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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  So Good that I bought Two! - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Winko - August 7 - 10:00 am

  The price got me interested but the performance has made me a believer. We were so impressed that we bought two of them. The AWD is great we live in Northern Michigan - lots of snow and ice. They handled as well as our previous Subaru! Less ground clearance but I didnt get stuck once! How about room? Im 66" but plenty of leg and especially headroom. OK - the interior isnt fancy but functional and solid. Great pep in the small engine - it doesnt hesitate to move you down the road. With the extras like a 6 CD player and a very nice sound system - solid heater and AC - this is a great car for the money. Im getting 29 mpg on the daily commute.

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  HOTTTT!!!!!!! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By ofp01 - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Its the best car out there for the price and its HOT.

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  Ive had no problems... - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By liljohn32 - August 6 - 3:37 pm

  Im sorry to the people that have had bad luck with this car, but I cant say the same thing. My wife and I bought our car in 2007 and it has about 95000 miles on it now. We have had to replace the tires twice and two of the indoor door handles broke off, but that wasnt the cars fault, that was stupid peoples faults. We just had to put it in the shop and have to have a sensor replaced on the transmission, but besides that, it hasnt given us any problems.

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  Little Car, Many Annoyances - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Handy Dude - August 2 - 2:00 am

  The car is fun to drive especially around the city. Being small it isnt comfortable on long trips. The interior storage is well thought out. It has never stranded me fortunately, but I dont trust the car much. Its annoying and costly to own. It goes through tires every 20,000 miles max, even with alignments and rotation; the rear alignment lacks a key adjustment; brake rotators warp easily and brakes need replacing often; fuel economy of a big V8, and the AC belt tensioner is hard to replace and doesnt last long before it gets really noisy. The interior clock light goes off when the headlights are turned on and there other annoyances. The black velor door panels are hard to keep clean.

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  Dont purchase - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By dwebb28 - August 1 - 6:36 pm

  Transmission knocks when it is put in drive (just not when at the dealership), inside door handles break off, my valve cover gasket was leaking, my hood keeps popping open when driving, I keep going through tires after numerous alignments and rotations, and during an oil change when the vehicle was coming down off the lift the struts magically failed. Not a very impressive car. I do not recommend buying this car. Biggest mistake that I have made, should have spent a little more money on a Honda

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  Best Little Car Around - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By miliboi84 - July 31 - 6:46 pm

  Great Car, it gives you everything you need with only a few drawbacks. Besides the cheap interior plastics, it is great. Room in the front and back seats are good, storage is great, performance is good, and finally it is fun to drive.

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  Excellent value - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Jonas - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I am very impressed thusfar with my vehicle. I previously owned a Toyota 4Runner and am quite happy with the Suzuki. The extra seat is wonderful for a growing family. I would like it a little wider but can live with it. However, I would not buy from Empire Suzuki in Montclair, CA. I encountered several problems with their dealership and dealing with these problems via their purported customer service was a most unpleasant and caustic experience. Fortunately, the vehicle makes up for it.

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  Dissappointed overall - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By tonyw - July 28 - 7:16 pm

  Have 48,600 miles on this vehicle. Regret buying it to replace a Mits. Montero LX. Really poor mpg, underpowered. Handles well after replace OEM Yokohama tires, which lasted only 20,000mi. Have had to replace the drivers seat cover because of poor fabric quality. Second will not last, either. Very cheap upholstery and even cheaper carpet (have covered with rubber mats). Brakes are spongy (common complaint) low-beam headlights have shadows and point at the pavement (cant be adjusted). Have an intermittent engine miss or transmission slip dealer cant find. Have ping in a u-joint that dealer replaced a faulty rear hub instead. Overall, this is not worth the money and has not held value.

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  love it ! - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mike Lapietra - July 28 - 2:53 am

  I bought this car in the dead of the Canadian winter and had to commute many days through snow, ice and slush. With the ABS, AWD and heated mirrors this is a great car if you live in Canada. It is a lot of fun to drive and it is loaded. It looks small, but there is lots of space inside for the passengers and when you fold the back seat you really have a good station wagon. Also, the drivers seat can be pumped up very high, so you will have great visibility. So far I am really happy with it and the Suzuki dealership I bought it from offers outstanding customer service.

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  Great Car for a Low Price - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Wunderly - July 25 - 11:03 pm

  I bout this car used at 4600 miles for about 6 grand at an auto auction. I have had this car for almost a year and I have have no problems with it so far, engine is easy to maintain. one issue is that the dashboard can glare on to the windshield, but other then that small detail the car is a good one to own for high school and college age kids.