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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  forenza wagon review - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By keith griffis - May 28 - 2:50 pm

  best buy wuth looks and mileage

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  Great value, not a great car - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Marker55 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Not for tall people Rear seats uncomfotable Best value for the dollar, but wtch the 23mpg on hwy

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  Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By candam - May 25 - 3:23 pm

  I bought this car from the dealer and it now has 62,323 miles on it now.It had a couple of problems that were fixed by the dealer. Great warranty. It rides nice on long trips and has enough power to make it a pleasure to drive. The interior if very nice especially the heated seats. I have not had any problems with the car and love it.

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  buy a better car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By 2006 forenza - May 25 - 1:43 am

  Too many problems. First thing, door handles fell off, second, the power steering pump went out, third had four flat tires within a year, steering sensor stays on all the time, air bag sensor on all the time, now I need four new struts on a less than four year old car, it has no power it definitely is a lemon warranty doesnt cover anything and no help from the dealership run away fast

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  When You Need an Inexpensive Wagon - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Jennifer Whang - May 24 - 10:30 pm

  This is a great buy for people who want the utility of a small SUV for a small price. Dont overlook all of the little things that are included, you might find a similar vehicle from a Japanese maker, but you wont find this many standard features. Besides I think it looks great, and drives well for a commuter / shopping trip car.

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  Tough vehicle - 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Greg - May 24 - 3:56 pm

  We were involved in a rollover wreck on black-ice. This car held up really well, both my passenger and I walked away with no injuries! There were several other accidents that weekend, and I saw many SUVs on the back of wreckers (large and small). My Suzuki was the only SUV that the roof hadnt completely collapsed or caved in at the front. The front corners of the roof came down about an inch, the windshield and driver-side window broke but stayed intact. The rollover happened on pavement, after hitting the guardrail at about a 45 degree angle. We were traveling at 45-50 mph. I was so impressed by how this vehicle held-up, I bought another too replace it.

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  Better Gas Mileage? - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Suzuki1 - May 22 - 1:33 pm

  I bought the car in Oct. of 2006. I have had no major problems concerning this car. It fits me and my wife, who is 61" very comfortably, with our three children in the backseat. I am truly amazed at the buildmanship of this car. I rolled it off the highway in July of 07. The car only sustained undercarriage damage as well as minor body damage. It held up considerably well considering I flipped off a 40 ft embankment. I have to agree with the right type of octane. If you use 91, there is a considerable mpg increase. I still drive this car today, and it is just as reliable as when I bought it two years ago.

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  Cant believe I bought it - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By Nilka Alamo - May 22 - 2:00 am

  In the beginning I had virtually no problems but over the past few months it is one thing after another. The car isnt even a year old yet. It has been an inconvenience for me to have to take the car back and forth to the dealership. I just wish I would have never bought it.

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  A Good buy Even Better - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By SportDog - May 22 - 12:33 am

  The Reno has a lot more get up an go than I had expected. On my trip home from the dealer I had stopped for a traffic signal and pulled out when the light changed and was up to 35 mph when I realized I was still in 5th gear. I got 29 mpg on the trip home from the dealer. I decided to drive from home to the top of Whitetop mountain (1,600 ft to 3,100 ft altitude). It went up the mountain at 40 mph in 5th gear with no feeling of strain or handling problems on the 25 mph curves. When the pavement gave way to gravel and 4 inches of snow I down shifted to 4th gear and slowed down to 35 mpg and zipped past several 4 wheel drive vehicles sitting in the ditches. Mu 49 mpg on the trip was excellent.

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  Awesome Small Car - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By shintaro - May 21 - 12:26 am

  I had this car for almost 6 motnhs and never had a problem with it. I enjoy driving it and not bad on gas mileage, actually I bought the car to save gas even if I was looking for Chevy Cobalt. The dealer gave me this because the cobalt was a little bit expensive and I have another loan thats why they didnt gave me the Cobalt. Anyway, I didnt regret having this car. And it can fit up to 5 people including driver and you can park anywhere (easy to park) and as most everyones saying. I did expect to get more than 31+ miles per gallon but Im only getting 31 on highway and 24 city. And I compared the back seat to a Chevy Impala SS and the Reno was bigger. I like this car