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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  Great Value, Reliable. - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By JJ - February 15 - 4:36 pm

  The Suzuki Verona is a great car for the money. I have not had a single mechanical problem since we bought it. It has slightly sluggish acceleration for passing and freeway merging, otherwise, I have no complaints. Yup, Id buy another one.

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  Great crossover for what you pay for - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By jayman2176 - February 14 - 9:40 pm

  This is kind of tricky since I owned a 28,000 dollar jetta before this car. It gets pretty good gas millage for have allwheel drive I get 28.1 though 29.0 mpg most of the time but not in winter winter I see about 20-24 mpg I live in Indiana so I see alot of snow. I love the room in this car with a wheel base of 98 I can sure fit alot of cargo with the seats down. I love the sound system I got the 9 speaker premium sound and it pretty good. Note though my jetta had a eight speaker sound system that sound just as good with better bass and had no subwoofer in it. Love the no key start now I hate using other peoples cars. Basically a good car for the 18 thousand.

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  Nothing Else is Better Than This - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Daewoo1 - February 10 - 1:56 pm

  I do not know what everyone is complaining about. My vehicle never stalled, never had a problem. Do the research - this was once a Daewoo and I had one of those as well, a Leganza that had no problems either. It was designed in Italy and has a German Volkswagen engine. Its on virtually the same platform as the Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS Series for less than $20,000.

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  SX4 Sedan - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By VirginiaBrewer - February 5 - 11:23 am

  The price is right. The warranty is right. This car handles, good power, comfort is excellent. For anyone who can drive a car the right way the fuel economy is excellent given the cars performance is really excellent. I average 31-32 at 70 to 80 mph. Wow. So for anyone complaining about mileage take that!

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  Different in Japan - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Pajero - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought mine in Japan from a friend who recently divorced and needed the cash. Only 2300 miles on it at the time. Great SUV with luxury Helly Hansen package, (not available in US). CD/MD 7-speaker stereo system is outstanding. I drive very steep and long hills to teach English at several locations weekly. The 2.7 V-6 handles the hills without breaking a sweat. Great Ride! I love it.

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  XL7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By RM1541 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I own a 1996 Ford Explores XLT, fully equipped (leather, sunroof etc.)I am very happy with it. I believe in brand loyalty, when you receive good service and value, and Ford has delivered for me. I didnt know Suzuki had a larger sized SUV. For a minute there I though it was a customer vehicle! The XL7 is a great value. I bought the Limited, 3 rows, leather seats, excellent sound system, sun roof etc. I looked around, feature by feature, and there was no better value for the price I paid. Ive got close to 8,000 miles on it and I have no complaints!

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  NO Regrets - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Rob and Family - January 17 - 11:53 am

  Never considered a Suzuki until I test drove a friends. Couldnt believe the ride & creature comforts. Suzuki bent over backwards to to give the most for your money. My wife & I were looking at Rav 4 & Highlander but to get it equipped the way the Suzuki was equipped wouldve bumped the price well up into the mid 30s. The choice of Suzuki was a no brainer.

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  my aerio - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By john - January 16 - 12:26 am

  Best quality auto have owned and ease of handling is superb definitely will look at Suzuki when buying in the far future the build is above everything else and is built to last years. Just needs a cruise control as the engine will get you way the speed limit if you dont monitor.

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  Great SUV, great looks , good power! - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By vago621 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this SUV for a month now and I absolutely love it. I like the way it looks and how people stare at it when im driving by! i owned a 4 cylinder car before, but when I drove the Grand Vitara What a difference! I look forward to driving it everyday. i do highway 5 days a week and it has nice passing power.I would recomend it to everybody.

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  This is the best car for the price!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By suiteseptember - January 6 - 10:00 am

  From the first time I saw the commercial for the 2002 Suzuki Aeroi, I knew that I had to have one! I have only had mine 4 days but I love it!