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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  Nothing But Headaches After the First 3 Years - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By jlaura - June 24 - 7:09 am

  I loved this vehicle for exactly 3 years. I purchased it new in October of 2006. It seems like all the problems began on November 1, 2009. There were multiple recalls (I received notice of the power steering belt recall two weeks after having it replaced); Ive replaced the tires twice; the headlights go out all the time; the CD player no longer works. Most recently, Ive been having engine troubles. My mechanic tells me that the throttle body has some kind of defect that makes it prone to getting clogged. As a result, my car wont start sometimes. My last Suzuki had a rear main seal leak at 55,000 miles. I should have learned my lesson then... At 78000 with this one; hope to get to 100000

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  It gets me where I need to go (: - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By mwaskey - June 24 - 2:14 am

  I love my little baby car she gets me where I need to go. I live in Alaska so that is kind of saying something havent gotten stuck or had problems with the car starting up in the freezing cold.

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  Love the Grand Vitara - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By James Erb - June 23 - 9:53 pm

  I purchased my Grand Vitara and immediately took it on a road trip from Colorado to Wisconsin. I found the vehicle pleasant and comfortable. I usually have to stop every couple of hours to stretch but in the Grand Vitara I was comfortable and relaxed for 5 hours at a stretch. I had no issues in the change of elevation or when the weather turned snowy while I was in Wisconsin. My return home was a battle of the driving through rain and sleet/snow and the Grand Vitara never missed a beat.

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  OK car but bad for the cold weather and snow driving - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By denis18 - June 22 - 10:17 am

  I bought this cat at 55K and sold at 92K miles on it when the bearing and brake pads needed change. The car is OK, but the engine light was on and off several times during my ownership of the car. Nothing serious was found and it looked like a computer glitch. The worst part is that the car is simply not designed for the cold weather and snow driving. At freezing temperatures all pneumatics go off, like locks, windows etc, and driving under snow is a lot of stress. Overall, the cars worth its price as long as you live in the warm climate all year around.

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  Poor build quality, dont buy - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By rick_vandeven - June 19 - 1:43 am

  My daugher bought a 2006 Suzuki Forenza with 22,000 miles on it in 2012. Less than a month after her purchase, the transmission selecter switch went out. This switch failed again after 8,000 miles. I stocked up this time. The car required a full tune up at 35,000 miles. The plugs were dust. I have never seen plugs look this bad in a car with this few miles. I replaced the timing belt while I was at it. I had a hunch this was the next item to fail. I just replaced the struts with 50,000 miles. They were absolute junk and would not stand on their own without the springs. Unless you like working on vehicles, do not purchase a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. Poor, poor, poor build quality.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By mysticcrab - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought our 03 SX AWD in 8/02, now have over 30,000 on it and no problems. Made a trip from NY to NC and TEN., performed beautifully on road, hills were no problem for the peppy engine, also great gas mileage. Lots of leg room, and with back seats folded there is ample cargo space for larger items. We love our 03 and are will be going back to Suzuki when it is time to buy another one. We are very happy with this car and recommend it highly.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Sandra London - June 16 - 2:00 am

  What a great car.......the exterior of the vechicle is great. Beautiful car. The inside of the vechicle is designed like a lincoln or cadillac with the features that are used (plus), anyone looking for a car should test drive this one first....havent driven a car with such great features....not an extra either, comes standard. The engine has such a purrr...to it. Anyone looking for a car should try this one before they anything else....It will speak for itself!!!!

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  Harolds XL& - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Harold Rood - June 16 - 12:20 am

  For the most part my ownership experience has been very positive. Second Suzuki that we have owned, had such good luck with first one that we went back for another. Folding 2nd row rear seats a little cumbersome and dont fold as flat as I would like. My vehicle does not have 3rd row seating, so I cant comment on those. Comfortable to drive and has relatively good performance.

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  bare basic car.. - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By Titu Bhowmick - June 15 - 2:13 pm

  I just bought this car a month ago with 31 k miles on it. Now it has 33k. The car was in a good condition when used. There are very few good things about this car .. it is usually average or below average. The car is very simple in design and so it is easy to work on. The build quality is bad, there are noises everywhere. A critical bolt for the engine mount snapped in the first few weeks. I think the wagon is a more practical alernative.

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  Unknown Discovery! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Cj and Marv - June 15 - 1:30 pm

  I went from a VW Turbo that I had for six years to a Suzuki Aerio. After one month I didnt enjoy it and traded it in for a Grand Vitara sport. This is the best thing I ever did. It holds the road, is easy to get in and out of, and the inside has a lot of head, leg, and body comfort. I am in real estate and get a lot of people commenting on this car. People stated they never thought of looking at a Suzuki, but now will take this in their consideration when they go to purchase a new veicle. I will be purchasing another Grand Vitara in a few months. One last thing, my husband who always buys a Pontiac Grand Prixs stated he will also be changing because he enjoys driving my truck so much.