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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  Best car ever !! - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By western mass fan - June 14 - 12:16 pm

  Purchased new for $10,700 with sticker reading $14,999 and love the car. Its sporty drive (5 speed) and great economy 35 mpg or more place it next to my suzuki motorcyle in fun. Oil changes every 3000 miles and original spark plugs at 93,000 miles and running like a top. Rust is starting on door bottoms, and had to replace the front sub frame this month (big bucks). Still cant complain and wish I could get it back from my daughter.

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  Enjoying the Suzuki Aerio Premium AWD - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Hazel - June 12 - 12:26 pm

  The Suzuki Aerio Premium AWD is a winner. It has been navigating icy roads and hills with ease. It has good acceleration and stopping power which I consider important for safety. All of my family members love it. The trunk has a wide opening and plenty of room for an oversize stroller and lots of other items. It is getting good gas mileage, too.

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  Hate this car! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By tamip8400 - June 8 - 5:16 pm

  This car is junk! I havent had the car a yr and the door handles broke off, the key is constantly stuck in the ignition which runs the battery down, the gears wont shift at all, wont start in cold weather, terrible on tires! There are hundreds of people online with the exact problems and no recalls for any of it! BEWARE!

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  Great features! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Charly - June 3 - 6:36 pm

  This vehicle excels in the fun to drive department, at least with manual transmission. I like the exterior design. The fact that there are not too many sx4 in the streets, makes this car more attractive.

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  Love My Reno - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By devbot - June 1 - 3:56 am

  I purchased my Reno as a birthday present to myself. I love my car, and how it hasnt broken down yet. Ive owned mine for about six months now. The interior is very roomy, and the instrument panel is very simple and logical. Styling is very European, and theres plenty of space in the trunk. My only real complaint about it, is that I wish there were a more powerful engine option. I know this is an economy car, but I really wish that it had like the SX-4 engine option. The suspension could be a little stiffer, I mean it handles well, but Id like less body roll. Again I know this is an economy car, but sometimes you may have to do some avoidance maneuver.

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  overall review - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By sirlinehane - May 29 - 2:00 am

  very well put together vehicle, roomy comfortable and best of all lots less then a honda or toyota. better warranty!

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  A good value - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By scharlap - May 28 - 10:00 am

  An inexpensive 7 seater.

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  NICE VALUE - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By blades1 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle really surprised me, great looks nice power and great price.

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  love to drive my Forenza - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By julie wisler - May 25 - 9:56 pm

  I enjoy the way it handles. Its great on gas and so much fun to drive. I had a truck so its a nice change, especially with the gas mileage it gets. Its very roomy, which I like because a lot of small cars dont have a lot of room. My husband is over 6 feet tall and hes very comfortable driving it and being a passenger.

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  Decent.... - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By MIke - May 24 - 3:40 pm

  This car is very fuel efficient. I can usually get almost 400 hundred miles on a full tank of gas. The engine is a little rough, but its only a 4 cyclinder so that is expected.