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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  AERIO - Excellent value for the money - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By micndom - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Good acceleration and breaking (ABS). Power steering is effortless without being too sensitive. Relatively high sitting position. Plenty of interior space. A lot of fun to drive !

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  A Bargain SUV! - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By 4-2n8-1 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Its a delight to drive. Takes curves and turns crisply with no front end plowing. Power train excellent with added horsepower. Gas mileage advertised at 18-20 mpg, but at less than 1,000 miles on the odometer weve been averaging 22 mpg driving city and mountain Haleakala National Park). The 3rd row passenger seating was one of the selling points and though a bit tight, its handy in a pinch (no pun intended) for carrying our visiting friends on Maui. We like the keyless entry where on click opens only the drivers door and two clicks, all other doors. We are extremely satisfied with our purchase.

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  Excellent choice in SUV - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By aly0705 - December 23 - 9:16 am

  After driving smaller sports cars most of my life (2 Toyota Celicas, 1 Mitsubishi Eclipse), it was time to trade up in size. I needed a larger vehicle for business, and wanted something people didnt have to climb in and out of, me included. The Grand Vitara is fun to drive, handles beautifully, looks great, is designed very well. People stop to ask me about the car when they see it - few know that Suzuki makes cars, not just motorcycles!

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  Edmunds, get your facts straight - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By kingston4 - December 21 - 5:52 pm

  I bought this car back in APR 2012 with 61K miles. Ive now got 81K miles on it and Im lucky enough to have 2 relatively close Suzuki dealerships that still honor the original warranty on it. Edmunds says this car has 127HP, no, it has 137hp. Edmunds says this vehicle has a loose handling system, NO, it has a McPhereson (one of the best) strut system up front, and multi-link in the rear with SSPS, being a test/pro driver for 2 years I find this suits the FF layout of this vehicle perfectly. Edmunds states all these strange facts yet they have no road test review, nor do they have any proof that anyone even drove the thing!

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  The fun 4 wheel drive - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Bernard - December 20 - 3:40 pm

  I was looking to replace my Geo Tracker and wanted to have a 4 wheel on command with manual and excellent fuel economy. The SX4 stuck out as the smallest most fuel efficient in this class. The purchase price was another major component. I have the car now driven through one of toughest winters the Midwest had in a long time. The car performed without a glitch and I am very happy with y choice.

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  My Yellow Submarine.... - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Florida_AerioSX - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my car two months- but its been a great "ride" so far. Im finally getting used to the stares that my "yellow sub" gets. I love all of the standard equipment and the power that the engine has. I wish it got better mileage (appx 25 mpg mostly highway), but I guess if you want "pep" something has to give. It feels very stable on the road and seems well built. I cant wait to several years of fun with this car.

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  Great Car - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Dave - December 18 - 2:50 am

  I love my car, its fun to drive and looks good as well.

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  Love this big little car - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By bonnie - December 16 - 10:53 pm

  After driving my saturn for 4 years, I went to purchase another small vehicle due to my long working commute. But, I live in Pa and the weather can be harsh at times...this car got me through the mountains, the horror of driving the highway with all the 18wheelers!! This car is fun, turns the heads of drivers on the highway..and I feel totally safe inside

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  Fourth New Car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Phil - December 5 - 10:16 am

  My 2006 Suzuki Aerio is my fourth new car purchase and fourteenth car purchase ever. For a small, low-priced and economic car, the handling, power, and comfort are excellent. This line of cars will catch up to the other Japanese car-makers in a few years and will probably become like-priced. Buying now gets you a super-bargain.

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  What a Big Surprise in such a little Car - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By What a Surprise - December 3 - 9:40 am

  The car performs well, and is quite comfortable - even for my 61", 250 lb son behind the wheel. His girlfriend is 59", neither of them could fit well in my Sebring. Acceleration is impressive for such a small car, and with the italian styling, Ive had people ask me what type of car Im driving. With a 100k 7 year warranty, I know I can drive this car for years without a worry. Its definitely worth consideration.