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:

• 

  I love it! - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Sherri - November 20 - 7:46 pm

  I love this SUV! Ive had it a year and I still enjoy it. The only thing I dislike about it is the rear door. If someone parks to close to you, you cant open it, as it swings out instead of up.

• 

  Not for the long legged - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Disappointed in PA - November 18 - 6:13 am

  I bought this car for $18,900 including tax, title, and license which is too much money for this car. The AWD is great. Have had it to the dealer twice to replace the display consol (clock, temp etc). Cruise control doesnt hold your speed very well. I drive 55 miles daily to work so I have to get gas every three or four days. Very disappointing gas mileage for a 4 cylinder. Its only getting maybe 22 mpg at the most and the tank only holds 10 gallons of gas. Im 6 4" and this car has great headroom but practically no leg room. Back seats dont fold real well. Overall a good car but it needs a few more years of improvements to be a great car. Dont recommend it to guys with long legs.

• 

  I like it. - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By crisp - November 11 - 8:23 am

  The dealer told me to buy this car new over a used Honda Civic. Im actually quite impressed. It did have the not-starting problem for a week, thats gone. 2 recalls. 1 for the seatbelt latch and another for the headlight wiring harness. I put 87 octane in it and get around 30 mpg combined. Stellar if you ask me. Very quiet car at rest. The a/c freezes. Perfect. Spins the tires when I want. Brakes could go for 100k miles. I paid 11k for this car new and other than bad resale its an awesome commuter for sure/

• 

  Pretty Fun Little Car so Far - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By SMR - November 11 - 6:23 am

  So I have only had my 2006 Suzuki Reno for about two weeks but it has been pretty impresive for the money. Lets face it, its a cheap mode of transport. But its got some class thats for sure. I think the Italian design really helps. To me it looks better than cars out there that cost twice as much. Its very European looking. It could be that the car is actually a Holden Viva from Australia which was basically rebadged as a Suzuki. Overall I have been quite impressed by this stylish little guy. If you like the little European cars (like I do), then you wont be dissapointed. Test drive one and I think you will see what I mean.

• 

  No Power features - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Micheal - November 10 - 10:00 pm

  I purchase from private owner car run great had very little problem with it 02 senor and check engine light come on from time to time, but dealer has reset engine light, for me, Just have problem with power feature not working all fuse check good and relays are fine just lose all turn signals indicator, emergency flasher, power window, and power locks traning to check on if this a warranty, or recalled items having not luck car still runs greats

• 

  Good Pick 2002 SX 5M - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Cary - November 4 - 8:13 am

  Bought this 2002 in Nov 2003 as a "temporary" car after the one I was dring was totaled. Four years later, still going strong. No real problems from SX at all. Good room inside, plenty of head room for me (63"). Nice design touches: reclining rear seats, arm rest in rear, cargo cover, height adj front seat, tilt steering, storage tray under pass seat . Not a huge fan of digital dash, but function cant be faulted and forward visibility is excelent. Easy to maintain, good on tires and brakes. MPG good but not great (28-29 most of the time), that bigger engine has its downside.

• 

  My Verona I love you but. - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Andy Cloutier - November 1 - 10:40 am

  We liked what we saw, the style was very attractive, The 20" wheels look real racy and it has disc brakes all around, wow. I like the ABS and air pressure check from the dash. The 6 cylinder engine is very smooth. The pneumatic hood lifters are a plus, no need to raise the hood bar. The automatic shifter very smooth. The interior wood applique and chrome trim very are attractive. The leather intrerior, heated seats and heated outdoor mirrors are a luxury you wouldnt expect from a car this price. BUT, its gas mileage is not impressive. I am only getting 15 MPG on average. My car wobbles too much on windy days and the transmission is a little clunky when shifting, It is not a perfect world, we love it and we would give it a B+ all in all, the Verona is a nice city car.

• 

  Its Not Bad! - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By SelfEsteem - October 30 - 4:03 am

  I didnt get the lemon one! Only use it for work. I notice though that the first time I filled up the gas tank full, the needle was on "E." Will not suggest for very long travel time. Only get about 21mpg rather than 26mpg as noted by EPA.

• 

  Dependable - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By summer - October 14 - 3:26 am

  I have had this car for 10 months and put 20,000 miles on it. Its very dependable and very spacious in the back seat for my two toddlers, I even have room for a third child, if needed. The trunk is huge for lots of storage. Sometimes when you go over 85 mph, it starts to shimmy a little. The gas mileage is alright, not the best, but not the worst either. Overall, a great car at an affordable price.

• 

  Excellent small car - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Ron - October 8 - 3:13 pm

  Very nice car to drive, has lots of features for the price. More power and torque than some of the other brands, Seems roomy to me as far as the interior goes, decent stereo system, easy to get in and out doors, This is my third Suzuki from the same dealership. I traded in a fuel hungry Truck for this car, Ive gotten up to 34 MPG on the freeway but mostly avg 30 MPG combo driving. Really great visibility windows.