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:

• 

  Did I buy SX4 too - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Vladimir - May 28 - 8:46 pm

  Ive read many good reviews. I bought the car. Now I am wondering whether it is the same car which many other reviewers described. It is slow. In the city it is OK but joining highway traffic is a dangerous exercise. Going from 45 to 60 is so slow. You push the accelerator pedal and wait and wait and wait. You need to be very careful. Gas mileage is 23 mpg. Ride is not smooth and solid. The car behaves like a heavy and unwieldy carriage on the road. Missing many small storage places. To a future buyer, please, TEST drive.

• 

  I must disagree - I love this car - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Indiana Gal - May 25 - 4:30 am

  I have to reply to a couple of earlier posts. I get from 26.5 to 29 mpg on my daily driving (40 miles round trip) so I was surprised about the rating. Also Im still driving on the first set of tires at 17,500 miles. I read a review that listed 3 sets of tires in the first 20,000 miles. It does seem to have blind spots when trying to back up, but overall it is easy to drive and easy to park. It has a huge trunk, large enough for luggage for 4 on a 5 day trip. I bought this used with 7,000 miles and now over 17,000 and have not had any repairs at all.

• 

  Suzuki dreams - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By gojiman - May 23 - 9:00 pm

  Overall quality and ride is good. I like the idea of it being a heavier car in its class, a little over 2700 lbs. I would only say this, if Suzuki put the muscle it puts into its motorcycles into its cars, WOW! I realize that Daewoo makes most of their autos but this company has such great potential in being more than it is. They say most of Suzukis cars are quirky and I agree but this is why I like it. I am aware of some of Forenas mechanical problems, they are small and few compared to its competitors. Suzuki still has one of the best warranties in the Industry! Keep on digging in!

• 

  door handles break - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By doggett - May 17 - 4:06 pm

  I love this car EXCEPT that the door handles have broken 3 times!!! And, the paint on my door handles is peeling off! We bought this 2007 model in 2008 with a new full warranty, so the door handles have been replaced for free each time. But, it is a pain to schedule and appointment to have it done. Also, I feel like the dealership thinks Im crazy and that I am actually abusing the door handles and breaking them. But, I am paying the bill each month and I expect it to work properly. I must say I am very happy with this car- especially the air conditioning, speed and gas mileage. I was worth every penny!!

• 

  A good car stuffed up by engineers - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By ozisx4 - May 14 - 5:33 am

  When I studied engineering 30 years ago, one of the first things we were taught was to make frequently serviced components easily accessible. Obviously the engineers at Suzuki did not go to the same university !, try changing the cigarette lighter fuse, you have to dismantle the facia or be a contortionist, try to replace the oil filter, almost impossible to undo and retighten without special tools ! Love the car but hate working on it, also a problem with the paint on the hood, measles !!! Suzuki maintain that they are stone chips despite no similar spots on the guards etc. Suzuki aftersales service SUCKS.

• 

  Overall a nice, fun, 4WD SUV - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By tishpit1 - May 14 - 2:50 am

  My father and I co-own this car, bought new, to handle the treacherous roads of Pittsburgh in the winter. It handles very sporty, good tire grip, great in turns. Mileage was a dismal 16 MPG in Pa., but since moving to Florida, now getting 27.6 MPG, but all level driving. Feels roomy up front, tight in rear, and more cargo room than a sedan, but not as good as it could be (fold flat rear seat needed!). Peppy around town and on highway, CVT does a good job. Interior is rather bland and radio quality is poor. But my biggest gripe is regarding the front "A" pillars... causes DANGEROUS blind spots. Poor design on that, and must lean forward and back to see around them. Seats are hard too.

• 

  Bad Company - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By cliffmc - May 8 - 5:38 am

  We bought 2 Suzuki Forenzas from Dealership in New Smyrna Beach, FL. the first brand new and the second used. The A/C climate controls broke on both, only 43,000 miles on the second one! Right after warrantys were over of course! A $300.00 part! Had to pay the Dealership $90.00 to look at it and say "yep its broke" so they could send a report to the Manufacture in the hopes of fixing it free of charge or some kind of help? But of coarse they declined to help at all! This Multi Million Dollar company screwed over a loyal customer for $300.00!! The Dealership has never been very helpful or that friendly after you buy! I Would highly recommend everyone to stay away from Suzuki!! Built cheap!

• 

  My Forenza - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By john - May 2 - 4:06 am

  This car is economical with gas. It gets you to where you want to go in a relaxed way. I love it so much.

• 

  Pleasant surprise & fun! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By crossover sx4 - April 23 - 4:10 pm

  Came upon the sx4 by accident at a car max. Asked to drive one, was so impressed by the build , quality, responsiveness, very maneuverible, very fun to drive. Love the hatchback, you sit high looking over most cars, great visibility, had rails on top, got optional bike racks,very high quality at fraction of the cost of leading car tops. Looks sharp, have had so many compliments on this car. Upholstrey is comfortable, very supportive, fit and finish are very good. Love driving the stick, smooth shifting. Temp.gauge ,time and mpg display very visible. Beautiful red lighting at night, easy on eyes. The pop up navigation system is so convenient, works immediately, blue tooth connection, and MP3.

• 

  Could be better - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Lesley385 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice fully loaded SUV; however, too expensive when considering the poor gas mileage. Ive had one idiot run into the side of me and I barely felt a thing. He was going 45 mph when he hit, so if you have kids you can rest easy that theyll be safe.