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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  My Second Grand Vitra - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By john grace - June 14 - 11:56 am

  This is my second Suzuki Grand Vitra. The first was a 2000 Limited model, which I had for almost six years. During that time I had no problems. It was a great SUV and this one is even better. Its a great SUV at a great price.

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  Smart People Drive Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By sailor6322 - June 13 - 1:23 pm

  This is one great car. More features than most others at a much lower price with great warranty. The only real difference between this auto and others is name recognition. Test drive one before you buy any other car in this class and you wont be disappointed.

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  Suzukis answer to the Toyota Camry - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By ivan g. - June 13 - 12:50 am

  The Verona is a great come up for Suzuki. They needed this car a long time ago. The features that comes with it are great. Also, this car has great handling. Test drive it and you will love it. $20,000 for a brand new luxury car is straight.

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  Rating new 2006 Grand Vitara - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rick Humphers - June 11 - 1:30 pm

  I am toatally happy with my purchase of the new 2006 Grand Vitara built by Suzuki. It is very comfortable and has excellent looks. The SUV can get up and move with its V6 engine when it needs to, yet the mileage seems to be a little better than acceptable. The only problem I have had is that the radio (built by Clarion) needed to be replaced and back center seat belt does not retract properly and had to be replaced. But the warranty is taking care of both those items.

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  227,000 miles and still kicking - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By cmerrell - June 10 - 7:56 am

  Car is excellent, it just keeps going even after 227,000+ miles.The ride is smooth and quiet. I keep running into owners with the same year and model and theyre all boasting high mileage with little problems. 100,000 miles ago I had a problem with one side of the catalytic converter. The cost, $900, never got the other side done. Other repairs:power windows, a heating element, freon for the AC. I never had a tuneup, transmission flush, or any maintenance, just regular oil changes. The only thing I dont like is the 17/20/mpg cost because I drive an average of 20,000 miles a year, there is no icon that reminds you gas is low (ran out several times), and now a slow oil leak -2qts a month.

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  Love my car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Tragar - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I have been searching for an affordable vehicle for the past two months. Most of the time if a car was affordable you would be driving a box. The Hyundai Elantra made me feel claustrophobic. When I took the Forenza for a test drive I knew that it was the right vehicle for me. It is roomy and classy at the same time with a great price tag. My last vehicle was a Toyota Camry so you know that I already had high expectations.

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  Good Bang for Your Buck - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By AL - June 7 - 5:36 pm

  Overall, this car is excellent for its price. It sure has power and can haul some butt on the road. At first, you may not expect it to be too great for being a new car on the market, but try it and youll end up liking it.

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  SX4 Upshift Nightmare - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Dodger - June 7 - 2:36 pm

  Do not buy an SX4 Crossover with manual shift!! When I test drove this car I noticed an odd tendency to over- rev when shifting up through the gears but put it down to my unfamiliarity with the car or to the engine being cold. I have driven stick shift cars for the last 35 years and was confident that a slight adjustment in driving style would avoid any issues. How wrong I was! The SX4 has a bizarre electronic throttle linkage that unpredictably decides to rev the engine in between gears when upshifting and no amount of adjustment in style can reliably avoid over-re

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  Some Quirks - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Good & Bad - June 6 - 6:43 pm

  To start, let me say I really do love this car. But, it has had many problems that make it annoying at times. I had the problem with it not starting for the 1st 6mo I had it-the dealership could never fix it but it stopped happening. Then I had an airflow problem (scary)- The tires wore out (low profile)at 24000. And, Ive had non-stop issues with the airbag sensor, that they just cant seem to fix. I was just told that it would probably need a new Serp. belt soon. But, the car is fun to drive, sporty, decent on mpg. MPG could be better for a car this size, but Its better than an SUV! If you know how to drive the automatic as a manual (as you can in this car) really gets up and goes.

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  Womans view point - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By C Porter - June 4 - 7:26 am

  I enjoy how it handles and the interior storage for five person seating. I was very pleased with the space and comfort on long trips. The seats are firm, providing good support for the legs, seat and back on short as well as distance trips. I was pleased with braking in emergency conditions.