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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  Luv My XL-7 - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By pam - June 7 - 8:20 pm

  We bought my XL-7 used it had 60,770 miles on it. My husband wanted to get me a better vehicle for my 40 mile commute. I love it. I never really thought I would like a utility vehicle but this one has surprised me. Corners well easy to handle and I can see out all around. Great little truck. I would highly recommend it to anyone that needs a 4X4 and it sports plenty of room and a third row seat for my grandchildren. My teenage daughter even likes to drive it. Very stylish looking and I would definitely buy another one. Best vehicle I have ever owned and I have had quite a few.

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  Reliable but the body stinks! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By April - June 7 - 9:16 am

  I bought my Suzuki in 2003... OH I was in love with it and I still love this car. The gas mileage... you can really depend on this car! However you should know that the body was made very cheap. Every Suzuki I see on the road is missing the same front and back pieces on the front and back bumper... both pieces fell off on their own. Of course in 2009 I had well over 130K miles on this baby because I traveled A LOT in it so my car never had any major problems... Another thing you might want to know is if you get into an accident with the body parts being so cheap your car will most likely get totaled. I know this because someone hit my car while it was parked last Saturday and totaled it!

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  Hit or Miss - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Tigran - June 6 - 4:10 pm

  Problems are minor so far. Bought it almost brand new with 4k miles on. AC needs repair every summer, but was covered by warranty so were some recalls. Fuel economy is fair but should be a lot better. Lacks power but overall good value for the money.

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  48000 miles now - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By smithjon - June 4 - 9:55 am

  Ive only had to do regular maintenance items no unexpected surprises. The tires have been replaced and regular oil changes at 7000 miles. AT service at around 36000. 25.2 MPG over the 48000 miles.

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  Deceptive Warranty - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Patrick - June 4 - 8:10 am

  I purchased this vehicle in hopes of getting an inexpensive dependable commuter car.When driving home one evening the car quit on the interstate.The car was under warranty so I wasn’t worried.I sat in the dealership the entire next day? After a couple of weeks the dealership called and said the serpentine belt broke and caused the timing belt to jump time, ruining the engine.The icing on the cake is that Suzuki refused to cover it under warranty because the serpentine belt is not covered and according to Suzuki it caused the engine to blow up.I disputed called protested, it didn’t matter, that warranty is a teaser, they never expect to honor it.The dealership wanted $7800.00 for a new engine

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  Good Review - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Paulie D - June 3 - 2:00 am

  All around good midsize SUV

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  Great Suzuki Wagon 2006 - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Great Wagon - May 31 - 9:40 am

  I purchased my wagon used with 13k miles for $9,200. I previously owned a Grand Vitara but it was too bumpy on the road. The wagon is smooth, average 25 mpg, can get as much as 27.6 on highway. I used 87 octane and read a former owners review and he suggests to use 91 octane for more miles. Just wish there was a rear release button for the trunk door. I now have 20k miles and no problems. I definitely would recommend this wagon over a SUV. Maybe one day they will improve the gas mileage and softer seats. The leather seating is so much better, but i didnt want an additional $1500 expense. Overall I am happy.

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  What I love and hate - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Anna - May 30 - 3:26 am

  I LOVE the radio controls on the steering wheel. The look and feel of the car is great. I HATE that its so hard to change the head lights and they burn out often and are uneven at night. I HATE that when the back windows are rolled down half way, a horrible pressure chamber hits your ears and an awful noise fills the car. Im told this is because the roof is not heavy enough and if we put a rack on top, that wont happen? Oh, brother! Its Apr 2010 and just had a major electrical problem that cost $800 and wasnt covered by the warranty. The back door stopped shutting all the way, got that fixed. The brake light comes on intermittently now. Its hard to see out the small back window.

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  I love my Aerio - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By nicole - May 26 - 5:03 am

  This car is much quicker and agile than I had expected. The interior is great and very easy to keep clean. Overall I think it was a very good value. My best friend has a VW Golf and she paid almost $5,000 more and the only thing she has that I dont is a nifty switchblade key.

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  Beats Out the Subaru for Us - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By bensx4 - May 25 - 8:56 pm

  We live in the mountains at Lake Tahoe and drive a lot through the snow and over the passes so we need a car with AWD, good gas mileage, and able to haul our gear around. We had all but decided to buy a Subaru - however we found out about the Suzuki SX4 and compared it very closely with the Impreza and found that the features were better in the SX4. The warranty much better (100,000 miles), the financing rate was lower, and the overall base price was about $4,000 less (plus its pretty cool looking!). So far weve put about 1,000 miles on it and have really enjoyed the car. It drives well, has enough pep to make it up the mountain passes, is very comfortable, and has lots of interior space for a smaller car.