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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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Glenn - July 7 - 8:43 pm

  The seats are as hard as a rock and uncomfortable. Very slow acceleration. Very sloppy steering with serious under-steer. I rented this car for a few days and was very unimpressed...but its a Suzuki, which is enough said. Id buy the low-end Accord or Camry before this vehicle. No side airbags. A knowledgeable car person wouldnt ever consider this car. I can only imagine the low resale value this car will have in a couple of years

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  Safe Car - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By TC - July 7 - 4:10 am

  I had a black metallic Forenza until someone ran a red light hitting me on the passenger side of my car causing me to become airborne and going under the wheel of an F 250. All that and I walked away without any injuries. Plus the driver airbag did not deploy and i am still having questions about that. After all that I am still going to buy another Suzuki because my Forenza never put me down.

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  A Fair Vehicle for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Jose Jimenez - July 5 - 7:16 pm

  My Suzuki Forenzas confort is aceptable, more roomy than it seems it would be from the outside. It has a huge trunk and looks very expensive. I like the body, the lines look like a Volvo from behind and a BMW from front. The front lights are beatiful and so are the rear lights. This car is very cvonfortable and does the job without spending a fortune. The safety features, such ABS, save a fortune on insurance. Behind the wheel, this car feels like a Porsche. The leather on the wheel and shifter are a nice touch. For commuters, this is a nice car.

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  I dont get it - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By aaron98762001 - July 5 - 1:22 pm

  Ive been reading reviews and not one was good. My reno will fly, i read one that said it had trouble keeping up in traffic. To be a 2.0 this car is fast, i believe very dependable. Ive had no trouble, its a little rough on gas. But alot better than my 6 cylinder.

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  Fun for tiny bucks - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By jlandshark - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have around 10,000 miles on the car now. It has been a fun car to drive with great gas milage. For going to and from work it can not be beat. Lots of interesting looks and questions from others on the street. Way cheaper and faster than the Protege5 and the Matrix.

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  Love my SUV - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By carrie - June 29 - 6:26 am

  I have had my XL-7 for 3 months and I still love it. When I was first shown one I had no knowledge of it. I drove it and liked it, but the dealership was asking too much. So I found another one online, LOVED the color, test drove it in the snow and I had to have it. I drive about 40 miles roundtrip to work each day and the gas isnt as bad as I had expected. It is very roomy inside and accommodates my 65" fiancee. I would definitly reccommend it to anyone.

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  So far, so good - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Dave Nicandri - June 29 - 5:40 am

  Ive had my "Sedici" for one week and so far, so good. I got 30.3 mpg on the first tank of gas, which included mostly freeway but a substantial amount of around town driving. I love the outward visibility and the leg and head room in the front seats. Rear leg room is adequate. This car is a lot of fun to drive and I think Im going to like it a lot, over time. The first big test will be after my first road trip with all the tailgate gear. I have the while colored model, which looks very crisp, to my eye. Ive gotten used to the keyless entry with ease and I like being able to paddle shift between 3rd and 4th gears. As a long-term FIAT owner, having this car is like a reunion.

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  Gas a Holic - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steve - June 28 - 2:43 am

  Purchased a Forenza LX Wagon , auto trans and all the bells and whistles. While I did realize the vehicle was no penny pincher in the fuel economy arena, I am disappointed in the fact I am averaging only 13 to 14 MPG in City driving. Automakers need to meet actual fuel economy estimates and not be allowed to sell vehicles that do not meet the advertised specifications. Hoping MPG will increase, and I wont be disappointed in my first foreign auto.

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  Nice mini 4x4 - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ammx - June 25 - 7:26 am

  I like this vehiche very much, powerfull and strong made desing

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  Mixed Breed - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By paul wernich - June 24 - 9:26 pm

  I had researched this car and found it interesting that it was sold by a Japanese company, built in Korea, designed by the Italians, and the parent company (GM) was American. In any case the car is solid, attractive, affordable, and loaded with features. I have the 5-speed manual and it drives and handles quite well. After nearly eight months Ive only had a few problems. The brakes had to be adjusted because the car was shaking when I went to stop, the passenger air-bag sensor was bad and the entire seat had to be replaced, the driver side seat fabric came loose at the bottom, and the steering wheel makes noise when I turn. Overall, I am very pleased with my Forenza.