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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  Body and performence - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By x-sport - August 26 - 11:16 am

  Really like the interior design and the exterior design, I think it is classy. It doesnt look like a cheaply made SUV. The controls on the steering wheel are really in a handy place. The seats are comfortable to sit in even on long trips. My experience has been really good. Its a really good SUV for the money. Yes, I would buy it again.

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  Nice Car for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By happy lady - August 25 - 2:46 pm

  The Suzuki Verona is a nice sedan. It rides great on the highway. It has all the toys for a great price. It could use about 40 more housepower though.

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  The Best New Vehicle Ive Ever Owned! - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Scott Tillson - August 24 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased my Geand Vitara new with 61 miles on it. I had to order from a place 45 miles away. I have had a great time in it. My 6 and 3 year olds have had lots of fun with us on the long trips from Norfolk, VA to Anniston, AL. We all were very comfortable the whole trip. If bad weather hit and we had to get out in it i just put it in 4x4 and had at it. I will never regret this purchase even if new cars depreciate quickly the moment that they are driven off the lot. I really love this truck. My family does too!

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  Im lovin it - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By alice - August 23 - 12:56 pm

  No regrets - its a pleasure and a pal. I drive 22 miles each way to work, along very twisting, hilly roads in the northeast. Havent tried it in deep sub-zero conditions yet, but ice, rain, snow, fog, heat, etc., have all been here, and weve done that with no problems at all.

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  Most AWD bang for the buck. - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Terry in KC - August 23 - 7:43 am

  Looked for second car for wife to complement her Lexus LS400. AWD was a must for KC winter commutes. We looked at just about everything under $20-22K, and kept coming back to this thing. It provides the best combo of power, equipment, warranty, interior, ride, etc near its price point. Better ride, gas mileage than small SUVs, plus quieter & cheaper. Interior style nice, exterior different but we like it. Build quality not Lexus, but neither is price. Very peppy, amazingly little wind noise at 80 mph. Handling wont wow anyone, but not a big factor for us. Resale poor, but should improve with increasing popularity. Biggest complaints: really lousy OEM tires. Spark plugs may be too hot for moderate or warm climates.

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  Thumbs Up for the Aerio SX - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By wayne morgan - August 16 - 4:23 pm

  I have put 5,500 miles on my Aerio SX so far and everything is working great. I like the room that it has for a car of its size and the way its gets around in traffic.

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  Good Car for Price - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By BBowman0711 - August 14 - 10:23 am

  I like driving this car because it looks good and its pretty roomy for a sedan. Going from a Corolla to this the extra room is amazing. Perfect for the baby car seat that I have to fit in the back. Not a problem with it so far and its at about 25000 miles now. The manual shifts great and the speed is suitable enough for a four cylinder.

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  Great little SUV for the money - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By REB - August 13 - 3:00 am

  Turned in a Mazda Tribute for the Suzuki and am very surprised and pleased with the Grand Vitara. We live in rural Kentucky about 3 miles out of town and get 21-22 mpg in normal driving and 24-25 on longer highway trips.

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  Hidden Gem - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By Chtyan - August 2 - 4:16 am

  I was shopping and didnt even know that Suzuki had a truck, I was looking at a Nissan frontier and after researching, I found out the equator was a frontier and the price was about the same but there are a few distinct differences 1-the better powertrain warranty 7 yr 100,000 miles vs 5 yr 60,000 miles 2-you get the better looking alloy wheels instead of the steel wheels 3- I think the grill is a lot better looking Ive had this truck for 2 weeks now and I have to say Im a very satisfied person. Im 6,3 and their is plenty of room for me. I would suggest to anyone to take a hard look at the Suzuki equator.

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  XL-7 Me! - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Barrington Bum - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle for the money! Downsizing from an Expedition, the size difference was our biggest adjustment, but the features and performance have won us over - and the rear windows go all the way down! "Value engineering" is evident in some places, but tolerable so far.