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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  Best Value - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By paul H - June 23 - 10:00 am

  If you are going off road or on the beach, this is truly best bang for the buck.

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  good suv @ good price - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By gbtny - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I have 60,000 mile on my XL7 without any trouble. Handles as well now as when it was brand new. Fun to drive and was good in the snow this past winter.

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  Im Gonna Be (5000 Miles) a Proclaimer - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Mark - June 22 - 6:50 am

  After 5000 miles of service, I am ready to extol the virtues of the SX4 and thereby boast of my own savvy for selecting remarkable automotive value. The SX4 is decently bigger than it photographs; though 4in narrower and 3ft shorter, it comes surprisingly close to having the same passenger and cargo volume of the Mercury Sable that it displaced for this family of five! The 11 gal gas tank reads "empty" after using just nine, accelerating up a hill from a dead stop takes patience, and iAWD with ESP is the new black.

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  Happy Anniversary, Suzi - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By RAYT721 - June 14 - 6:40 pm

  Our first year anniversary with the car just passed on Feb 5th. Im upset that we missed the tax credit by 12 days or so but got a great price on the car ... around $12,000 new with only 8 miles on it. I cant say about the airbag issue that others mentioned but would be a concern. The gas mileage is fine for my family ... 10K average yearly miles, around 20 mpg. I mostly drive city. I would recommend the car to others. The car came loaded with air, CD, defroster, cruise, etc. We got a 6% interest rate through credit union because the purchase price had built in equity. Former car was a Hyundai Accent. I liked that one too. For me a car is transportation, not for status.

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  My New Car - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By SuzukiKidA5 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my suzuki. I am a past suzuki owner and have been impresseg with their line-up right from the days of the sj410 (samurai). The only drawback I see to the Aerio is the lack of aftermarket performane enhancements like an exhaust kit . K and N makes a typhoon kit for the car and it makes a bit of difference in the performance and a substantial difference in fuel economy. As I am a tall man, 63", I really appreciate the headroom in the front and back seat!!

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  Small SUV, with a great engine - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rob - June 11 - 9:50 am

  A great engine, I like this suv, that´s all, it has a great price, and grat value.

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  Love...no...Like It - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Bored Honda Honey - June 10 - 8:43 am

  I just purchased this car a few days ago and I read the reviews that were writen here before I purchased. (Thank you all). My 2002 Civic was totaled and the best part is it was paid for. This car is cheap but some of the features make it not as boring as the Civic. They are both noisy but this car is more fun to drive. I have not had the starting problem reported in other reviews. It may have been worked out by the previous owner. I am not in love with it, but I like it. I drove to an event and when my friend go in she immediately commented on the increase in comfort/space over the Civic. Great choice for a first car for your teen.

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  Outstanding Value - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By semifamous1 - June 7 - 12:10 pm

  I can not believe how much car and extras were delivered for the price that I paid for this vehicle. I expect that it will go up in price just due to how well it has performed compared to other vehicles in its class that cost much higher. I have been very pleased so far!

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  Extremely Well Thought Out - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By Charley Reno - June 4 - 11:13 am

  The Suzuki Reno is a superb value. Up and coming Suzuki delivers with just the right formula. It has unique and attractive styling, in and out. It also has lots of standard features, pretty darn good stereo CD with four 2-way speakers and four 1" tweeters (all 8 are door-mounted). I like its smooth acceleration and seamless shifting. It has nice 15" tires with full wheel covers. I also like the 8-way driver seat plus 3-position lumbar support. Its no hot rod, but for less than $14,000 theres a DOHC 2.0 liter 4-cylinder GM-designed engine that is more than adequate (made in Australia). Obviously, the gas mileage will not be 33/38 like the tin cans out there get, but 22/30 aint bad. Plus, youre getting a lot more car for almost the same price. Definitely check this one out.

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  aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By patrico cobalt - June 1 - 10:00 am

  this carc has a great stereo system and a powerful engine. its a very lovable xcar and is loaded with features. it is very smooth riding and is a joy to just be in. i love it.