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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  Yyou have got to be kidding me! - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By SERIOUSLY? - September 17 - 10:00 am

  After the first week of having this car it completely died on me with no explanation. The air smells like mold whenever I turn the a/c or the heat on, me being pregnant doesnt help my tolerance level at all. The transmission is going out, shifts horribly, the driver side airbags do not work (the light is on 24/7) and the passenger side sensor doesnt work when it should. The cars only 2 years old has 40k miles, I cannot believe that there are this many problems with it so soon. Blown speakers, windows are off the tracks.

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  Love it! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By CHIP - September 16 - 4:53 pm

  10 months of driving and still loving this little car. Fuel tank could be bigger but makes me feel better with the cheap fill ups. Traded in a PT Cruiser Limited which was very unreliable and havent regretted it yet. Great car for the money!

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  Watch out for Trans Problems - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By biklover52 - September 13 - 4:59 pm

  My wife bought this car in 09. At first she liked it very much. Mileage is not great around 25 on the highway. We took a couple longs trips and thats when you notice how small it is inside. Through town or back and forthe to work is ok. Around the 70k mark the trans mission went out and we had it replaced under warranty. We at about 85k the trans went out again. So we dicided to get ride of it before anything else went wrong. Suzuki told us this was very unusual and worked with us through all of it. We might purchase another one but not sure.

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  I hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By i hate it!!!!!!! - September 12 - 9:26 pm

  This car is a piece of junk after 5 attempts to fix a problem i had to put a new transmission in @ 18000 miles and it still doesnt work the staff @ my local dealership is a joke this car is a waste of money i hate this car the metal is so flimsy and rusted and has pot marks all over the car drive thru car washes will bend the hood dont ever buy this car

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  A Cute Little Bug - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By steeler fan - September 12 - 11:40 am

  This is my first new car (& Im pushing 50) so I have driven many cars over the years!! I have to tell you, I just love this little "bug" (what my family calls her). Ive already taken it on a 350+ trip and had to keep watching my speed - after finding myself going over 75 a few times!! Yes, merging back onto the interstate wasnt the fastest, but lets remember what we were driving folks - a great little 4 cyl. that is fun to drive and got great mileage right out of the gate! The stereo sounded good, and I do like the auto climate controls. I cant wait to see how "she" does in our western PA winters! Definitely a keeper I think!

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  Cool little car - 2008 Suzuki Reno
  By vickid - September 12 - 10:03 am

  Good car for the price with a good warranty. Comfortable, good looking. Lots of base price features. Its zippy, quiet, and rides well.

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  A Bad One - 1999 Suzuki Vitara
  By Buyers Remorse - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I owned this vehicle for 19 months. I was at the service department 6 times during this short time period. The first time for an electrical problem that wouldnt allow the vehicle to shift out of park. This went in "3" times before they got it right. (I demanded they contact the Suzuki Tech Rep). Then it went in for a front axle shaft, then it went in for an engine seal. Its been in for defective windshield wiper switch, engine tapping of which the dealership said to change the oil and wait for two changes with anything but a "Fram" oil filter. Then they were going to try adjusting the valves ON MY DOLLAR!!!! When I made the complaint during the warranty period.

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  Great Wagon - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By R Cowan - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car 2 months ago and already have 8,000 miles on it. It has been a wonderful so far. The quality of the interior is excellent and the doors close with a very solid sound. It feels like a quality automobile and I have enjoyed owning it so far.

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  Suzuki 06 - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By naag22 - September 7 - 8:16 pm

  We were happy with our vehicle in the first year of purchase.We have now realized that we need more room and the fuel economy is not what was expected by far!! It does not pick up speed as well either. A good car but not great. We are a family of four now and need something more efficient and roomy.

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  love My Uki - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Renetta - September 7 - 10:03 am

  Ok, I went out on bought this on my own and I could not be prouder... I love it... It is roomy and comfortable... with all rows of seats up there is not much cargo room, but then who travels with 6 pasengers.... The only fault I have found is that is eats gas like I do MacDonalds french fries... and on the highway it is somewhat noisy, however for the past 7 years I have driven a Honda Acord EX...so the comparisson is probably not fair... It makes me feel young and sporty...didnt really need the 4 wheel drive...but now I have no excuse not to visit the kids in Utah and Idaho in the winter.... I love the 6 CD changer...and the interior is great... Ilove the fact that the rear door swings out.