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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  Please dont buy a suzuki - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By need new car - August 12 - 10:00 am

  i bought my car about 2 years ago. it seemed ok at first until it started turning off out of nowhere. That is when all my problems began. i took it back over and over again only for them to look at me like Im stupid tell me they couldnt find anything and sent me home. now my check engine light stays on all the time, my air bags wont turn on and quite frankly this car is worse than the 92 buick lesabre that i got rid of to get this. my sister has an 07 forenza and we seem to have the same problems within months of each other. coincidence i think NOT!

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  LMT/CLT - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By neo - May 19 - 10:00 am

  To be nice to other buyers here is a few words, dont buy this car! It will break down on you over and over again! I Bought the extended protection plan and the dealership still cheated me after the transmission went out at 28,000 miles! I called Suzuki of America corp. and they told me I had to pay the dealership fee of 600 dollars to replace parts that were supposed to be covered through the warranty! Here is everything that has gone wrong since i bought this car brand new in 2007. Valve cover seal, cooling fan bolts fell out, continuous oil leak from the oil pressure sending unit, shocks and struts worn out, bent rims, intake induction system seal split before 3000 miles, cup holder.

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  Dont buy a grand vitara (WARNING) - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By theresaarn - March 8 - 12:13 am

  WARNING This car is a piece of junk, dont dare buy one. Anyone who tries to convince you to buy this junker is pulling your leg. I bought a brand new 2007 grand vitara and I must say it is the worst car EVER! I have only had it for a little of a year and the back tires are bald with only 20,000 miles on it. You feel like you are in a tin can that is bouncing around on the road. If you really want to find out how this car rides, get in the back seat and let someone else drive it. You will be so uncomfortable. The leather is the very cheap stuff and you can tell just by looking at it. When you have the heat or the air on you feel like you are in a wind tunnel ( no kidding).

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  Unhappy follow up to "Bye Bye Benz" - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By tsloan - February 1 - 11:03 pm

  Ive had the 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover for less than a month now. It is scheduled to go into the shop early next week because the airbag light has come on and will not go off. Browsing the internet blogs I have discovered that this is quite problematic for Suzuki and the SX4. Other owners have complained that Suzuki is not honoring its warranty and are not being cooperative. A courtesy car will most likely not be offered since the car is technically operable (just not sure how safe it is to drive? will the airbags deploy when I driving down the street? do the airbags work?) The fuel economy continues to be very poor. The drivers seat is causing back pain, and Im a healthy 38yo man.

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  DisSatisfied - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By dontbuyforenza - December 18 - 9:14 pm

  It makes me sick to my stomach to read all the reviews on the Suzuki Forenza. It is sad that there are so many problems and no recalls. I have a 2007 Forenza & have had multiple issues. Tires are always in need of balancing, the door handles paint is starting to chip off, oil changes once a month because the oil light comes on and the engine knocks really hard even though there is plenty of oil, now as of yesterday, while I was driving, the trasnmission hit hard and the check engine light came on. The gear indicator flashes with a square with a line through it. I also almost got into an accident. Pep Boys ran the codes and as of many many other Forenza drivers, 7000 & 7005 came up.

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  Run Away Fire waiting to happen - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Mike - December 1 - 12:16 pm

  This started out to be an OK car. I can see why they give this a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty. I had the engine replaced and on my third transmission. The other day while parked with a child in the car it was destroyed by a engine fire . We were lucky no one got hurt and when I went to Suzuki for help they told me too bad. I am telling you this car was a joke and they do not stand behind it if it catches on fire. They spent more on warranty work than what the car was worth. They should have negotiated with me after the engine and second transmission. Make sure you carry hazard insurance....

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  Cheap Car, but Not a Great Value - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Ann M - October 5 - 3:46 am

  This car looks quite nice from the outside. It also comes standard with air conditioning, a CD player, and heated mirrors. However I have had multiple starting problems with this car even though my Suzuki dealer claims this problem is limited to the 06 models. It also gets bad gas mileage when compared to other compact cars. I was driving a SUV so I did not notice it at first, but 21 mpg for a compact is bad. Also, the automatic transmission sucks too much power away from the already small inefficient engine. When I am going up a hill on the interstate I have to keep my foot on the floor and still lose speed. The engine is also quite noisy and does not like to go above 60 mph. Do not buy this car.

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  Same Problems As the 06 - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By Cris - March 28 - 9:43 am

  I was put into a 07 Suzuki Reno after I had “hard start” issues with the 2006 model after having the car for just five days. The ’07 model developed hard start issues, again after just five days. The dealer put me back in the ’06, which he claims is fixed. This issue first became apparent in the ‘06 last Spring, although the company has yet to develop a permanent fix. Suzuki claims (through the dealer) that the hard start problem is limited to the ’06 and the ’07 I got was a fluke. If I could get Suzuki to void my contract, I would and I would never again buy a Suzuki or recommend one to anyone, even my worst enemy. Don’t even consider this car!

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  Dont buy this car! - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Cris - March 24 - 9:03 am

  The Suzuki Reno is totally unreliable. After I had the car for just five days, I began to have problems starting my 2006 Reno every morning. After two and a half weeks with the car in the shop, I was put in a 2007 Reno, which developed “hard start” issues, again in five days. In both cars, the “passenger airbag off” light stayed illuminated regardless of my having a passenger. The dealer put me back in the original Reno, claiming it’s been fixed, which I do not trust yet. Suzuki never returns my phone calls. Their customer service is non-existent. If I could get them to void my contract, I would and I would never again buy a Suzuki or recommend one to anyone, even my worst enemy. Don’t even consider this car!

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  Tires and brakes - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By sandy93 - November 20 - 9:00 pm

  I bought this car new and had nothing but problems, The brake pads had to be replaced every three months, Tires only lasted about 9 000 miles and it has been nothing but a money pit. When I called Suzuki they just blew me off. I would not recommend this car to anyone. What a joke.