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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  I love my Suzuki SX4 - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By MELYNDA - October 15 - 5:43 am

  I had a lot of expensive cars and fast cars. I compare the turning ratio on my Suzuki to my BMW 525xi. I love the stylish interior it reminds me of an Audi. I get great gas mileage. I live in south Jersey and I go to New York every weekend. I can fill up my gas tank on a Sunday and still have a quater of a tank left by Wednesday. For the price you cant beat all the features and benefits that comes with the SX4

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  Excellent Vehicle!! - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Kelly - October 13 - 10:26 pm

  My boyfriend and I bought our Suzuki Forenza about a week ago and I love it! Although ours is a 2008, its still similiar to the 2007. Its a great vehicle. The exterior design of the car is excellent, and the interior has more than enough room. We have two small children and we are both still young ourselves, so the exterior and interior fit our needs very well. Its a great vehicle and I would recommend it to anyone!

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  Two Forenza family - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By tedrik - October 11 - 1:46 am

  I am writing this review for my wife who was smarter than me and bought a 2005 Forenza LX for less than my 2006! Oh, well -Suzuki had better discounts on its closeouts! Anyway, the car rides and handles like a larger sedan - it is very quiet with and attractive design in and out. it has a great sound system that is usually an option in higher priced cars (140 watt CD / Cassette system). I am totally happy with my purchase.

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  Love it - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By CraigB - October 9 - 5:03 am

  We traded my wifes Murano for the GV, she wanted something smaller. We spent 3 months researching every small SUV on the market. Test drive and features sold us. This is a great suv and a great value. Handeling is marvelous, and the ride is solid. Could use a tad more power. Smart key took some getting used to, but love it now. Everything about this little truck rocks. I want to drive it, and leave my Lincoln in the garage!

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  Fabulous and Affordable - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Happy2 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Lots of room, comfortable , cute and affordable. I Love my new Forenza. Great gas mileage and lots of trunk space. The armrest with the cupholder on the backseat is great for kids to put drinks in. Less accidents. Very family and Pocketbook friendly car.

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  Super SUV - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By rservice - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Suzuki, I previously owned 97 Mercury Mountaineer and was looking for a newer Mountaineer when I saw a Red 04 XL-7 in the mall concourse. I had to walk around it several times, it was so sharp looking. Several months later my husband saw the "Route 66" commercial & suggested I look at the Suzukis. It was like he was reading my mind. Drove one the next day and picked mine up the folling day. I love it!!

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  Great SUV For The Price - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Nick - October 3 - 11:43 pm

  I bought my 2004 Suzuki XL-7 a year ago and absolutely love it. Like others I looked at Toyotas but couldnt afford to get into the $30,000 range. This XL-7 has a car type ride and you can feel the road very well. I must also say there is not much road or wind noise. Its interior is designed very well, although it could be a tad bigger, as sometimes you can feel squashed. I have had 3 SUVs, including a Toyota 4-Runner, and I would take the XL-7 over them any day. I paid $19,200 for this vehicle with automatic climate control, heated mirrors, cruise, tilt, etc. I suggest you drive one before settling on any other SUV.

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  First hand report - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By J D Reichert - October 2 - 11:43 am

  February 27, 2010 and I purchased a Suzuki Kizashi SLS on February 20 with every option except the GPS. We’ve driven the car 343 miles sense we picked it up. My automobile reference point was a 2000 Cadillac Eldorado that we had owned from new. Additionally I drive a 1983 BMW 633CSi 5 speed (German version). The Cadillac had a 300hp V8 but under normal city driving the Kizashi performs very well as compared. For the first 300 = miles we are recording 20.0 mpg on 87 octane fuel. The car rides very compatible to the BMW but not as soft as the Cadillac. The highway noise level is about the same as the BMW, and both have the Dunlap SP 7000 tires, but is not as quite as the Cadillac.

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  Great car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By greg - October 1 - 12:03 pm

  I am so impressed with this car. The price is great, the performance is impressive, and the look works. Not so generic looking as the hondas and toyotas. Mine is the premium with the alloys and moonroof, white, with a black pinstripe. Feels like a much bigger car, holds the road well. Mines an auto, has great acceleration. Not as stiff riding as the other cars, but I prefer that. plus, the best warranty in the country. Whats not to like?

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  Suzuki Forenza - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Justin Maier - October 1 - 9:50 am

  I love my Forenza. Ive had it for almost six months now and everything about it is great. I feel like it has a good amount of power, especially in the higher gears and at higher speeds. This car is everything I needed in a car.