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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  Satisfied until a month ago - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Debbie - November 15 - 5:10 am

  My husband and I purchased our Suzuki Forenza in August 2007. We have been satisfied with it until about a month ago when two door handles broke off, so we took it and had them fixed. At that time, for some reason the service tech did not know how to get our car out of gear and a spring was broke in our gear shift. We got that fixed. Now, two days ago, I was driving to work and the car slipped out of gear by itself and went into neutral. I immediately took it back to the dealer and they put a transmission relay switch? on it. Within the last month, I have had the car at the dealers 3 times. Not very satisfied with this car at this time. Would never buy another one.

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  Beat the crap out of this thing - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By justapacking - November 15 - 3:40 am

  Bought it used to go to Alaska in .First thing I did was remove all but drivers front seat. I have two 4x4s but have gone most everywhere I wanted to in this thing. I can tell you there have been some realy large bugeyed heavy duty four wheelers. Gas mileage hard to beat (40+ if you keep it under 65 with no air).

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  A Very Luxurious SUV for a Reasonable Price - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By christa - November 14 - 6:26 pm

  I love the Suzuki Grand Vitara! I fell in love with it at first sight. I drove a couple of them until I found the right one. I love the Smartpass system. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Joey - November 13 - 8:36 pm

  This car is a dream to drive. It was my first SUV and I am very impressed with all of its standard features, performance, off-road capability, and craftsmanship. It handles well in all weather conditions and has a comfortable ride with plenty of room in the passenger and cargo areas. For an SUV it is great on gas. I just wish I had gotten the Luxury model with the Smart Pass Entry System. I highly recommend it over over all the other SUVs in its class.

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  2006 Suzuki Forenza - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Synamin - November 11 - 5:13 am

  My car drove well for a year, I loved it! Then everything fell apart. There was the recurring engine warning light due to faulty gas cap, the center console hinge broke, very annoying, the inside trim along the windshield began to come off, the drivers seat belt would unlock by itself (very scary!), the air bag warning light would turn off and on, in mornings or after it sat a few days sometimes it would not start. THEN the entire motor blew up! The block crumbled and pistons fell out. So, I got it replaced, 6 miles after being "fixed" the car croaked again. Now they say there is a software mishap & itll be some time till they can fix it. Oh & there are a few "minor" recalls.

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  My Car ROCKS - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By his&hersAerios - November 10 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I bought two Aerios in July. We both love them. He wrecked his after one payment and promptly replaced it with yet another Aerio. They are fun to drive so far! I have the standard comments on the + and - sides: + Zippy for the price, great sound, cute car, lots of storage, good gas mileage. - the door mouldings on the inside rattle. I cant configure the tilt and seat position to reach the gear shift properly so my shoulder hurts if I am in stop/go traffic. Other than that, we both love both cars.

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  Still a Daewoo - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Gerry Lucas - November 10 - 8:23 am

  Its a nice looking car, that rides nice. But thats about it! I has no power. And the transmission shifts too soon. Then down shifts abruptly possibily causing loss of control. The car has been back twice for a new computor and its better, but still not right. Its still a Daewoo by a different name.

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  You wont pass any gas stations - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steve - November 10 - 5:53 am

  Purchased 2005 Forenza LX wagon with 4 speed AT & 4 wheel abs. Like the style size and features with the vehicle. Like the small engine , I have a new driver in the crew and figured the meek acceleration would be a plus. The car is embarrassing for a 2005 model year vehicle , gas mileage in the city is 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. If you live in a rural area may be an excellent purchase for those of us in city driving the gas mileage makes this vehicle a mistake to buy. First foreign car purchase and it looks to be very disappointing.

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  Best Value - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By voicetrack - November 5 - 5:43 am

  Ive owned this car for just over 6 months and havent had a single mechanical issue. A seatbelt latch broke and the dealership fixed it under warranty in just a few minutes. The gas mileage is excellent, the performance is adequate. The interior is quite roomy, and visibility is great. The controls are conveniently located. I love the heated mirrors. I dont usually buy new cars, but the long warranty convinced me. This is a great car for the money.

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  Rise of the Tall Cars - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Michael Rahl - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the Aerio because it was the least expensive AWD vehicle I could find. The new style of building the car up rather than out is what sets this vehicle apart. I shopped the competition but their interiors felt cramped in comparison. Why do automakers have you sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you? This is a style of automaking that should go the way of the dinosaur. The exterior styling has grown on me, and I enjoy being one of the few in my area that has this car. I get many favorable comments on it from other motorists. I cant believe that a car in this price range has so many standard features.