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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  8 years and 38K miles later - XL-7 still runs great! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By ihot - September 17 - 7:23 am

  Its June 2012, 8 years and 38K miles after we purchased our XL-7, and it still runs great! It handles well and rides fairly comfortably, although the gas mileage could be better. Blind spots where the backseat headrests and the spare tire cover are can cause problems at times.

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  Great car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Ray - September 15 - 6:26 pm

  My parents bought this car two days ago and wow. Im an automatic man and the manual trans. is very easy to get use to. This car is awsome to drive ive already street raced a dude in a supped up Accord and beat him. The handling could be a bit better and the stopping distance but it is still great. The fuel gage stayed 1/8 past full, but after 70 miles it dropped dramatically. its now has 86 miles and there 7/8 of a tank left which is great. i love this car great trunk room and plenty of cabin space. im 61 195 and i have plenty of room. For 11,000 you cant go wrong.

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  I love this car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Adam H - September 15 - 4:20 am

  We were shopping for a fuel efficient car that had good safty ratings, warraty and an affordable price. We bought the all wheel drive automatic version of the Aerio. It drives great. Its not as peppy as the 03 Mustang we traded in but its a lot of fun to drive. The best feature of this car is the roominess inside. Its very deceiving!

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  Bad in snow - should be 4 wheel standard - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tale - September 15 - 3:03 am

  Nice car internally and externally. Bad in snow and rain.

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  Bye-bye Benz - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By tsloan - September 13 - 3:43 pm

  I traded my 2005 C-class 4matic mercedes for touring model of the sx4 crossover. I was wanting a smaller car with awd for the colorado winters. Ive only had the car a few days. So far so good. It is sporty getting around town, but it really has to work hard to get up the foothills of the Rocky Mts. SX$ has the same fuel economy as the benz. I seriously considered the Honda Fit, but the Fit had a rough ride on even smooth roads and had horrible road noise even at low speeds. The SX4 has a surprisingly smooth ride and minimal road noise. It is a little more exotic than the hondas and toyotas- --at least around Denver. The view from inside the car gives impression of a bigger car

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  its like driving a bob sled... - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By ricco - September 11 - 10:00 am

  since new it has been wandering all over the road, has had 9 front end alignments will not hold them for more than a week.needed struts,front brakes,fuel tank,computor went bad,four wheel drive stopped working,tires need replaced at 9000 miles.other than that no other problems to speak of...

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  The Good And The Bad - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Robert - September 11 - 12:46 am

  Overall I am satisied with the vehicle. It has a rigid body, well constructed and free of rattles or excessive road noise. The engine is strong, transmission shifting smooth, it should be better on gas though. It responds well to throttle and has good braking. The S mode provides many good standard options included in base price. By far the biggest mistake is in not providing cruise control as part of the standard options. The dealer is unable to install a cruise control as Suzuki does not offer one as a dealer option. No other cruise control is offered by any other vendors. Now I am stuck with no hopes of ever getting a cruise control installed.

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  manual transmission - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By Ellen - September 8 - 12:50 am

  I am not happy at all with the transmission in this car. I am already repairing the clutch. the transmission has too much play and is very finicky with RPM to get a shift at the right time for "economy" I have always driven stick shifts. I have 48,000 on the car right now, as I commute a good distance to work. Would not be my choice again. I miss my KIA !!!!

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  Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By DUDE - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY DO ENJOY MY 03 SX ITS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AROUND. LOTS OF EXTRAS FOR THE PRICE, TOO. I HIGHLY RECAMEND FOR ANYONE WHO DOSNT WANT TO SPEND ALOT OF MONEY AND WANTS A PROFORMENCE ECONOMY CAR THIS IS IT. ITS POWER TO WIEGHT RATIO IS NOT TO BAD 145HP TO 2600LB COMPARE TO OTHER VEHICLES IN AND OUT OF ITS CLASS. BUT MORE HP IS ALWAYS O.K.

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  Great SUV - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Willy - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for a year and I never had a problem. It accelerate quickly. The Grand Vitara will outspeed the Honda CRV, KIA Sportage, Toyota Rav4, and the Geo Tracker. This car is a great deal for the low price. It also a smooth ride. The engine is not loud when driving at high speed.