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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  Lots of Up Keep - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By aggirl - June 9 - 11:40 am

  My car eats my tires. 6 new tires in 2 years! I have to rotate them about every 2,000 miles or they will shred in no time. I have had to replace the brakes twice, both after only 8-10,000 miles, last time I paid up and replaced them outside of the dealership for big money and that seems to be helping. It feels unreliable, I wont drive it long distances as I dont trust my tires on road trips. Needed a new belt at 15, 000 miles and the paint chips off super easy. I would love to love this car because it is so super comfy, tons of room and easy to drive, but it has drained my wallet, it takes more to keep it running than its worth. Perhaps I got lemon.

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  Overhaul experience - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By philip - May 24 - 9:43 am

  Vehicle is comfortable for driving. Need better gas mileage. While driving the vehicle is bit too noisy. Tire sensors malfunction especially on cold days. Passenger door light is not working after several attempts to repair it. Security screen in rear is constantly breaking. Braking system needs much improvement.

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  Suzuki...if only! - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By kungfuking - May 11 - 4:35 pm

  This car is made by 3 (thats right 3) different motor companies. This vehicle is part Suzuki, part Daewoo and part Cheverolet....all LEMON. Dont believe me look under the hood you will see American and Asian parts put together attempting to work in harmony with each other. If you need a cheap car dont look here the maintenance is just too much.

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  goes everywhere - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By terry in pittsburgh - March 20 - 4:36 am

  In 4000 miles, I needed new brakes. The dealer covered it in. 11,000 miles I needed new tires so I bought the best tires I could get.

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  Things that go wrong - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Forezna - February 18 - 11:13 am

  I have my Forenza for 3 years with no problems. Until now in the last 6 weeks I have replaced my battery ($100.00), emc chip ($1200.00). A transmission chip ($1200.00) brakes router redone ($277.00) all 4 struts ($1154.00). And transmission assembly ($280.00)-- I have never had a car with so much problems in such a short time Spam -- I am getting rid of the car and never going back to it. I thought it was a nice car -- I have 50,128 miles on it -- its only 4 years old! I can understand the brakes and maybe the battery but not the others this early in the life of the car. Most people dont have this kind of money to spend on their car. It took all my savings I am getting a new car asap!

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  What a mistake! - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By mesx - February 8 - 8:26 pm

  I bought my Aerio brand new, a year ago and have done nothing but repair this piece of junk since. Its front sway bar bushings came out of the mounting brackets four times, I have replaced six tires because they kept being destroyed by a mechenical defect, Ive had had three alignments done (the dealer took it to a body shop last time, maybe they had to straighten the frame), the power door locks failed, I had the front lower control arm bolts almost fall out, had styrofoam fall off the rear bumper (under painted plastic cover), and the heat shield for the exhaust manifold and the hood were lose and rattling the day I drove it off the lot. This was my first new car and it has given me more problems than my last five used Hondas combined.

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  My take on this cute ute... - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rob in Canada - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I find the G.V. lots of fun to drive, but consumes a bit too much gas! Having changed form a Toyota Camry V6LE to this vehicle, I find it rattles & squeaks and can be annoying at times. Overall, I rate the quality between 7 & 8 on a scale of 10. By the way, the hood latch is responsible for an intermittent squeak, may have to be adjusted more than once... Tends to spin in rain & snow in 2wd but handles well in 4wd.

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  First 20,000 miles - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By OnTheRoad - December 31 - 8:00 am

  Runs ok in slow driving areas. Not good in California, 4 speed transmission needs all it has for Highway Driving. Windshield broke by itself at 13,000 miles, nothing hit it, The Dealer said it is not covered by the Warranty. It fishtails if you need to swerve because runs in front of car, at 40 mph. Gas for me is 29 MPG. The GPS stopped working and needed to be replaced at 10,000 miles. The fender needed to be fixed because it was coming apart at 2000 miles. This car is problematic. Next time Im going to a Honda or older Oldsmobile or Buick or VW.

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  Hunk of Junk - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Pat Hillyer - October 27 - 6:30 pm

  It has ten thousand miles. It started not starting correctly at 4 thousand. At ten thousand just quit entirely. They put in nes software. That lasted one day. Then it would not start again.It has been the shop a week and while I am paying $300 a month---I can ride the bus. Would I buy another? No. Would I take another as a gift--doubt it. The only good thing is the guarantee Te rest is a hunk of junk

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  decent car for the money - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By csk17061 - September 21 - 6:24 am

  i bought this car new in 2007 to use as a work car. it currently has 128,000 miles on it. the car is made a bit cheap but you get what you pay for. for under 10 grand new it was a great buy. the only problems i had aside from basic maintenance is the interior door handles break easily but they are only 4 bucks to buy from a dealer and it takes 15 minutes to put it on. it does seep oil out of the valve cover but again very easy and cheap to fix. this is a picky car, but just like any car if you dont do the routine maintenance things will go wrong. in short, the car is now 5 years old, still runs great and gets the same 32 MPG it did when i bought it.