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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  Transmission problems - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By erica - June 24 - 8:26 am

  For the most part the car has been OK. I recently had to replace the transmission in the car. I didnt know until I read the reviews that so many people had their transmission replaced. The tranmission was covered under warranty but the warranty does not cover rentals. My check engine light has been on the entire time that I had the car. The dealerships know that this car is a lemon and they will try not to fix anything on the car. They will keep telling you that there is nothing wrong on your car until it reaches 36,000 miles and then they will tell you everything wrong on it. So be careful and get someone else to look at it. I have lost the security code for the radio.

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  disappointed - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By francistoronto - June 18 - 10:00 am

  The car lacks power and very noisy when you step on the gas. Can barely hear the stereo sound working. After 1 month I bought it, windshield suddenly cracked without apparent reason. Susceptible to crosswinds.

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  48000 miles now - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By smithjon - June 4 - 9:55 am

  Ive only had to do regular maintenance items no unexpected surprises. The tires have been replaced and regular oil changes at 7000 miles. AT service at around 36000. 25.2 MPG over the 48000 miles.

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  What I love and hate - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Anna - May 30 - 3:26 am

  I LOVE the radio controls on the steering wheel. The look and feel of the car is great. I HATE that its so hard to change the head lights and they burn out often and are uneven at night. I HATE that when the back windows are rolled down half way, a horrible pressure chamber hits your ears and an awful noise fills the car. Im told this is because the roof is not heavy enough and if we put a rack on top, that wont happen? Oh, brother! Its Apr 2010 and just had a major electrical problem that cost $800 and wasnt covered by the warranty. The back door stopped shutting all the way, got that fixed. The brake light comes on intermittently now. Its hard to see out the small back window.

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  Can I Give It Back?? - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By Can I Give It Back?? - May 12 - 10:43 pm

  I have been less than impressed with this vehicle. I feel like I am driving a manual transmission because it jerks pretty severely when you step on the gas. I had to have my speakers replaced because they blew out - I dont blast my radio! My fuses blew out on my cigarette lighters and turn signals within a year. My engine light is on again, this time due to a bad transmission sensor! The gas mileage is horrible! I was in a pinch and needed a new car, but at this point, I would have been better off keeping my old one!

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  we got a lemon - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By lovebug - April 13 - 1:46 am

  Bought truck in April 2009. LOVING the truck until the cold weather hit and we started turning on the heat. Late November motor started overheating. They replaced the thermostat. Early December motor overheating again, and no heat in the vehicle. They replaced the thermostat again, but it was still overheating. They opened up the motor and the head was cracked! Theyve had our vehicle since Dec 14th, waiting for parts from Japan. Asside from the mechanical/electrical problems, my biggest complaint is about their customer service. Theyve never once contacted us to give us an update. Its always us calling them. We usually get voice-mai

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  worst car ever - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By scolvell - April 7 - 5:07 pm

  after owning the car for just over a year and a half I have already replaced MAP at $75, MAF at $90 (twice), head gasket under warranty, catalytic converter under warranty, ignition coils at $800+ (all 6), and a fuel pump under warranty all with only 54k on the car. I just brought it back in for a problem that I have been having with the car almost since day 1 with the cars idle dropping to about 400 and dieing or surging to 1200 and trying to ram the car in front of me at the stop light. The transmission shifts rough. With all this the dealer cant duplicate my problems stating that it drove fine for them. It has the power of a 4cyl with all the mpg of a v8

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  Need to dump this car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By jessinral84 - April 5 - 2:01 pm

  I have a 2006 Suzuki Forenza Sedan. Where do I even begin? The check engine light comes on constantly; it has comes on at three times in the past year for me. Each time, I spend $300 getting it "fixed" only to have it come on again soon after. The paint on the door handles chips. This car SUCKS during long trips..and by long, I mean trips over an hour. Its noisy, drives poorly and has difficulty accelerating. It also jerks every time I put it in reverse. The battery drains very easily, Ive spent $ getting that replaced. Gas mileage is terrible. Crappy car all around. Every day, I worry that this car will break down (because it has..a lot)

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  Its a decent car, but.... - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By bigjazzfan - February 22 - 6:57 am

  I bought a 2005 Suzuki Forenza with 116,000 miles. For what I need (a commuter car) it ran great. I realized it leaked quite a bit of oil, and the antifreeze was disappearing, and the airbag light was on of course. When speaking to a dealer he said hed never seen a 2005 Forenza NOT leak a considerable amount of oil. I had it for a few months, as long as I kept my eyes on the fluid levels, it was ok. I eventually traded for a different car. If youre looking for a car to rack up miles on, this is it. If youre looking for comfort or long-term reliability, look elsewhere.

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  Lil Blu Wagon - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By bluman - February 16 - 2:00 am

  A good basic car. Nothing flashy on the inside. Has a nice exterior.