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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  The Best Kept Secret Small Car - 2012 Suzuki SX4
  By wlight777 - April 11 - 1:46 am

  The SX4 is a great all around general purpose vehicle, especially the Crossover. This car is heavy, solid, and handles great when driving around twisty back roads. Suzuki is biased towards building great handling cars rather then simply ones that accelerate fast. The SX4 Crossover is NOT an economy car. It easily weighs over 3000 with a driver and full tank of fuel. This is a vehicle that tries to do everything well and succeeds. Some cars just do one thing well, like a Prius getting great mileage or a Wrangler being good in the middle of the woods. You will get fed up with that when you need a car that does something else. The SX4 is that very car, and a reliable one.

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  Great Value! - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By s.h.c. - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Excellent quality, great value for the money. Fun to drive and rides very smoothly. If you are looking for a SUV with 3 rows of seat at a reasonable price (low $20K), definitely consider this SUV.

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  Airbag Issue? - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By denise_from_sc - April 8 - 3:56 am

  Our Suzuki was totaled out after an older Ford Explored hit the driver side on March 19th of this year. None of the airbags deployed. I loved my car. I doubt I will ever buy another just for that fact. A co-worker has an 07 Forenza...was hit by a deer...twice, within a a few months of each other. Practically the same spot on car, and location within her community; and neither time did the airbags deploy. How can you trust a car that isnt protecting you?!

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  Bang for your Buck - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Chris - April 7 - 3:40 am

  Great price on a well built sedan. We were reluctant at first even consider a Suzuki, but after taking it on a long road trip, we were pleasantly suprised about how well it handled, gas mileage, and its smooth ride. The only drawback is the lack of cruise control. By far, you get a lot of car for your money. Very satisified with this purchase.

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  Premium Ride - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By Roger - April 4 - 5:46 pm

  I have owned my new Equator 2 weeks now. With the big 16 inch tires and aloy wheels, it rides like a big ruck.So far combind mpg is 20. Things they could improve on are: Should have offered the V-6 in the "premium. Plastic flimsy glove box and door. Gas door is not remote and can be opened by anyone on the outside. No trip computer unless you buy the "sport model. Dash lights illumination level is fixed and cannot be changed. Auto/manual shift is nice feature. Mud guards; bed liner and other items all extras also. This truck in the premium package should offer more as standard features especially for the price of this model. Needs improvement if Suzuki stays in the truck business.

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  New Family SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Chuck H. - April 4 - 9:03 am

  We traded my wifes VW cabrio on a Grand Vitara XSport 2WD last week. We needed more room since we have a child on the way. We love this SUV. The long list of standard options and safety features along with the XSport option made it the best value for the price. The exterior design is outstanding. The projector headlights, keypass entry system, sound system and a well designed comfortable interior make it feel more like a luxury vehicle than a value priced SUV. The road manners are verry nice and it gets decent fuel mileage with the peppy V6, 23 mpg average so far. My wife has a hard time admitting that she loves an SUV with gas prices near $3 a gallon.

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  Grewat Car - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By ddcast1 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a dream and a affordable price

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  Run around, over and through - 2000 Suzuki Vitara
  By JM Hufstedler - April 2 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my Suzuki with 850 miles on it and after 4 years and 60,000 miles it has never disappointed me once. Not in snow, heat, short jaunts or long highway trips. The back seat is cramped, but theres tons of headroom and at 61" I always have plenty of leg room in either of the front seats. Ive had no body or engine complaints, and the interior material is incredibly durable and cleans up nicely.

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  Baby Bert - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Doug - April 2 - 4:43 pm

  Excellent little car to drive and fun too. Ive only found one drawback to the car, when driving,if your passenger who is sitting in the front seat happens to raise up off the seat for a few seconds, the air bag will turn off. This little design flaw could be fatal if the air bag sensor does not reset itself properly. My Forenza only resets when the car is turned off and then restarted.

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  A Lot Of Car For The Money - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By regulatorone - April 1 - 7:40 pm

  My fiance and I were in the market for a new car when we stumbled across the Forenza. We began to research it and others in its class. We were amazed at how many standard features came with the S! No matter which car was compared (again, in its class) with the Forenza, time and again the Suzuki won hands down. Its a sprightly little car thats fun to drive. Really. Even with the auto. This will be our first car together and our first Suzuki. Needless to say, we bought the S and cant believe how much we saved over the competitors!