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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  Can Anyone Get Parts for These Cars? - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By dnrportch - October 3 - 9:33 am

  You cant get parts for the Aerio in a timely manner. Example one: the transmission went out in 2006. It was still under extended warranty, but it took 6 weeks to get the parts and it had to be repaired twice. We have a great dealer. Its the car and the factory. The car runs fine now. Example two: after a low speed collision with a deer (he jumped on the hood while chasing another deer across the road in front of us!) we had two dealers try to order replacement parts on three separate occasions. The parts never arrived! Its been eighteen months. You should also know that the car is terrible in wet snow or snow over ice. It is geared too powerfully relative to the weight of the car. I like the gas mileage it gets, but would not buy another.

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  its like driving a bob sled... - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By ricco - September 11 - 10:00 am

  since new it has been wandering all over the road, has had 9 front end alignments will not hold them for more than a week.needed struts,front brakes,fuel tank,computor went bad,four wheel drive stopped working,tires need replaced at 9000 miles.other than that no other problems to speak of...

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  manual transmission - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By Ellen - September 8 - 12:50 am

  I am not happy at all with the transmission in this car. I am already repairing the clutch. the transmission has too much play and is very finicky with RPM to get a shift at the right time for "economy" I have always driven stick shifts. I have 48,000 on the car right now, as I commute a good distance to work. Would not be my choice again. I miss my KIA !!!!

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Glenn - July 7 - 8:43 pm

  The seats are as hard as a rock and uncomfortable. Very slow acceleration. Very sloppy steering with serious under-steer. I rented this car for a few days and was very unimpressed...but its a Suzuki, which is enough said. Id buy the low-end Accord or Camry before this vehicle. No side airbags. A knowledgeable car person wouldnt ever consider this car. I can only imagine the low resale value this car will have in a couple of years

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  buy a better car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By 2006 forenza - May 25 - 1:43 am

  Too many problems. First thing, door handles fell off, second, the power steering pump went out, third had four flat tires within a year, steering sensor stays on all the time, air bag sensor on all the time, now I need four new struts on a less than four year old car, it has no power it definitely is a lemon warranty doesnt cover anything and no help from the dealership run away fast

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  CLASS ACTION PLEASE - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By npowers - May 11 - 10:05 am

  I bot my 2007 Suzuki Forenza in 2009 it had 30,000 miles. I have had constant and continual problems, paint chipping, transmission, oxygen sensor, computer, oil gasket, oil leaking all fluids, mostly continual check engine light for various reasons one after another not even dealership can fix. I have pretty much each and every problem mentioned on other reviews. I have spend numberous amounts of money, time, missed work and tears... Why has there been no recalls or class actions suits. car in shop now after $1,700 in the last 3 months. Wont pass inspection and noone can fix. I am still paying of my loan.. so sad.

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  HVAC - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Steve - March 20 - 10:10 pm

  Hi guys, I had no heat in my Grand Vitara after the huge snow storm. ItÂ’s been a week since I brought it back to the dealer with the problem. The dealer said my heating blower went bad. Suzuki doesnÂ’t have him in the stock and they were on back order. Nobody knows when the part will be in and when I will have heat in my car. The dealer said that I was the fourth person to come in with the same issue. Since I am not the only one having this problem to me this seems to be a recall issue. I just want to let everybody know.

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  Never Again - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mindy - March 17 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my 2004 Suzuki Aerio S in 6/04. From week one I have had nothing but problems with the suspension. My car creaks and clunks in the front and rear. I took it back to the dealer several times for service and was always told the carriage bolts were loose and were tightened. This went on about every three months. Next was the noise from the brakes, then the radio went out and was replaced, gas peddle stuck and throttle was replaced. My cars suspension is still making all these noises and dealer states again all Aerios do this. For some reason, the radio does not work when rear defroster is on. Now the cars front wheel bearings had to be replaced. The suspension still makes all kinds of noises. I have a lawyer handling my car as a lemon.

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  Suzuki Could Have Done Better - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By dreird - March 3 - 6:06 am

  I have made many, many trips to the dealer for numerous mechanical problems with my Verona. I tried different dealers, but they all were just parts changers. They changed the front end bushings, bearings twice, computer, and O2 sensors three times. I have had too many problems to write about here.

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  Adaptive Transmission Malfunction - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Mr. Martin - January 12 - 1:23 pm

  Avoid this car at all costs. The bugs in the adaptive transmission software isnt worked out. This results in hard shifting and the car looking for the right gear. This car is a safety hazard waitng to happen.The dealer has trouble getting parts!