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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  The Best car for your money - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Matt Holbrook - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had the car less then a week so far but love driving it the engine is so quiet and at a stop just purrs I love the car and will recommend to anyone

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  Grand Vitaraas in Great Vehecile - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By mihran kaprielian - June 30 - 5:30 am

  My Grand Vitara is my first Suzuki. I think you need more than a test drive to descide to buy it. When you start comparing the Grand Vitaras looks, specs, and features and then you drive it (after test driving CR-V and RAV4) I think you will be sold. It is as simple as that. Once you get, you will begin to like it more and more. It grows on you every single time you get behind the wheel. I average 20 mpg, which is ok but in this case is great. Think about all the money you save by buying or leasing the Grand Vitara instead of a RAV4 or CR-V and the lower insurance rate. It all adds up. Dont be fooled by 30 mpg when you get the RAV-4. Do the math and see how much the Grand Vitara is saving you every day.

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  This truck is not safe for your family - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By Family - June 29 - 10:56 pm

  We bought this truck hoping for better fuel mpg & better performance. We loved the truck when we first bought but in Aug 2009 we were on vac. the brakes went all the way to the floor & are very mushy. We are still dealing with this issue & no one wants to help us. The Suzuki rep. states everything is fine but two other certified brake tech states that there is a problem. So we have a truck that we can not drive because it is not safe for our family!!!!!

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  NOT SO GOOD - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By djsum5 - June 29 - 10:03 pm

  Ive had this vehicle 2 year and I must say I dont like it. Cheap plastic products used on the interior,You can scratch the surface with your fingernail. If you have a medical skin promlem (Psoriasis) I would avoid bare skin contatac with the plastic,It may aggravate your condition. Fuel economy, I do better with my 2000 Olds Alero comfort, Rides like a pick-up truck,no lumbar support in the drivers seat.

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  Suzuki Costumer - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By proud costumer - June 29 - 7:10 pm

  This car has a lot of complaints and I dont think that they are necessary. Its a $13000 car, what do you expect, a tuned engine from BMW and Mercedes and Audi? This car is not built well but should last you a good 3 years. I dont like the gas mileage but it is a great upgrade from a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 14mpg city 17mpg highway so I think it is a good car, even though it wont last you 10 years like a Camry. I would consider it if you are looking for a good used car.

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  SX4 in the Denver Blizzard! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By SK Denver - June 29 - 6:53 pm

  I owned a 2WD Ford Pickup for eight years in Denver. So call me crazy. The 22" snowfall in December finally got my attention. I was sick of getting stuck. I had done a little research on the SX4 and was curious about it. After I found one (most Suzuki dealers in Denver sell them as soon as they get them) I test drove and took it home. Since then we have had five snowstorms with ice and snowpack everywhere. The SX4 (Suzie is her name now) never showed any hesitation. An additional plus was with all the snow piled up everywhere, parking became an issue for everyone in the big SUVs, but not for me. What can I say? All the other reviews address comfort, ergonomics, and safety, but I am just enjoying how much fun it is

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  Served us well - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By firstimebuyer - June 27 - 11:33 am

  We bought our Forenza new and have been driving it for 5 years. Its not as comfortable as our older bigger car but we expected that. Its always been reliable, no issues. Never noticed a problem with the power and I spend a lot of time on freeways. Dealerships keep selling out and we end up making a day trip to get checkups, warranty stinks - charge an arm and a leg just for normal stuff thank God nothings gone wrong.

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  Mighty Mini-ute - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By pacoacodelshannon - June 25 - 10:00 am

  My Grand "Viagra" is fabulously fun to drive. I always used to say that a car is simply a box on 4 wheels that gets me where I am going. But this little dynamo is so much more! I really love this car...its my baby. Fun to drive, great stereo, great visibility, manuverable too. It did herculean work during my recent house refurb and cleaned up great afterwards. I would have been dead in the water without it.

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  So Far So Good! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Dean - June 24 - 6:30 pm

  I have 2,000 miles on my 2006 Forenza wagon with an auto transmission. Im 5 11", 265 lbs., and am VERY comfortable in this vehicle. Mag rims are a must; the standard rim / hubcap setup cheapens the look of an otherwise handsome vehicle. I am impressed by how quiet a ride the car has, and doing 80 mph happens without effort. The ride is comfortable, the stereo is supreme, and the warranty, safety features, and other standard features that come with the vehicle are an incredible value in comparison to other imports of its class. I have no complaints whatsoever. I am very happy so far with my purchase.

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  A Great Value - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By Phil - June 19 - 11:43 am

  After looking at all midsized models, I couldnt find another that offered as much for the price. Now, after 15,000 miles, it still runs great and the engine is very quiet on the road because of the 6-cylinder engine. It does not have lots of power, its but sufficient. Ive been getting about 27- 28 mpg on the road. My Verona has no problems at this time and I still think it is one of the better looking vehicles on the road. It has good legroom in backseat.