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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  Very nice and affordable - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By ZUKI FAN - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very nice for the price.I havent experience any problems with it,although it was recalled twice. Mpg has been about 18, and maintenace routine.I love the interior and features.I have the five seater limited so, I really enjoy the flat load floor.

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  Import cars lover - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By vacharin - December 19 - 10:00 am

  The interior is wonderful with stylish looking outside, Features, quality that Suzuki offer beat camry,Accord and others in the same class

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  Acceptable: Speedometer dislike - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Debbie1 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  For the most part it is an acceptable vehicle. The speedometer is the only thing that I dislike about the Forenza.

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  Terrible Car - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By goodfrench229 - December 16 - 10:30 pm

  My 2006 Suzuki Verona is a terrible car. Its heater would not work. I had a broken temperature control cable. Its paint was bubbled up. All four doors and quarter panel had to be repainted. The speedometer needle fell off (no kidding,it fell completely off and was sitting in the bottom of the gauge housing). My car has been stalling during sharp acceleration. This is very dangerous, it would stall and almost die. As you can imagine, this is not much fun when pulling into traffic. The dealer could not do anything to repair this problem. It must be a characteristic of this car. It has done it since it was new. It is hard to start when it is cold outside. The dealer I bought the car from quit dealing with Suzuki. My new dealer is one and a half hours away and he told me if it was running they could do nothing.

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  Brand new owner - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By Moose - December 12 - 12:20 am

  Well, I have been hunting for a new vehicle & stumbled upon this new Suzuki Equator! Looks great, but Ill admit I hadnt done any research on it. Dealer said it was basically a Nissan Frontier, but looks better to me! I just bought mine last night & will come back here after I have some experience with it.

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  Alright - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By yooperkate - December 11 - 5:00 pm

  Pretty decent vehicle for the price! We have a sunroof and a few of the extras and its a good car. Pretty good fuel consumption compared to my old Ford Taurus and handles pretty well. Find a good deal on it and yeah, good! Good visibility on driving, only a couple blind spots. Have had only one real problem with the car - it didnt start once in P but put it in N in it started.

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  Good while it lasted. - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By jend26 - December 8 - 6:35 pm

  Well, bought used from a dealership, and was great at first. Had no problems until a couple months later the electical system started having problems. Radio clock wouldnt light up, and radio would turn off on me. Started idling really high, and the brakes and tires were having to be replaced often, sometimes once a month. I was buying used tires, then when I had the money bought new ones. But even with new ones, they kept leaking for some reason, so would have to put air in quite often. The rotors went bad very quickly also. Dont think the dealership did a good check but thats a gamble we all take when buying a vehicle. Think I payed way too much for it also. $12,000.

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  Reliable All-rounde SUV - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By Mike - December 7 - 12:50 pm

  The looks are a bit dated with the Vitara shape. The fuel tank is too small. It has good safety features and the 3rd row is a big bonus. I was never a big fan of the 2001 model. The 2003 shape, with the redesigned front and rear end looks great. The chrome side steps are an improvement over the plastic ones.

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  APEX - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Senior Chief - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car about 3 weeks ago and been driving the hell out of it ever since. Fun to drive!

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  SX4 w/con/package auto. - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Taiino59 - December 6 - 11:50 am

  I currently own a 2005 Toyota Camry, and I get better gas mileage in my Camry than my new SX4. No arm rest, no place to put items inside of the car. I was really disappointed with the gas mileage for such a small car. Limited positions setting on the drivers seat.