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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  Love it - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Franklin E Soto - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I have an SUV 2002 Ford, Explorer and was not into buying another new car for the moment. but my wife was needing a car to do small things around and close to our home. We shopped around,Focus, Rio Cinco,Vibe, Protege,Saturn L200 etc. She fell in Love with The Silver Aerio SX 2003. We drove it as all the rest 2lt. 145 HP sure makes a difference, beautiful on the inside, great air condition, great CD sound, excellent movements, great space front and back,outstanding price.Man we bought it ,now the problem is I want to swap, Ford Explorer for her Susuki Aerio SX.

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  A Fine Vehicle Worth A Serious Look - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Angels - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I had been shopping SUVs between some other more well-known brand names, but I eventually decided to purchase a Suziki after my wife and I test drove it. The reasons that convince us to make the purchase are as follows: 1). The engine is significantly quiter than all other SUVs under 35K range we have test driven. 2). The road manner is smooth and comfortable, more car- like. 3). The exterior and interior are satisfactorily decent. 4). Hard- to-beat value for the price you pay. 5). The size of the vehicle is just right for someone who is looking for an SUV that is not too compact neither too bulky.

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  Great City Runner - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Neichnm1 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The truck is narrow, agile handling, quick off the line making it great for tight spots in crowded places, yet long enough to give plenty of inside room. Not suitable as a long distance cruiser. Seats are too small for long drives, wind noise high at speeds over 65. Fuel tank range limited to 300 miles per fillup.

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  Suzuki, for the price - good car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By EJLowerre - July 5 - 1:03 pm

  Bought the car for price/gas mileage. For 12K (tax,title,interest on loan included!) great value for the $$ Only one problem with the gas pedal being a little sticky otherwise not too bad. did get hit by someone going about 10 mph and it ripped the bumper off but still Im happy overall. Gas mileage could be better with the rubber band they put in for an engine though, I get 25 around town and 30.5 on the open road which to me is not good enough.

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  250,000 MILES!!!!!!! - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By willis1987 - July 1 - 7:48 pm

  Need i say more? lol no really 250,000 plus miles and still going strong although there have been some problems along the way a rear main seal luckily a family member could fix. A new barely used rear end had to be put under it about 2grand there. Just now in need of throttle position sensor also just realized a tranny mount broke needs replaced so couple hundred bucks but it has been an absolute beast of a car all 250,000 miles put on it great vehicle would def recommend to anyone looking into purchasing one they are stroooooonnnngggg little motors tranny is smooth and overall comfort of ride is pretty well great

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  Review - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By hortega - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Suzuki w/19,000 miles/Jan of 2007,I have about 95,700 miles now with same transmission problem at this minute.I have driven this car with no problems to Texas twice.I got good gas mileage and smooth comfort I did change to better tires,I also did a lot of LA street driving with no problems up until last Oct when I first felt the jerk of the car when I put the gear in reverse.I have been driving it on and off.If it jerks I turn it off and wait a few minutes and start it up again listening for the idle to come down thats when I put in D. Looking for the part so I can get someone reliable to install in the Los Angeles area any hints. I love it except for transmission problem.

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  Suzuki Verona EX - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By marvinlee - June 20 - 2:00 am

  The Verona is a precision built, attractive car with low power and only fair fuel economy given its six cylinder engine with dual overhead cams. The overall fit and finish rival much more costly cars. Notable is the light effort to open the trunk lid, the beautiful instruments (LS and EX models) and automatic temperature control (LS and EX). Unlike any other new car I have owned, the Verona has not required any return trips to the dealer for minor factory assembly problems. The body is quiet on good roads but transmits excessive tire noise on rough concrete and asphalt.

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  Suzuki Aerio SX Wagon is good - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By T.F. - June 19 - 4:20 pm

  You pay less for Suzuki up front but you have to upgrade them to your liking. For example, the suspension needs to be upgraded, the engine needs a performance boost but the overall car is fine. The only complaint I have is the Suzuki should have promoted the Aerio for the long haul but instead they dropped the model just like the Esteem model line. The transferable warranty is makes them a good used car buy.

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  Inexpensive but reliable - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Bryant - June 14 - 4:56 pm

  Suzuki has come a long way with design and quality of its vehicles. The Forenza met all of my expectations and then some for this vehicle class and price range (base $10,499). I own a 5-speed and an automatic S-model version. The automatic shifts smoothly but lacks HP. The manual trans is peppy in comparison but stills lags behind its competitors (Honda, Toyota, Nissan). Fuel economy is better with the manual trans. My opinion remains high of this car. Needs a few improvements to be more competitive.

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  Its OK! - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By Tincan - June 10 - 10:00 am

  The 1.8L engine is powerful the exterior desing looks great, seats are supportive cant complain about the gas milage.AC and heater work great nice sounding factory 2DIN stereo, big trunk,relaible The ride /road noise in this car is horrible at highway speeds everything in the interior makes noise the auto transmission whines at speeds over 40 mph and is slow to up shift when cold. Dealership installed cheap tires had one blow out the others went flat, do not like the main headlights as daytime running lights.