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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  Hate this car! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By tamip8400 - June 8 - 5:16 pm

  This car is junk! I havent had the car a yr and the door handles broke off, the key is constantly stuck in the ignition which runs the battery down, the gears wont shift at all, wont start in cold weather, terrible on tires! There are hundreds of people online with the exact problems and no recalls for any of it! BEWARE!

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  Buyer Beware!!!!! Cheap paid, cheap made - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Alisha - March 30 - 5:20 pm

  I purchased my Suzuki in 2007. I have enjoyed the vehicle until just recently. I have started to have transmission problems and I have not even hit 50,000 miles yet!!! The only place that will touch it because of the "great" warrenty is 60 miles away. The Suzuki dealership told me to just drive it in and if it breaks down then I will have to pay for the cost of towing as the warrenty does not cover towing costs that far away. The dealership that sold it to me flat out lied to my face and said they work on Suzuki, but when asked today they said they meant giving oil changes and such. This will be my last Suzuki, next time Im going American and will save myself the stress and headache!

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  My Suzuki is the worst purchase ever - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By dawn martin - February 19 - 5:56 am

  My Suzuki Aerio is not even two years old. and we have had it in the shop 8 times now. We are talking major stuff here. The transmission has been changed,along with the head and new pistons. The front axle fell out while my husband was on the interstate. We had the car one month and it went in the shop for the first time. My advice, dont buy this car. We are being told there is nothing we can do about the car. This was by the district manager.

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  Beware! - It May Not Start - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By ShenValleyGirl - February 13 - 7:40 am

  If you’re considering buying a Suzuki Forenza, test drive it more than once. “Beware” of the Intermittent "no start" problems occurring on many 2006 models. The A/C output is not good nor is the acceleration. If you’re 5’8" or taller, you may find it’s a bit difficult to get in and out of, especially when wearing high heels. I bought mine in late May, had it all of 7 days and190 miles before the “no start” problem occurred. In fact, it happened two days in a row. I took it back to the dealership (35 miles from my home) for diagnosis and repair after the second incident. I thought the first one was just a fluke. It was there 7 days. I have it back now and the engine revs high and idles rough every morning.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By jerushah - January 1 - 12:32 am

  I bought the car new from the dealer and have had problems with it from day one. The interior handles broke off, it rattles, jerks when put into reverse, check engine light comes on all the time, dents easily, paint started coming off within a week, have had to put over $1500 into repairs, and now I have to pump the accelerator to get the thing to start. I will never buy another product from them. The car is total junk and should be recalled.

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  Never Again - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Very Unhappy - December 29 - 11:46 am

  This vehicle has been a problem from the first month of purchase. First it would jut die while driving, then it idled all over the place, transmission (automatic) is rough and jumps a bit coming out of 2nd gear. And now the engine began making alot of noise so I took it in and the repairs are not being covered by that oh so wonderful warranty. I have been told three different causes for this trouble from the samw dealership mechanic. I dont believe they know what they are doing there. I will never own another suzuki again! Poor quality and poor customer service!

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  They "Got" me!! - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By K. payne - December 10 - 12:13 am

  we purchased our reno right after we got married as a 2nd car, boy what a mistake we made. I think the car stayed in the shop more than we drove it; head light continues to go out for now reason, airbag light on, dealer dont know why, no good a/c heater output, replaced tires under a year, middle console will not close and we had to the timing belt in less than a year. This car is a piece of crap, cant trade cause its worth nothing. Biggest mistake we ever made

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  Dont BUY THIS CAR - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By Pazzion - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This car was a terrible buy. Suzuki should have stuck with making motorcycles. The cars handling was ATROCIOUS. After 6 months, my brakes went out. After a mere 4 months, there were electrical problems; my interior lights would not come on. The fuses would go out very frequently. The brakes light would come on at any random time; I would NOT have my parking brake on or my foot on the brake pedal. Even after getting the brake pads replaced, it didnt feel like it. The car would still screech and make a terrible grinding noise. Had I done my research, I would surely have bought a better vehicle, even used, for a comparable price and MUCH better quality.

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  Never again! - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Cara - September 29 - 5:00 pm

  I bought my car brand new and It goes through tires and rimes like crazy, the passenger airbag sensor went out (2000.00 part) a .75 cent spring in console cost me 200 to fix, now the Transmission range sensor is going out. They really need more recalls on this car but no one seems to care until the problems start to leave dead bodies on the road, hint (Toyota), back door handles are pealing, i would never buy one again. thinking about having a bomb fire with it, at least than it wouldnt fail me!

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  Ill Never Buy A Suzuki Again! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By VeryUnhappy - July 24 - 4:06 am

  The drive of the Verona is OK and the fuel economy is fair. However, tthe back seat is uncomfortable and the paint job duled way too fast, even with routine detailing. I have had this car in the shop at a minimum once a week every month for the last four months for : a blown engine (2.5 weeks), two water pumps (at least onw week, still in the shop for second) and AC problems (one week for diagnosis), which the dealer can never find the solution to. Can anyone suggest a nice cliff to watch this one go over? Just kidding. Ill never buy another Suzuki again!