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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  Versitlile Car - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Calbay7 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  this is a dependeble and versitile car the seats hurt your back if you do not get the leather option. But overall, solid transpoetation and a great value

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  Not Too Bad - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By mark - December 8 - 6:56 am

  I purchased this car new in Sept. 06. I have already put 5,000 miles on it and have not had any major problems. The air bag warning light came on and it turned out to be a wire connection in the drivers seat was loose. Next was the check engine light, that one turned out to be the gas cap not sealing properly. As far as the gas mileage goes, I have found that if I use a higher octane 91 or greater the fuel mileage improves. 87 octane is just no good in this car. I drove mine from San Diego to Texas and back and found I was getting about 360+ miles per tank with 91+ octane as opposed to about 300 to 325 mi on 87 octane fuel.

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  After 45,000 kms - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By Ray Suryadinata - December 4 - 12:10 pm

  Car is still going strong. No engine issues, no accessories issues. Interior trim issue related to the 2nd passenger seat handle covers. Both sides came off and replaced under warranty. Carpeting in the third row seat area came off (kids inadvertently kicked them off). It turned out the carpet was not glued or fixed permanently but only inserted under the seat and held by Velcro fasteners. The third seats have been used quite frequently and are bearable for adults during short trips. Other than that the winter driving is super. In spite of 4 inches of snow, no need for winter tires as the 4WD system made the all-season tires still adequate.

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  deserves more credit - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By jon or michelle - December 3 - 10:00 am

  This is a really nice suv, we really like the quality feel of the car and what specs you get for your $$$ think it would sell 100 times as many of these if it had a toyota or honda badge with the same features and same price. people cant look past that suzuki badge!! There loss!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Happy so far - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Mstarr - November 25 - 6:03 am

  I have had my Forenza now for 2 years. No major problems except for the seat fabric keeps coming off. Fuel mileage is poorer than expected. Ride is ok.

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  2000 Esteem Wagon 1.8, Great Car - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By rd400f - November 8 - 5:47 pm

  We bought our Esteem in 1999 but its an 2000 GLX model. I got the car since my father passed away 6 years ago and now in 2013, it still runs like a champ. I did the brakes pads once and then later on got some aftermarket drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads and new shoes and drums for the back. In all these 13+ years the car has never broke down on the road but once it didnt start in the garage. it was just the CMP sensor and thats about a 15 minute job for this car. Replaced the Idle Control Valve once, alternator and the struts and besides the regular wear items, tires, battery, belt, It keeps on going. My A/C never had problems since new and always blows cold.

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  Great car! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By kinkyllama - October 28 - 11:10 am

  Ive had my Forenza for over 40,000 miles and Ive taken it to about 20 hours of open track events plus autocrosses and she just keeps holding up! Have only had one problem which the dealer fixed. I have no complaints, I love this car!

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  Still love my Vitara - 1999 Suzuki Vitara
  By nb - October 27 - 3:23 pm

  I wanted a Honda or Nissan, but the extra $2k or more for those or for the Grand Vitara were budget busters for me. I love the purple color I got (electric cats eye blue) and the cute and fun look; I dont drive a lot (just to work; Im efficient and green) but I got this for off-road and it is excellent for that. Ive not been off-road as much as I wanted, but thats my personal life, not the car. I think this is an excellent value, and should be considered.

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  Sedan of the best value - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By 1688picky - October 27 - 10:00 am

  With the competitive pricing, you get this competent, 6 cylinder car well below Hondas and Toyotas compact/sub- compact offerings.

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  Very Happy - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Chrisnole - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This car provides a very smooth drive and is really worth looking at as an alternative to the Altima or Camry. You get more bang for your buck. We have the EX with all the bells and whistles and got it for less than the above cars without compromising quality. The verona is very roomy, comfortable and overall a good car. The acceleration is something to get used to and really the only negative thing I can report on, but its not enough to make me not recommed this car.