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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  2003 XL-7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Brownybros - December 5 - 2:00 am

  It feels very strong and mobile. It takes turns very well and the drive seat is comfortable and roomy.

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  Great Car - Still Lovin It - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By LostInAustin - December 4 - 11:10 pm

  I recently bought my GV and I love it. Lot of car for the money. Everything I wanted in a car, leather, sunroof, heated seats, mp3, alloy wheels, good looking. I came across it on online and took for test drive. Needless to say I liked what I saw. Gas mileage coud be better. Factory speakers fall short but who keeps factory? Like the AWD. Comfortable seats. Needs locking gas door and lighted visor mirrors. Every time I go to my car I love the look of it. I would never have thought Suzuki for a car but Im extremely glad I stumbled upon it on the dealer website. All around great car for the money.

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  OK BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By MONSTER - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I WAS ACTUALLY DISAPPOINTED AND SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE MITSUBISHI LANCER

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  Very good SUV!! Really happy with it! - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Dec - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Well I took the time and tested well known SUV like Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and others no so popular brands like Kia. Except the Isuzu(rodeo), all of them gave me a nice impression. After 2 months of testing My wife and I pick the Suzuki. It was the best value for the money; I like the ride, the power and the build quality. Really nice sound system also. The only reason why this car is cheaper than others is because of the name, Suzuki is not so popular. This car has better performance and offer more standard features for $10000 dollars less than the others. You canÂ’t go wrong with this car!

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  40 000 km review (best car ever owned) - 2012 Suzuki Kizashi
  By bigjohn23 - November 27 - 4:21 am

  The Suzuki Kizashi is a very good looking car inside and out. I then started to look at the specs and wow...it had a lot of features (especially for the price and the iAWD system). Not even a single problem so far. The only complaints is the wipers are not the best and the gas mileage could be better, but I mean it is a heavy car that does not get stuck in any snow/ice. It has a wonderful Rockford Fosgate audio system and you can put it front-wheel drive or intelligent all-wheel drive whenever you want with a button. I had 2 Audi A4 Quattro in the past and the Kizashi handles even better. It is basically an A4 (same features, same look), but a lot cheaper and more RELIABLE. You wont regret!

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  Tires and brakes - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By sandy93 - November 20 - 9:00 pm

  I bought this car new and had nothing but problems, The brake pads had to be replaced every three months, Tires only lasted about 9 000 miles and it has been nothing but a money pit. When I called Suzuki they just blew me off. I would not recommend this car to anyone. What a joke.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By woodinhills - November 20 - 3:42 pm

  Bought new in Denver, in 3/2006. Is turning 100,000 tomorrow, so heres a review: Very fun to drive, "tight" feel, firm but not overly so suspension, decent ground clearance. TRUE 4x4, with Low Range- EXC! I lived @ 8,600 elevation for 7 years, and this little beast will climb thru 3 of powder snow with mud and snow tires. Decent sound system with subwoofer, CLIMATE CONTROL is really terrific! Comfy seats, but the drivers is coming apart a bit.

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  Nice Little Car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By robarr - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I love my Aerio. Although it has had a few problems that the dealership could not fix. So now Im stuck with a car that hummmms when I step on the gas and when I come to an idle a rattling sound comes from the front of the car. Very disappointed with the dealerships mechanics and i now have to take the car which is still under warranty to my mechanic and pay out of my pocket. Thanks for nothing Suzuki Techs!

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  Soo well rounded... - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Eddian! - November 17 - 8:53 pm

  Its so hard to classify this car, to match it with the "competition". Maybe its because its on its own territory. Its a well rounded car - excellent value, outstandingly-well equipped, smart match of performance vs fuel economy that produces a car that exceeds and outperforms the others in everything except the price. Note: its not as fuel-economic as a Toyota Corolla but delivers more power and sporty-feeling, without being as pricy as a Mazda3. The most oustanding features is are the great ride quality and handling and Suzukis 100k/7ys fully-transferable warranty.

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  Not Enough Horsepower - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Johnny Vero - November 17 - 4:50 pm

  I own an 05 XL-7. I like everything about the truck except, the gas millage is not good, considering that its a V6 with under 200 HP. It only gets 17 mpg city and 21 hwy. Also, it should come standard with a luggage rack, but does not. Other than that, its a good truck for the money.