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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  Very good until - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Lizzie - December 8 - 9:23 pm

  Love this little SUV that we bought used. Do not have to climb up and in, nor have to lower oneself in - a boost for those of us w/ creaky knees. Zippy, 4WD when it suited us (birding) quick and easy. But the AC has died and the estimate is just under $1000.00! In So AZ cant live w/out AC so we will have to trade it in on... what?

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  Not a Good Car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Matt - December 7 - 12:03 am

  I bought this car used with 13K miles on it. Now I have 29K and I am really beginning to hate it. In the last year I have replaced 3 door handles, 2 sensors for oil pressure, and the tachometer just quit working. My overall thought on the car, it was a good attempt but it stinks. If you are looking into buying a car like this, my best advise to you would be dont buy it. P.S. Tires are ridiculously hard to find and are very expensive!

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  Problems - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By figs1 - December 4 - 7:37 pm

  i baught the car at 30k miles after an old ladie had it. got it for a sweet deal and thought i just made out with a great buy. by the first week my tpsm light was going off with 40 lbs of air in each tire. i drove it to college (700 miles) over 10 times. while over at college my car started jerking and pulling to find out i have to replace my intake. got it replaced for boo koo bucks and everything was good. about a day later the jerking started again. it would stall out at lights go low (300) rpm and jump to 6000 rpm. this would spin my tires and even fight my brakes causing me to have an accident with a 2011 lexus (not good) got it repaird and found that the wire connectors were loose.

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  Cant Beat the Price! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Soto - November 29 - 6:06 am

  The Grand Vitara is a great SUV for the price. I got mine very cheap and love the drive. It has decent gas mileage. Its mileage it a lot better than my other SUV! I have no complains.

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  Stay away from this car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By nick131 - November 26 - 10:11 am

  This is the worst car i have ever purchased. The transmission control module had to be replaced every 6 months. Loud engine. I bought the car with 6000 miles and at 30k miles head gasket went out. Struts had to be replaced 3 times. So last week i decided to sell it for only 1000 dollars. I lost 8000 dollars but i am so happy to get rid of that piece of junk. Suzuki makes motorcycles NOT cars. Please do not spend your hard earned money on a Suzuki. Good luck finding a dealer for parts, they all closed their doors.

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  Good family car/ great on fuel - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By Mr.Chris - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Traded my gas guzzling Blazer for this car. This is the second esteem I have owned. the first was a 1999. The CV axles are only good it seems for 100- 130k miles. Comfortable, not a powerhouse by any means but good on gas and the A/C is freezing cold. I have almost 150K on it currently and have had really good luck with Suzuki products as a cheaper alternative to Honda with the same reliability. Folks, keep up maintenance to make it last. Simple. Regular oil changes, tune ups etc. That simple. Fun to drive, I have a bad back at age 33 so the firm seats are great. The factory CD player isnt working but the radio does. I really have no complaints. GREAT ON GAS.

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  Fun, Sporty Reliable V6 5-spd=grt value! - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By jazzbabe2 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  26000K down the road, and I would highly recommend this SUV. Before buying, I compared it to Mazda, Honda, & Toyota - offered in 4 Cyc SUVs built on car frames, at a higher price + w/o power incl. The GV is built on a truck frame w/shift on the fly 4-wheel drive, + power options incl! I added after market extras and the car looks sporty. Fun to drive, it has exc interior passenger space + headroom, quality comfortable seats, good cargo space, + handles well in snow. No problems in 26,000+ miles + dont anticipate any problems ahead. I live in Boston yet drive to the Fitchburg dealer because their cust. serv. is unsurpassed!

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  country boys limosine - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By lindywren - November 22 - 2:00 am

  this old country boy has never ridden ion a more comfortable vehicle. i am handicapped and find this vehicle to be the easiest i have ever been able to get into.

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  the best - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By itsmyne - November 22 - 2:00 am

  excellent and all encompassing

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  Completely Dissatisfied - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By HORRIBLE CAR! - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My Forenza has been nothing short of a nightmare. I have had to take it into the dealership 4 different times for the same transmission problem not to mention a brake light switch burning out. My computer panel falling out of its brackets leaving it dangling by my feet, my rear view mirror coming out of its mount, and having both the passenger and driver side door handles complete snap off. I only have approximately 45,500 miles on my car, and I have had to put up with all of these problems. The warranty is great, but when you have to take the car into the dealership at least once every four months, its not worth it. I am definitely trading it in for something that is not a piece of crap.