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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  Great Little Car - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Lakebear - April 20 - 1:50 am

  I have had the car for 10 months now and I still love it. It has been great in the ice and snow. I have gotten up hills that other cars were slipping and sliding on. The traction control and anti-lock breaks have kept me going in a straight line when other cars in front and behind me have been fishtailing. In addition to being very reliable and safe, it is a blast to drive. It is so comfortable that my husband always wants me to drive even though his Saturn gets better gas mileage. Im averaging 27 MPG and I drive 100 miles a day back and forth to work. I test drove a Honda Fit and Civic because they got better gas mileage but they just didnt feel as substantial as the SX4.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By step - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This car has all the luxury features that many other cars didnt have and still cost more. A great value. The ride is superb with exceptional smoothness. I have found that the I6 engine will take off and go as fast as I want to. Dash and steering wheel controls are good. Climate control is great.

• 

  nice try a ex - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By russ213 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  great ridding car comfort leavel is great I hope suzuki gets the word out

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  Afordable Luxury - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Rydlewski - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Here is a automobile that is desigened to fit todays life style at a price the hard working middle class folks can actully afford without selling there first born. The car offers all the wonderfull luxury features one would expect on a Honda Accord EX, but at about six to eight thousand dollars less.Power is not over abundend yet nice and smooth in mid-range of the Porsche designed inline six. Styling of the Verona is very distintive of the Georgario desigen studio and is pleasedly different from the norm. Overall the Verona gives cosumers a lot of driving enjoyment for the dollar.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Vickie - April 18 - 3:50 am

  At first loved this car. Disappointed at 15,000 miles needed new tires - Have 28,000 miles on and wont pass inspection - needs new brakes and left rear wheel bearing. Compared to my other cars in the past I never had this many problems at 28,000 miles. Tire pressure light constantly comes on. Very noisy when you turn the a/c on. Just feel this car was very cheaply made. Worried if my brakes and tires went this quick - what about the engine?

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  2002 XL7 Limited - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By FlyinGN - April 17 - 10:00 am

  We researced for SUVs for about 8 months before we got the XL7 Limited. We wanted 3 seats, leather, sunroof, 4wd, not too big, not too small,and great build quility and comfort. The more we searched the more we found out that there really are not many choices if you did not want to spend over $30k.

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  Cant go wrong - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Chuck Scott - April 15 - 1:13 pm

  This is the best car on the market for the price, if you want a no-frills, compact sedan. I dont mind shifting, so the 5-speed gearbox is fine for me. The downside to opting for a small, light vehicle is that you dont have the comfort or heft of a larger sedan. Consequently, it can get a little uncomfortable on a road trip. But for local trips this makes a good second car. My only criticism is that the flow of air from the heater to the floor is insufficient. I had this checked out by the dealer, and was told that everything is operating normally. Although gas mileage could be better, I am very satisfied with the quality of workmanship, performance and reliability of this vehicle.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By dpeter - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Wow, with 4 children was looking for a smaller SUV that would hold seven. Not many choices on the market. Looked at the Escape and CRV. Dollar for dollar, glad I choose the XL-7 w/ the trird row seat. I love it as well as the kids. Am commented by others how great it looks. Love the drive as well as the mpg. No regrets and highly recomend.

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  Nice, but work on MPG - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By brad - April 13 - 12:53 am

  I bought the 2005 Suzuki Forenza S. I think the main reason I bought this car was because of the 100,000 mile warrranty with full transfer to the next buyer. The gas mileage on mine around town and a little freeway is about 25-27 mpg in Utah. My 2002 protege gets about 29 avg. so they need to work on that. The car has very good standard features that most base models do not come with. Mine is having some issues with the air bag sensor and some dashboard noise while diving. All and all, this is a great car for the price!

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  Great Car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Liz Marshall - April 12 - 10:43 pm

  The Suzuki Aerio is the best AWD deal out there. I am looking at a safer commute with a small price tag. I love the roomy interior, it handles well, it is great looking, and its a good value. I love this car!