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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  My Suz - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By jlukas - November 16 - 10:00 am

  As an engineer, there is only a minimal changes I would do for the interior; add LED lights to all instruments (heat control) and add 1 to 2 inch width to the front seating

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  Suzuki XL-7 - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By jose - November 16 - 1:23 am

  I have enjoy owning my Suzuki XL-7. I have not had any problems with it plus it gives me good gas mileage. I am considering purchasing a new 2006 model.

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  Very Bad Paint - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Jessie0405 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had trouble with the paint job in the first year and again now. Paint chipped in places that would not normally be touched by hands, rocks or anything else for that matter. On the trunk edges, by the driverside back window. Large chips that rusted. Many tiny rust spots. Big ones were fixed at the local dealership. Told it could be the pearlized paint as it is softer than normal. Having the same problems again. Chips in the paint that are rusting, tiny pinholes all over that are rusted. Took it back to dealer, they advised me that was normal wear and tear. It is not!!! They just want me to buy a new car. Left dealership very unhappy!

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  Alot of car for the money! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By forenza in NC - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Well just got this new forenza this past thursday....and Im loving it. Its alot of car for the money, love the 8 speaker system and the radio controls on the steering wheel. Its a nice riding car! Im enjoying driving it alot!

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  wow.......what a car - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By chaser1972 - November 12 - 8:06 am

  here we go......this is the same car as in the review above. Now, it has 140000 miles on it(I commute 100 miles toand from work each day). I cannot say enough about this car. In 130k miles, here are my repairs: 4 front brake jobs (including the de-laminated brake pad), replaced front rotors once, 2 sets of tires, I had a stalling problem at around 105k that was the ONLY repair that was not wear-and-tear related. It was a throttle control valve or something. I am on my ORIGINAL rear brakes. It has only not started for me once, so I changed the plugs.this was at 120k. New plugs also cleared the check engine light. I really beat this car. Simply, the best car I have EVER owned.

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  Beware! DONT Buy this Car. - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By urbest_buddy - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle was a huge waste of money! The vehicle hydroplanes on damp to wet pavement, practically blows off the road on windy days, and is terrible on gas mileage compared to other mini- SUVs. Clearly not worth the money and time spent on it. Will be traded in and taking a $5000 dollar loss due to the vehicle not holding any kind of value - no dealership will give a reasonable amount of value on trade in and was told it was a bad choice of car and it would never hold any kind of value. If you have children, consider that the safety-level of the Grand Vitara is of the lowest grade, and second guess buying as a family vehicle. Beware!

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  Lucky Lady - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Kim - November 8 - 9:53 am

  I named my Aerio "Lucky Lady." Its been months and Im still crazy about driving it. Im a regional store manager, and drive little winding mountain roads every day. I upgraded the factory tires with Yokohama TRZ and have had no problem getting to my distant store in snow or ice. I never miss work! My passengers are always amazed by the comfort and roominess of the interior. My boss loves my trunk space. He is always loading me down with cases of drinks. Anyone ever heard of Old Fort Mountain in NC? My Lucky Lady loaded with drinks, can do 60+ over it and I pass everyone. Its great gas mileage is a bonus in times like this.

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  Suzuki does not stand behind their warranty - 2011 Suzuki SX4
  By serine459 - November 7 - 2:53 pm

  I bought a 2011 Suzuki Sx4 new in 2012 I kept noticing a sweet chemical smell whenever the air conditioner or defrost was being used. I contacted my Suzuki dealer and they said they had dealt with this problem with other Suzukis and thought it was related to the vapor coming back into the vent so they ran the hose to a different area and said it should be fixed. The next time I drove the car and used the air conditioner the antifreeze smell was there again. I contacted Suzuki and they said that they had done all they could and sent me to Arbitration. Suzuki told Arbitration that the car was working as designed and they said there was nothing more that they would do for me .

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  My newest purchase - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ashley - November 1 - 3:36 am

  My husband and I purchased a 2004 Aerio SX Wagon Standard on May 1, 2006 to replace my Ford Ranger XLT, which I was putting 45 dollars in gas a week into. I havent measured the gas mileage, all I know is now Im only paying 25 dollars a week in gas, as opposed to the 45, which is great. I do a lot of interstate driving to and from work, and this car has so much more oomph than my Ranger did. Its very roomy for being a smaller car, and the storage is great. I love the storage in the trunk.

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  Love My Sucuki - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By charles simpkins - October 31 - 2:03 pm

  Since my wife and I purchased our Aerio we have fallen in love with it. We have owed Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas and now our Suzuki. It has been the best car that we have ever owned in terms of reliability and performance.