVER MAKE A GRAVE MISTAKE LIKE THIS AGAIN.

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  kizashi experience - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By hraez - February 28 - 4:26 am

  Just purchased a 2011 Kizashi SE, I have to say that for the money there is absolutely nothing that comes close to this car, I test drove the KIA Optima, Buick Regal, Volvo C30, Mini Clubman, even the Mazda CX7 and I thought the value offered by the Kizashi couldnt be matched. I encourage anyone looking for a midsized or sport sedan to do yourself a favor and test drive the Kizashi, due to poor marketing efforts by Suzuki the Kizashi is not known and is not selling very well which gives the buyer good leverage when negotiating a deal, I got mine for $3600 less than the sticker price and I also got 0% financing for 60 months.

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  10+ Years only ONE maintainence issue - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Toni Stark - February 23 - 8:02 pm

  They dont make Suzuki anymore :(. Reliable, sturdy great car for making long trips as a hospice nurse. Only one maintainence issue (brake line) in 10+ years!!!! Had to replace the CD player twice both under warranty! Overall excellent reliable easily maintained vehicle! Love! Lots of room and cargo space!!!!!!

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  Great Transportation - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By Bob75 - February 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Swift but have had two Geo Metros (same car). The mechanicals are bulletproof. The car is very economical, comfortable and easy to drive. I have made 1500 mile trips in two days in these vehicles.

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  2008 SX4 Crossover AWD auto/Touring - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Norm - February 22 - 10:36 pm

  This vehicle was purchased for my wife as a replacement for her 1997 Toyota RAV4, which we gave to our 20 year old son who is away at college. This car is very similar to the RAV in many respects, small 4 cylinder engine, AWD, about the same size but a little lower to the ground. The SX4 gets decent mileage so far after about 600 miles we are getting about 21 mpg in town and have not taken it for any long rides yet. My wife likes pretty much everything about the car except the lack of an ashtray and the auto climate control is a little confusing at first. Some of the controls do not light up when the headlights are on, such as the steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise control.

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  A Great Lil SUV - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Diana R - February 18 - 4:43 pm

  Ive had my Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited since 2/2002, and it has been a wonderful vehicle to own. Ive had just one recall on it, and I was notified of it promptly. My only regrets were not having side-curtain airbags and a GPS system. The airbag situation seems to have been rectified in the 2006 model.

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  Americas best kep secret - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Dave7001_ - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Got a 5Sp- hard to find but worth the perseverance (not that the auto is bad, I just like to shift).

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  how you treat it is what you get back - 2000 Suzuki Vitara
  By tnrebel351 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  bought for my wife in jan 01.we live in a very remote part of middle tn,at 37k took to dealer for a bad rear main seal replaced at no charge,had tranny rebuilt at 60k 5 speed man,seems like built with cheap bearing material.at 120k still going strong,good little truck.service myself at 5k with mobile 1 syn, other t5han drivers power window inop no prob.bought for the suzuki moter reilabilty,powertrain layout and affordability and more than eager in rough terrain.good little truck,just dont go on any long trips,you will get very unconftable in a short time

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  Not Perfect But I Love It! - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By indiecds - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought w/10,000 miles on it and have driven it 5,000. The car handles fine for me. Each driver needs to decide their own priorities. Two of the Yokohama 195/55R15s wore out in 15,000 miles. This size tire cost $100 at most locations so I changed to 14 inch size designated for the base S model with 185/65R14 tires that are 1/3 the cost and warranteed for more miles. While this does reduce handling it improves the ride & seems more practical if you view this car as an economy AWD vehicle. Viewing it as a sporty AWD vehicle requires sticking with the 15 in wheels & tires. Running lights are too easy to mistake for headlights on. Should be an audible warning when low fuel light comes on.