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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  Nice to look at...but engine is weak! - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By BassPimpGirl - April 19 - 10:00 am

  In general, I do like my Suzuki. I selected the Suzuki over other small SUV models because it was reasonably priced and had more "bells and whistles." In this area I am not disappointed. I am very disheartened by its weak engine, though. Whenever I am using the cruise control on even the slightest of inclines, the engine struggles and does not maintain a constant speed. I did not have this problem with my 2000 Kia Sportage.

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By bgdady834 - April 18 - 12:50 pm

  My Verona is a great car for the money and its is packed with a lot of features. The only problems are the wipers slip and become loose and get caught together and there is a lot of wind noise with the moonroof open. Other than that the car runs and rides great.

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  Rough ride - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By ted armand - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Very disappointed with the ride, feels like I am riding in a wagon. You feel every bump in the road, even went as far as lowering air pressure in tires. Love everthing else about it.Maybe I should have bought a car.

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  Previous Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By leo56 - April 15 - 6:56 am

  I purchased a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara with 120259 miles off the street. Well, I have to say that this vehicle from the start did not let me down. The performance was is fantastic, steering and driving has been an absolute joy especially on overdrive, it takes off like an airplane. I love the Suzuki Grand Vitara so much that I went out and purchased a 2009 model. It has everything I want in a small SUV with plenty to spare. I have not driven my new Grand Vitara yet, but my expectations are greater.

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  Awesome Gas mileage! but.... - 2000 Suzuki Swift
  By Josh (Cless Alvein) - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I must say that suzuki swift and chevy metro are possibly the greatest cars below 10K and its gas mileage is superior. however i must say....whos better, and i want a response from anyone out there.... whos better? a) Suzuki Swift b) Chevy Metro anyhow, an only hint is: imports last longer...ppl should buy these kinds of cars, there polluting the air

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  17 Inch tires are really bad - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Stacey - April 14 - 1:43 am

  I love driving my car, however I have put on 17,000 miles and I am getting ready to put on the 3rd set of tires. Dealership says these cars eat tires and I agree! At $200.00 a pop for 205/50R17 they are expensive!

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  I like !! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By roy71 - April 8 - 6:12 am

  Well, we got the Forenza 6 months ago with 29,000 miles. It now has 36,400 miles and only "problem" was one bent rim, which was no cost to us, the dealer even put a new tire on it for us =) I think its fun to drive, we have the 5speed manual. The design is really awesome, it beats the boring civic or corolla hands down. It has proven reliable so far. It seems like you get a really bad Forenza or a really good one. Ive read the reviews, after we bought it, if i would had read them before we bought it, honestly i probably would not have purchased it, but i dont regret purchasing it =)

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  All-Round Duty-Bound - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By Scott Keirn - March 30 - 12:10 am

  Great little SUV in this day of outrageous gas prices. By traveling 5-10 mph under the speed limit, my scanguage tells me I average 31-32 mpg. Good little vehicle for a man or woman and fun to drive and easy to maintain.

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  Beware of TPMS fees to re-set - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By schmoos - March 28 - 5:23 pm

  I have owned this car for 5 months. I nice ride love the paddle shifters just to have fun. I travel in heavy traffic to work with light driving on the week ends I average a disappointing 22MPG. I have had studded tires on the car for most of that time. When I put my studs on the console lit up and locked me out of my features. The tire pressure monitoring system was locking the dash up. I had to pay $300.00 for computerized valve stems. I also found that each time I change my tires out I must pay the dealer $30.00 to re-set the TPMS in the on-board computer. Other servicers (Les Schwab) could not do the re-set.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Curtis - March 23 - 11:20 pm

  I got this car 2 years ago with 45,000 miles on it. I have been in 2 accidents with it and it still runs great. It has 94,000 and Ive never had a problem with it besides now-a-days it doesnt want to shift right away when I get above 50 mph and my radio has a short. Other than that it is a good starter car. I am looking to get rid of it thought because I want a SUV.