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 little black rocket! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Rob Merz - June 1 - 9:46 pm

  I was quite torn as to what to buy. I looked at the KIA Soul, the MItsubishi Eclipse, the Subaru legacy, and the Suzuki sx4. First, lets prface this with, I know the eclipse is a whole different type of car. The Soul was very nice, drove nice, and had lots of options, but was just a bit too funky for my taste. the Subarus are nice too, but for far less money i was able to get the AWD suzuki. I fell in love with it at first sight! Mine has custom leather interior, carbon graphite accents, body moldings and custom wheels, so it looks different from the run of the mill Suzuki, but even the plain version is a kick to drive! Ive had it for over a week, and still look forward to driving it!

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  used 04 aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By gamb99 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  just bought used aerio sx and drove it 3,000 miles. loved it !! handled the mountains with ease, comfortable and smooth.

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  Two interior door handles broken - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Donna - May 26 - 6:40 pm

  The interior door handles broke on the front driver and passenger sides. Electrical issues....Occasionally, the emergency lights flash when opening the door and will stop when the ignition is turned on..several trips has been made to the dealer but they cannot find the problem. It also causes the AC to randomly blow hot and cold air while in the on position.

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  Pearl White XL7 Limited - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Captain Wade - May 17 - 10:00 am

  With 5800 miles under my belt I have to say the XL7 is a great car. I have the Limited package that makes the car look like a $40K SUV. Everyone laughs when I tell them its a Suzuki, they dont believe itme Full leather, sun roof power everything. And the extra room the XL has is great. I just brought home two 60 inch beches for my boat. One in the cargo area and on on the roof with the optional racks attached. Let me see a RAV4 or even the new KIA pull that one off. And 7 seats to beet! The longer wheel base really helps the ride a well. Definately worth a second look. Captain Wade

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  Very Good Car So Far - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By suzukisok - May 17 - 2:10 am

  The poor Forenza takes so much abuse. I dont doubt that these problems do indeed exist for its owners but I have had only two problems with mine. The CD player usually takes 10-15 insertions before it will play. This is the second one and it is as bad or worse than the first. It was replaced under warranty. The second problem is an erratic idle. Sometimes it will idle at 2,000+ RPMs at start-up or even after driving on the freeway and exiting, but I found a fix for this 98% of the time. At 15+ MPH come to a HARD stop (no skid) and wait 3-4 seconds. Why does this work? I have no clue. Otherwise I have has no problems. Also, performance tires make a HUGE improvement in the handling. I love mine.

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  Outstanding SUV for the Deseret - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By John McMullen - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned other SUVs different companies have owned six Suzukis and they are the best I pulled one big Cadilac SUV outh of the Hassayampa river bottom with my Suzuki and put a Ford Excursion back on the road from a giant mud roadway the lady was stuck in. So I rate Suzuki #1,as being a trueSUV off and on road.

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  I like my Zuki - 2001 Suzuki Vitara
  By Tam - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I purchases a nearly new 2001 Vitara a couple months ago. I really love it. Its my first 4 wheel drive but we looked at several before purchasing (including the Liberty and the RAV4). I enjoy driving it and it works great on the snow in 4 wheel drive! I would recommend it to others who are looking for a decent priced 4 wheel drive SUV.

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  Great value for the money - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By vasu m - May 2 - 4:36 am

  Everything in my Suzuki Aerio seem to be of good quality for a vehicle in this price range, including the audio. The dash plastics seem to have been upgraded in the 2006 model to be semi-soft. The tires pick up a bit of road noise - probably replacements will help. It is a bit narrow compared to its peers (especially the MINI Cooper and Scion Xa) and the track is actually less than the width. Thus the Scion and Cooper exhibit a bit less roll and slightly better handling, but the engine and wealth of features make the Aerio a much better choice in its class.

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  A lot of car for the money - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By john - April 29 - 12:23 am

  good more than basic transportation.Comfortable interior with a really good sound system. A nice riding car for its size it does have 4 wheel independant suspension. It seems hard to grow tired sitting in this car on long drives. One nice feature is that the car comes complete no options other than auto or manual trans. My dealership was a very pleasant no hassle dealer.It could use more power on long grades (126 hp) and the fuel economy is alittle short on what I hoped for averaging about 23 mpg with mixed driving. I was very surprized at how many people approached me to tell me how much they really liked the way it looks. Insurance was also cheaper ( no one steals suzukis I guess

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  Hats of to Suzuki! - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By dalemccarty_17 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I had my car for a little under a month now and I still like it. The only problem that I have had with it was a flat tire at the dealership, that has nothing to do with the cars reliability, tires go flat on every vehicle out there. It is a good first time car, my first car, (when I was in 10 grade) was a 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 4dr. I DO NOT recomend this truck, it was sopposed to have 4x4, ABS, and electric windows, guess what, the 4x4 never locked in, the ABS didnt work (I had some close calls that would have not be close if i had ABS), and the windows would slowly go down, and not go up.