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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  Has held up well - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rey - March 28 - 12:43 pm

  Have owned my GV since October, 2005. It now has 52,000 miles. So far have only replaced front brake pads once, power steering idler pulley (under recall), oil changes, coolant, wiper blades, headlight bulbs (twice) and a new set of tires at 40,000 mi. The vehicle has been trouble free minus the recall above. I have no real complaints with reliability/durability. Wish fuel mileage were better. Has held up quite well.

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  Same Problems As the 06 - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By Cris - March 28 - 9:43 am

  I was put into a 07 Suzuki Reno after I had “hard start” issues with the 2006 model after having the car for just five days. The ’07 model developed hard start issues, again after just five days. The dealer put me back in the ’06, which he claims is fixed. This issue first became apparent in the ‘06 last Spring, although the company has yet to develop a permanent fix. Suzuki claims (through the dealer) that the hard start problem is limited to the ’06 and the ’07 I got was a fluke. If I could get Suzuki to void my contract, I would and I would never again buy a Suzuki or recommend one to anyone, even my worst enemy. Don’t even consider this car!

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  Great Vehicle - I Love It - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By blayzmoon - March 26 - 10:10 pm

  I love my Suzuki Aerio. It is very comfortable, with a surprising amount of room inside. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It gets great gas mileage and its controls are easy to use.

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  handles nice - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By coleman - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased a month ago and pleased with the overall ride and handling of the XL 7. Needed a larger SUV with more features. Would recommend.

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  XL-7 Great Little Truck - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Dep02 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with this truck. It has performed flawlessly.it has REAL 4wd. Great in snow. 19mpg. The only defect I encountered was that the timing chain cover was installed with prc instead of a gasket. It seeps a little oil. I was called at home by the dealer as a courtesy and informed of the problem. It is covered by the warranty.

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  Veronaowner - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Veronaowner - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I like it that Chrysler dealers are used for the warranty as I also own a Chrysler. I am very pleased with the Verona EX. A lot of vehicle and options for the money. Love it. Although I rated the reliability a 10, I do not have enough vehicle history information to give this subject a true/fair evaluation

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  2001 XL-7 Review - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By JENNIFER - March 25 - 6:56 am

  The Suzuki XL-7 is visually cute on the outside. However, the interior is small and compact in all roows of seating. The dash organization is poorly done. The radio is on the bottom of the dash and hard to reach and see, which I think makes it a danger to change stations when driving. As far as the driving of the vechicle, its okay on a perfect day with NO wind. With even the slightest wind, its nearly impossible to handle, for male and especially female adults. Weve even been told we look like drunk drivers and believe me its the car, not our skills.

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  Dont buy this car! - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Cris - March 24 - 9:03 am

  The Suzuki Reno is totally unreliable. After I had the car for just five days, I began to have problems starting my 2006 Reno every morning. After two and a half weeks with the car in the shop, I was put in a 2007 Reno, which developed “hard start” issues, again in five days. In both cars, the “passenger airbag off” light stayed illuminated regardless of my having a passenger. The dealer put me back in the original Reno, claiming it’s been fixed, which I do not trust yet. Suzuki never returns my phone calls. Their customer service is non-existent. If I could get them to void my contract, I would and I would never again buy a Suzuki or recommend one to anyone, even my worst enemy. Don’t even consider this car!

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  Great looking car for the money - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By chad - March 23 - 10:00 pm

  Nice comfortable ride, okay acceleration, great exterior and interior styling, cant beat the 17,500 msrp for all the options you get.

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  I like it! - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ron Cole - March 23 - 7:10 am

  Where else could I find a vehicle with automatic temperature control, a great stereo, and a TRUE 4wd for under $19,000? Rebates helped lower the cost a lot. It is fun to drive. I can zip wherever I want to go. It has great all around visibility. I couldnt see out the back of most of the other SUVs I test drove. This is something to think about if you have small children or grandchildren! The "editors" of car review magazines say its not as good as other vehicles. But they dont tell you its a heck of a lot cheaper, too! If they didnt get to use free cars and had to make payments, theyd consider this a good, inexpensive SUV that delivers fun to its drivers.