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:

• 

  Small car - a lot of leg room - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Tamara Lewis - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I had a Volkswagen bug and had just had a baby so I was on a hunt for something a little bigger. I wanted a jetta or a smaller suv. The forenza really caught my eye because it looked similar to the jetta. We put my daughters car seat in the back of a couple of small suvs like a rav-4 and when I sat in the passenger seat my knees touched the dash and I am only 52. When we put her carseat in the forenza we were amazed at how much leg room I had. My husband is 61 and he also had a lot of leg room when sitting in the passenger seat. After checking out the inside, cheap insurance, great ratings and the price - we were sold!

• 

  Love my Zuki - 2003 Suzuki Vitara
  By Laura - September 11 - 5:50 pm

  My Suzuki Vitara has been wonderful. It handles easily, is truly economical to drive, and doesnt embarrass the kids. Too bad Suzuki discontinued the model, or Id be trading it in for a newer one. It also has a pretty decent sound system in it, which I found to be a plus as soon as I started taking longer road trips. It even has nice safety features.

• 

  Great little car - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By Dan - September 9 - 9:30 pm

  These little cars are great. We bought this for an in town beater and have become fond of the little car. I average 40 mpg with an automatic. The car is peppy and tight. It will fit almost anywhere. Mine has 130K miles on it and runs like a new one. No, its not a cruiser but when you think logically... a $15K hybrid barely gets 30 MPG. You can find these little cars for 1,500 to 2,500. They are excellent and cheap little cars. Dont let the low book value fool you.. you cant buy these cheap. They are good cars and people know it. If you want cheap and fun with little operating costs... this is the car. Very practical and well built.

• 

  Good Car For The Money - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By rickb - September 5 - 5:23 pm

  Like the both interior and exterior style. Overall built well. Handles nicely. Being from the old school, keyless entry and drive is a waste. Too many settings for both windshield wipers and lights. Door locks drive me nuts. Up here in the mountains of NC it could use some extra hp and torque. The performance is much better in FL on flat land. We have taken this car on several trips and I have little complaint other than the mileage. The poor hwy mpg really is an issue for a small engine of this size. Gets close to the same hwy miles as my 95 Explorer 4.0 V6. Good car for the money. Stylish and nice to drive.

• 

  Price DOES matter! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By jzarli - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Read Edmunds Compact Wagon Comparison test. Dont most of us establish a budget as the first rule of auto buying? Wouldnt you pick a Ford Escape, bigger & better over a Matrix, as they are similar in price? For 2003 the Aerio has a bit more HP & Torque. It did pretty well in the comparison, but the 2003 would likely finish #1. Note the 2003 now has the 6CD changer/radio standard. Who likes the fake metal interior trim of a Matrix??

• 

  New to Suzuki Cars - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By GVXR - August 30 - 8:13 pm

  After looking at and driving every small SUV, were set on a Jeep Liberty. On the way to purchase we saw the Grand Vitara and stopped. Took a test drive and purchased. It drives nice, looks great and offers many features for the money. With no prior experience with Suzuki cars, although I currently own 4 Suzuki motorcycles, it was the warranty that made the decision to purchase easy!

• 

  great deal and unique car...best in show - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By theloneabalone - August 30 - 10:00 am

  bought my yellow aerio sx, ABS and auto but no AWD. Dealer was very helpful and not sleazy. got the car for 13550 inc. destination fee. roomy, unique, fast, quiet,fast,versatile,fast,fun to drive, fast. originaly intended to replace my 88 tercel, my wife now borrows it everytime she can. no neighbors with torches threatening to burn my "ugly" car like car &driver warned me. bahhumbug!!! everyone that looks at the car loves it!!

• 

  Good car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By katie - August 24 - 12:23 am

  I like my little Suzuki Aerio. I get 30 mpg on Florida highways where we drive 75 mph. I like the way it handles. Its got excellent pick up for a 4 cylinder. The radio controls on the steering wheel are very handy. I also like the a/c and heat controls. For a small car, the seats are quite comfortable.

• 

  This car takes the cake! - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By justcind - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I just could not buy anything else after driving this car. I saw it, drove it, and could not get it out of my mind. I test drove the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2011 Subaru Legacy, 2010 Chevy Malibu, 2010 Ford Fusion, and the Kizashi beat them all. The layout of the controls on the steering wheel is perfect. Everything is in the right spot and on the correct side. I have been averaging 25-29 MPG while using AC. The doors close solid, it is smooth and quiet on the highway, and the interior quality is the best. It turns on a nickel ( a dime is really too small). I only have 1006 miles on my Kizashi but nothing compares. I am so glad I picked this car. I like it more every time I drive it.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Lori - August 23 - 1:30 am

  I just bough the Forenza S, and I love it. I traded a Daewoo Lanos for it, and it is a huge improvement. I love the way that it handles, the room, comfortable seats, and the whole interrior design. The trunk space is great too. If you are looking for a car with basic style plus a little more with a great warranty, I would strongly recomend this little family car.