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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  Suzuki Grand Vitara - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Alan - February 16 - 5:36 am

  I looked at the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, but I felt that the design and build quality of the Suzuki Grand Vitara were far superior. This vehicle is driven mainly on interstates across the Northeast and it has never let me down. With the V6 engine and a 5-speed transmission, its a blast to drive. Its fuel economy has been approximately 24 mpg highway, which is outstanding for a V6.

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  A Quality Ride at a Quality Price - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By edwardc19 - February 16 - 3:09 am

  The Kizashi is a nice balance of sport and practicality. It has an intuitive and fast brake system, nice sturdy construction, push to start, and sleek look in/out. The acceleration could be more powerful. I live in a city full of hills and sometimes the car just doesnt fly through them, but the ride is solid. Low interior noise, comfortable seating both in front and back, and good gas mileage. Ipod dock is a little poor and would of preferred an aux jack for easy mp3 access. I love the dash and beautiful red back lighting on the stereo. This car doesnt read high end luxury, but its a strong contender to beat Honda Accord and VW Passat.

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  Lil Blu Wagon - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By bluman - February 16 - 2:00 am

  A good basic car. Nothing flashy on the inside. Has a nice exterior.

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  Zippy - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Night Rider - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I previously had a much more expensive car. I had some the options on it bur costed much more. The value of the car is great. You really get alot for the money.

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  Great Car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Richard - February 15 - 11:06 pm

  After 55,000 miles We have no issues. Did bend a rim on a deep pothole once. This is a nice, good handling little care. The gas mileage could be better than the 22 we are getting.

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  A Great Deal! - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By reno - February 10 - 1:56 am

  We needed a car with more interior room than our previous Hyundai Accent, which otherwise had been a great car. After shopping around we chose the Reno. We received a lot of rebates with this car and found all of its features very intriguing. So far the car has been great, even though we only have the base model it has power everything and A/C. The gas mileage is a little disappointing, but is in no way terrible. All in all a great car so far!

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  great truck - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By terry m - February 9 - 11:56 am

  We bought this truck after looking at a number of others,the Tacoma and the Frontier.Im 62" and the Tacoma just didnt have the head room as the other two had.the Suzuki is made by nissan but has a better warranty,all of the air bags(which are an option with Nissan) and cost $2000 less.The drivers seat is a good fit but the passenger seat has to much lumbar support .Weve been averging around 21 mpg with 70/30 highway city driving.The truck has plenty of power and the ride is very good.I can even sit in the back seat,its tight for me but kids would fit nicely.The bed comes with a sprayed on liner which is a nice cost savings.Great truck for the money.

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  Great little ecoonomy car - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By BentimesX2 - February 6 - 10:20 am

  Overall this is a fun to drive little car. It handles the curves surprisingly well and has decent power for an auto. I had a modified Subaru and the Suzuki hugs the curves just as good in stock form. Not the fastest car on earth but it will put a smile on your face. So far we have put nearly 5000 miles on the odometer with no issues. Our sedan has the optional 17" black painted wheels with machined face and they really set the car apart. With the addition of front fog lamps it looks great. So far gas mileage is on par with the sticker but we have yet to get over 30mi to a gallon even on a 175 mile one way trip to the beach we never got over 26mi to a gallon.

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  POOR FACTORY SERVICE - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Mr, Not/Happy - February 2 - 10:00 am

  a/c broke ,Took about 2 weeks to get the part.Gas mi. only 17 mpg. Car has a very annoying vibration. I have been trying for about 2 months calling sukuki 800# to get factery rep ,twice he told me he will be out in about 3 weeks .I thought of tradeing the car in but these cars deprecate very much and the car is worth thousands of $ less then the loan. payoff.

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  Hidden Value of Intermediates - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Robert Gross - February 1 - 3:23 am

  My "other" car is a Mercedes AMG, so that is a good reference point when I say the fit and finish on this car is superb! My first car with a CVT and it is smooth. Good MPG. Buy one of these because everyone finds out about them.