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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  Beware! Lots of mechanical defects - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By jay - December 3 - 12:10 am

  A year of ownership this car has major problems. Its been in the shop every month since then with repair bills ranging from $250-600 a shot. This car has had 2 engines, a transmission, suspension, wheel bearings, countless computer reprogrammings ($60 each), axle comes loose about every 6 months (makes a grinding/thumping noise upon acceleration); thats just in the time ive owned it. Its past its 36k warranty so the only thing that has been covered is the engine and tranny. I baby this thing as i have done with all my cars. Now not out of love but out of fear of it breaking! My thoughts: Dont ever buy this car! If you have one I suggest dumping it fast! Take the equity hit its cheaper

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  Still a Daewoo - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Gerry Lucas - November 10 - 8:23 am

  Its a nice looking car, that rides nice. But thats about it! I has no power. And the transmission shifts too soon. Then down shifts abruptly possibily causing loss of control. The car has been back twice for a new computor and its better, but still not right. Its still a Daewoo by a different name.

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  You wont pass any gas stations - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steve - November 10 - 5:53 am

  Purchased 2005 Forenza LX wagon with 4 speed AT & 4 wheel abs. Like the style size and features with the vehicle. Like the small engine , I have a new driver in the crew and figured the meek acceleration would be a plus. The car is embarrassing for a 2005 model year vehicle , gas mileage in the city is 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. If you live in a rural area may be an excellent purchase for those of us in city driving the gas mileage makes this vehicle a mistake to buy. First foreign car purchase and it looks to be very disappointing.

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  Disappointed in PA - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Gecko - September 23 - 5:53 am

  Okay, I did my research and it all sounded good. Well 6months after purchasing new, the cluster{?}(all gauges) goes out.Dealers supposed to supply rental, has none and suggests I drive it for a week until part comes in...basically suggesting I drive without a speedometer. Ya, right, is the dealer going to pay the ticket if I get one?? Thank heaven for warranties. Then a year later, I have to replace the tires...I hear common irregular wear problem. Now at 2yrs irregular wear again?? Horrible on Ice or slippery roads, the second I apply any pressure to break, abs kicks in and you will go sliding, even on roads with heavy gravel...steering wheel shakes at 70mph..hoping to get rid of it soon

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  Honest review after 16 monthsof use. - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Al Davis - September 10 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for comfortable four wheel drive, with good fuel economy. This vehicle is not the one! Also the third row seating is a joke. Any child under fifty pounds is ok. Any larger they will have no leg room. This is a well built vehicle just not practicle for seven people.

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  Junk door handles - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By John - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Three of the four interior door handles broke off, but since the chinzy warranty of 3yrs, 36K miles expired they were not covered, so I crazy glued them all back together. Also, paint is peeling off the exterior door handles, and I baby this car, dont drive in snow or ice, and wash and wax often. Its impossible to service the antifreeze, transmission, and drive belts yourself. The car drives ok, but doesnt get as good gas mileage as my 1970 dodge dart, which got close to 30mpg on highway, this one gets 26, and I tune it and maintain it myself.

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  DONT LOVE MY SUZUKI !!! - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By tpiantedosi - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY SUZUKI FOR THE SAME REASON AS MOST - IT COST LESS THE THE OTHERS. I HAVE FOUND THOUGH YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS W/ MINE. THE DOOR LOCKS WHERE FALLING OUT, (THE SCREWS WHERE NOT SECURED), I HAD A TRANSMISSON OIL LEAK (THEY DID REPAIR IT ) THERE IS NO GAS LIGHT (I RAN OUT OF GAS 4 TIMES). i HAD OWNED A TOYOTA RAV 4 BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS & I LOVE IT. I DRIVE A STANDARD SIFT, AND THIS ONE IS SO MUCH HARDER TO DRIVE. THE TIRES ARE SHOT AFTER 20,000 MILES, THERE IS NO HAPPY MEDIUM WITH THE HEAT - EITHER YOUR FACE IS ON FIRE OR YOUR FREEZING AND YOUR FEET NEVER GET WARM EVEN WHEN IT ON FEET ONLY.

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  No long-term reliability - 2001 Suzuki Vitara
  By SATX - July 30 - 3:23 pm

  My Suzuki was great for the first few years, but once my extended warranty ran out, it started falling apart between 80k~91k. First went the auto-entry device, then the A/C, then some electrical problems started flaring up where my headlights and interior lights pulse at night, then an automated window went out, then the interior dome light shorted, and the final two kickers--it was not starting up, then finally it started dying on the road randomly and shaking and needing a time-out before I can restart it. The worst part is, either we have terrible mechanics in Texas or this is a hard car to work on, because no one can figure it out! A car should not be rendered worthless at 91k!

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  lemon - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Rick HENDERSON - July 25 - 10:00 am

  We bought a new Foreza in Dec. of 03 it was taken back for minor issues at 1000 miles. So we thought. It was taken back at 1500, 2800, 3000, 3450 and finally 3500 miles. All for excessive smoke out of the tailpipe. The car has been in the shop since June 1st of 04 with the engine taken apart. We where told there was a problem with the cylinders or pistons. They where not sure and Suzuki inc. didnt know what to do about it. Well over 2 months later it is still in the shop with the engine torn apart. I have filled on the lemon law. I could not get suzuki to call me or give me an answer on when it may be fixed. It seems that it should not take 2 months to repl

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  What a difference a year makes - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Dean - July 24 - 12:46 am

  I have the 2006 wagon. Im 6ft 1, 300lbs, and very comfortable in this car. The exterior styling is reminiscent of a smaller version of the dodge magnum, and the 7yr-100000 warranty speaks for itself. Its interior is styled nicely, and you get accessories for thousands less than similar vehicles in this category. fuel econmy is superb so far, and it holds the road like a glove. Its not a pavement burner, but it gets out of its own way when it needs too. safety features abound, hidden storage everywhere, and plent of room for rear passengers. An excellent car as is the whole 2006 line. Catch one if you can....