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 Daddy Mobile - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Jason - August 27 - 10:23 am

  I am a large fellow and this car is a perfect fit for me. I have plenty of leg room and am very comfortable in it. Its style is just sporty enough to make me feel young (Im 27) but also responsible (I am a father of 1). Its safety features are very important to my wife and me and were one of the deciding factors in buying the car. Ive only had my Forenza for a week and I couldnt be happier with it. Although the wheel covers could be improved to help the look of the car, the car itself far outweighs such petty gripes!

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  Great Value - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By stockton2007 - August 22 - 7:56 am

  Purchased new in May 08. Base sport sedan, 5spd, no options. Total discounts $1700 + free gas card and 0% for 60 mo = Fansatic Deal. The car is great for its class, huge trunk, excellent headroom, backseeat fits my sons car seat well. Interior is a clean look but lots of plastic (remember the $15k price). exterior is stylish and actually has alloy wheels! MPG is 25-27 which isnt bad but is low for this catagory of cars. It has some pep with the 5spd but is by no means "fast". Drives well and has a decent feel for the road. Has had good traction in rain and snow even with the FWD sedan.

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  I Love My Car! - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Joann Ponder - August 21 - 3:43 am

  I have only had my vehicle for about 1 month but so far it has been my best. I actually enjoy driving again. Would highly recommend to anyone.

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  Love the Aerio - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By HappyCSA - August 17 - 10:00 am

  The Aerio is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. It has a roomy interior with plenty of room for myself 2 teenagers and all of their stuff.

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  LOVE MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Terry - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Owner for approximately one year. Have owned Honda Accord & Nissa0n Altima and traded a Toyota Rav 4 for this Suzuki Gr-Vitara. The Suzuki is the Best of all of them as it offers more versatility cargo area just a hair shorter than the RAV 4 but full feature with the addition of the NET for shopping pkgs etc. The all leather appointments look & feel better than the other vehicles. Overall it performs equally to these others, is soundproof and dashboard steering wheel conveniences. I LOVE DRIVING IT!

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  Junk door handles - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By John - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Three of the four interior door handles broke off, but since the chinzy warranty of 3yrs, 36K miles expired they were not covered, so I crazy glued them all back together. Also, paint is peeling off the exterior door handles, and I baby this car, dont drive in snow or ice, and wash and wax often. Its impossible to service the antifreeze, transmission, and drive belts yourself. The car drives ok, but doesnt get as good gas mileage as my 1970 dodge dart, which got close to 30mpg on highway, this one gets 26, and I tune it and maintain it myself.

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  DONT LOVE MY SUZUKI !!! - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By tpiantedosi - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY SUZUKI FOR THE SAME REASON AS MOST - IT COST LESS THE THE OTHERS. I HAVE FOUND THOUGH YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS W/ MINE. THE DOOR LOCKS WHERE FALLING OUT, (THE SCREWS WHERE NOT SECURED), I HAD A TRANSMISSON OIL LEAK (THEY DID REPAIR IT ) THERE IS NO GAS LIGHT (I RAN OUT OF GAS 4 TIMES). i HAD OWNED A TOYOTA RAV 4 BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS & I LOVE IT. I DRIVE A STANDARD SIFT, AND THIS ONE IS SO MUCH HARDER TO DRIVE. THE TIRES ARE SHOT AFTER 20,000 MILES, THERE IS NO HAPPY MEDIUM WITH THE HEAT - EITHER YOUR FACE IS ON FIRE OR YOUR FREEZING AND YOUR FEET NEVER GET WARM EVEN WHEN IT ON FEET ONLY.

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  Very Disappointed - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By LaVette - August 9 - 12:26 am

  Ive had my car for a year and I have experienced problems from the time I bought it. The car stalls when you are driving which put me in some dangerous situations. I have taken the car to the dealership 5 times and they can not fix the problem.

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  Great price Great Value Great car !!! - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By Mopstick - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a graet way to get this car for thousands cheeper, just get the 4 cyl. I got it loaded for 16000 and its tight Very reliable most of all Its big in a small way I hope you enjoy it We do We have bought a few suzuki products over the years and the value and reliability is what you com to expect from any japanese car compay with out the heavy price tag !!!

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  Lights Out - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By datmo - August 7 - 5:43 pm

  Bought the car and have only had problems. I had the light harness replace a year ago and just the other day i smelled smoke and poof lights out on a dark back road. Went to the suzuki dealership "same splice pack but the recall was done your gonna have to pay $200." Suzuki has no customer service and besides this my airbags lights have screwed up twice my mastercylinder went my check engine light wont go off ive replaced about everything in my exhaust system to try to get it now i need to replace the catalytic converter