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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  Love our Grand Vitara - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Budman - February 1 - 3:23 am

  I never wanted an SUV. Our friend convinced us to take a test drive and we were hooked. It fit our needs and its new design was unique and set us aside from the "normal" look of all other SUVs. The features and quality are just as good as many other more expensive models. So far we have 4,000 miles on our Grand Vitara and we are still happy without any problems.

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  Suzuki stands beind their cars. - 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By MK - January 31 - 2:33 am

  This is my 3rd Vitara & I think they are great. You get the features you need from an SUV, without having to break your bank. Became a repeat Suzuki customer because of their corporate integrity. Had big problem with 1st Vitara-was out of town & timing chain broke. Had to be towed to nearest Suzuki dealer. Was told by their mechanics that this shouldnt happen. Put in a call to Suzuki & even though it was out of warranty/over mileage - they had it fixed at NO cost to me! The owner of dealership was amazed, he had just started selling Suzukis, but had been owned auto mall for 30 yrs. Told me that he had never seen a manufacturer stand behind their products like this! Value & integrity!

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  Loaded with fun - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By bErTo - January 30 - 11:56 pm

  After comparison shopping, the 2006 Suzuki Forenza Premium w/ABS was my pick. It has a lot of headroom for my 6 body, loads of standard features, and a nice ride for an ecomonomy car. The expensive looking exterior and interior add a touch of class that make you wonder if you are driving an economy car. I love to drive it and recieve many compliments.

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  Nice Little Truck - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By josh - January 30 - 12:33 pm

  Been a great truck for the blend of offroad and street driving we do. Tows our boat pretty well and does very well offroad compared to others cars in the same category Ive driven. But it does ride a little more rough than say a RAV4 but its a fair trade for more capability. The 4-mode 4wd system is pretty nice.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By H - January 29 - 6:13 pm

  Very fun to drive - zippy, handles well, good pick up, small turn radius, parks easily. Great entry-level vehicle. Only disappointment has been gas mileage. I expected low 30s combined city/hwy, but getting only mid/high 20s. Bought mine brand new - last one on the lot, I have almost 18,000 miles on it - its been great. Kids can get in and out easily, huge trunk fits baseball and lacrosse bags easily. Drives Colorado mountains with ease. Radio/CD player is OK - its whats expected in this type of vehicle. Comfort is average. Although I sprayed Scotchguard on the interior myself, interior cleans up easily.

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  Grand Vitara - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By josberg - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a surprisingly well designed and fun to own car. I kind of held my breath and took the plunge when I bought it but have been smiling ever since.

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  Suzuki Has come a long way! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Verona Fan - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This car has it all interior is spectacular.It is super quite comfortable and has an awsome ride.This vehicles construction is superior to what I have seen lately and the price fully loaded is 19,900 this car looks like a Volvo drives like a 50,000 dollar car.A luxury car at this price? WOW Quality Comfort Performance and Super Value!This is a Suzuki?!@#$

• 

  A GREAT CAR FOR 19K - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By tabby97 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car.....My previous car was a VW Passat and even though it was a great car this is much more a drivers car.

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  Woderful car originally built in Korea - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By johnchoi409 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  As a characteristic of Korean cars, it has a very quick kick off compared to it horse power. Its silky six cylinder aluminum engine and i would say its as if in between four and six cylinder. Its definitely powerful than four cylinder less than six but it takes more fuel than four since six, but not more than usual six ones. Style, excellent. Its come out in Korea several years ago although redesigned very little bit, its still looking good inside and out. You should definitely say it looks luxury and ride feels luxury enough comfortable. I would get full featured Luxury verona than base model non-featured accord or camry.

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  Best SUV under $30,000 - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By VC99 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The high-performance engine. Good location for the filter. 2 timing chains. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable on driving.