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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  Excellent vehicle - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tuesday - April 7 - 10:00 pm

  This was our first time buying a new vehicle and we are very pleased with the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. It is very reliable, comfortable, and stylish! I would suggest buying this vehicle to anyone who will be traveling a lot with a child and dog.

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  Recent buy....Loving it so far - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By KR - April 5 - 8:43 pm

  Loving the Suzuki Crossover so far. Got the loaded Touring trim. Lots and lots of extras for the money. CAN NOT beat the features for the money. Nav, heated seats and mirrors, keyless entry and start. Great safety features...insureance only went up $12/yr. Drives and handles great. Biggest for us, was the AWD. Cant wait to drive it around during a Maine winter. Weve owned Toyota, Mitsu, VW, Dodge, Pontiac. We believe we got the best value for the money, by far, this time around. We also love that everyone else isnt driving one. Well see how it holds up. If it does well for a while, we plan to return for a Suzuki purchase for our other vehicle...the Equator truck to replace a Durango.

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  4x2 Suzuki Extreme machine - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By shawn stevens - April 4 - 3:46 pm

  my experience from the first test drive was wow! nice quality interior fully loaded options, leather, bluetooth, sunroof, roof racks, 7 speaker system 18" alloy tire and rims, fog lights, and many options above and beyond the other SUV market, I did test the others for a 3 month period before making my final thought / purchase. the ride is smooth and the seats can accommodate my 60 frame comfortably and acceleration from the V6 is brisk and a broad power range with great smooth shifting from the 5 speed automatic transmission.

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  good car.. - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Jewells - March 23 - 2:00 am

  i drove about 15 small cars before i got this one , its got alot pick up and go.. i drove it from pa to ca and back last week alot fun to drive .. the money i save on this car WOW..i ran into snow and rain did real good ..i love the fact i could had got something bigger ..but i save about $3000.00 on this car and and got good car..and becuse the back sets fold down i got room for very thing i need to get in my car.. one thing i did see looking for cars was all about the same size but big name cars cost alot more, and so seem to small on the inside

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  great off roader - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By keith parsons - March 23 - 2:00 am

  this suv has great horse power great off road handling.looks great you guys dont give much credit to this suv.this guys are building good cars.you give good reviews to the tracker but not the vitara.come its the same car lol

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  Happy with my SX4 - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By dianitalu - March 18 - 12:23 pm

  I just purchased my new Suzuki SX4 two days ago and I am loving it.

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  Wonderful Wagon - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By L.Mendez - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car, so far so good.

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  great car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Miroslav Spajic - March 2 - 4:23 pm

  Great car for the money

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  A very good buy in more ways then one! - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Nadia Adams - February 26 - 6:56 am

  My husband and I are Jeep lovers, when we met we both had Suzuki Samaris. We spent the last 2 years looking for the best vehicle to upgrade with. But after our son came along we were even more anxious on finding a dependable and secure Jeep to transport our bundle of joy. We stubbled across a pearl white XL7, after the test drive we were sold not to mention that it was in great condition and had low mileage. It looks good but when we have family outtings & picnics it accomdates everything from bodies to bags! My husband has even taken the Jeep filled with friends on an island tour of our country Barbados and every passenger was so comfortable during the ride they feel at intervals!

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  Grand -Grand Vitara! - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Costas - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent all round use vehicle. Strong work horse. 30% of time pulls a 2 ton boat on trailer!