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:

• 

  A car you dont see every day - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By gregg - January 22 - 7:00 pm

  Overall, a fine little car. Love the exterior styling, a real headturner. Interior design is very good, with high quality plastics. The car has great steering feel, and the 17 inch tires and wheels make it handle like a go-cart. The brakes will make it stop on a dime. Fuel economy is very good, could improve though. Suzuki needs a 5 speed auto in place of the 4 speed. Im surpassing the city estimates easily, but the highway number seems pretty accurate. Suzuki needs a bit stronger air-conditioner, it takes longer than I would like to cool down the inside on a hot day. Also, the stereo sounds great with CDs, but the radio needs stronger reception. Engine is almost as smooth as a honda 4.

• 

  New Car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By lbgirl - January 19 - 8:46 am

  I recently traded in my honda civic. I love my suzuki.

• 

  Initial impressions - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By city slicker - January 17 - 10:23 pm

  just bought mine so this quality/reliability rating is irrelevant. All the reviews suggest the only small X overs you can actually take off road are Subarus and the GV and the GV is incrementally better off road. That was my deciding factor, despite reliability concerns. Always owned Hondas which have been bullet proof. My X Sport has true 4X4 w/lower gearing. I wanted the 6 cylinder with its addtl off road capability, but they are sold out in my region. I NEEDED to buy, Suzuki has $3K rebate and Sept sales were awful so dealer was willing to deal so I decided not to wait for 2010s. The GV price was right, the interior is nice & it has some off road chops. well see about reliability.

• 

  MY 2001 XL-7 Limited - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Paul.Fritz1 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this with 5K on it from the dealers owners wife who was also my sales person. Has been dead on reliable. No rattles except the emergency kit under the back floor. MPG is about 22 and runs just fine on regular. I actually have the limited but there is no limited mentioned in the list above. Really good in the Snow and just overall very nice.

• 

  Quite good SUV - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By frank fiore - December 26 - 11:16 pm

  Vehicle mostly used for short trips averaging under 10 miles (averaging 20 mpg) but around 26 mpg on the long range 65 mph or faster trips. The car has excellent fit and finish, nice interior, decent sound system (car is intermediate (not premium) trim package but cloth seats are fairly comfortable. We have had no (none, nada!) maintenance problems. Car was a rental for the first year of its life so we have been pleasantly surprised at its reliability since we bought it at 30000 miles. Excellent paint job, rubber door trim and doors close with a nice solid thump! V-6 engine very quiet once warmed up.

• 

  2000 Swift AVG MPG 38 - 2000 Suzuki Swift
  By Paul B. - December 17 - 12:16 pm

  I bought the car in 2007 when gas prices started going crazy to get out of my 16 mpg pickup. What a great improvement, 38 mpg plus when I dont have to haul anything large. Im on the road alot, 18,695 last year with only one trip out of state and my annual maintenance costs below $200. Yes I perform my own maintenance and on this car its a breeze. The car is easy to drive and maneuvers very well in todays tight parking lots. It gets up and goes for the little 1.3L, no problem accelerating on those freeway on ramps. I would recommend this car to anyone trying to save money on commuting and around town costs. Only one problem, everyone thinks they have to pass you because it a small car...

• 

  Peepy, Great mpg, and easy to repair - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By Randall M. - December 3 - 8:56 am

  My Swift sat on the lot over a year until I found it. I just wanted a commuter car with great mileage yet had alittle style. True, most Swifts are driven by senior citizens because of their ease to drive, mine came with a 5 spd and just air conditioning. I figured, it had everything I needed but nothing that I didnt need. Immediately, I used nothing but synthetic oil and put in Bosch platinum 4 plugs. At just 1895 lbs, my Swift is peppy!. Changing brakes and the air filter is a snap!. I consistently get 37mpg on mostly city traffic!. Yet, understand that the interior is generic and the brakes are soft at best. At 50000 miles the interior light and lower fan speeds failed. Still, I Love it.

• 

  A Fun SUV alternative - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By CWM - December 1 - 6:50 pm

  We bought a brand new SX4 Crossover AWD Technology in Copper last month after having the transmission go out on our Hyundai. After looking at a variety of different cars, my wife saw one of these in the parking lot at Walmart and instantly came home and researched it on the internet. The next day, we went and test drove one. We love the spacious interior, excellent gps, cruise control, power everything, and the beautiful copper color. Selectable All wheel drive is a bonus, as is the CVT transmission with manual shifting ability. The Crossover rides smoothly, but tends to have some body lean and sometimes spongy feel. The engine is powerful, but only above 3,000 RPM. Overall, good car

• 

  Takes a beating - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Takes a beating - November 26 - 11:03 pm

  I am in sales so I am always on the road. I drive a lot of miles. This car us great! Always dependable. Has trouble starting from time to time but I just give it a minute after a couple of tries and she starts right up.

• 

  My suzuki X-L7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By crach - November 26 - 2:00 am

  The car runs smoothly on both highway and local roads. Is able to easily acellerate onto highways. Has no problem in snow, we had a bad winter last year one storm was over 30" our XL- 7 never got stuck. Gas milage could be better it gets around 15 miles/gallon around town, 19/gallon highway. Its had two recalls both were quickly repaired by the dealer. I love the ABS braking, its worked well on slippery rain slicked roads.