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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  We love our Vitara - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By reno - April 10 - 12:33 am

  For the money, this car is well-equipped and runs great. We live in snow country and put four Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires on the vehicle, it is unstoppable.

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  Tight as a drum - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By dcote - April 9 - 11:30 am

  I like everything except, my key fob does not make a sound when I lock/unlock the door (just a click), the sticker says I have 7 speakers but I can only find four. The avg. MPG only says 16.1 mpg... this seems low, I hope the meter is just inaccurate.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By blu5092 - April 9 - 8:30 am

  I have this car less than a year and have no issues so far. It is comfortable, quick and good on gas. If you floor it, only then do you suffer poor gas mileage. Sometimes I cant help it since I am so impressed by this small motor. For a 2.0 this car is very fast. For anyone who doesnt want to hurt their wallet, this car beats any toyota thats similar in size.

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  I LOVE MY AERIO SX - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By PAUL CHESNEY - April 8 - 2:00 am

  GREAT BUY MY OTHER CAR IS A 1994 FLEETWOOD WITH A LT1 CORVETTE MOTER AND I WILL HAVE TO TELL YOU MY AERIO IS A BLAST TO DRIVE ITS SO HARD TO BELEIVE HOW THEY MADE SO MUCH ROOM INSIDE OF THIS LITTLE CAR LOTS OF SMALL STORAGE PLACES. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REALLY NEAT LITTLE CAR WITH A GREAT COMFORT RIDE AND DRIVE TEST DRIVE AN AERIO SX BEFORE YOU BUY

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  Excellent vehicle - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tuesday - April 7 - 10:00 pm

  This was our first time buying a new vehicle and we are very pleased with the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. It is very reliable, comfortable, and stylish! I would suggest buying this vehicle to anyone who will be traveling a lot with a child and dog.

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  Recent buy....Loving it so far - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By KR - April 5 - 8:43 pm

  Loving the Suzuki Crossover so far. Got the loaded Touring trim. Lots and lots of extras for the money. CAN NOT beat the features for the money. Nav, heated seats and mirrors, keyless entry and start. Great safety features...insureance only went up $12/yr. Drives and handles great. Biggest for us, was the AWD. Cant wait to drive it around during a Maine winter. Weve owned Toyota, Mitsu, VW, Dodge, Pontiac. We believe we got the best value for the money, by far, this time around. We also love that everyone else isnt driving one. Well see how it holds up. If it does well for a while, we plan to return for a Suzuki purchase for our other vehicle...the Equator truck to replace a Durango.

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  Will spend alot of time at the shop! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By tbarlow2 - April 5 - 8:20 am

  My girlfriend purchased a 2008 SX4 new. She drives to and from work. She had it a little over 3 years and only 20,000 miles. Since its over 3 years, now out of warranty. The a/c just went out and now going to cost over $1000 to fix it. Asked service advisor at dealership if this means we will have to pay over $1000 every 20k miles and said he did not know! Im trying to talk my girlfriend into trading it in for another brand that will hold up.

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  4x2 Suzuki Extreme machine - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By shawn stevens - April 4 - 3:46 pm

  my experience from the first test drive was wow! nice quality interior fully loaded options, leather, bluetooth, sunroof, roof racks, 7 speaker system 18" alloy tire and rims, fog lights, and many options above and beyond the other SUV market, I did test the others for a 3 month period before making my final thought / purchase. the ride is smooth and the seats can accommodate my 60 frame comfortably and acceleration from the V6 is brisk and a broad power range with great smooth shifting from the 5 speed automatic transmission.

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  How to Pick a Lemon - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Wratchet - April 3 - 4:26 am

  The car was great-at first. It ran clean, and was not so quick but picked up fast. Though I kept the car in great condition, oil changes on time, here I am not even two years later finding problems with the transmission that no mechanic can seem to fix. I used to love the car until it started to experience shifting problems-in an AUTOMATIC! This is very disappointing to say the least.

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  Give it a chance! XL7 may work for you. - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By unsolctedadviz - April 2 - 1:01 pm

  We got a great deal on 06 XL7 in 2010 with 37K miles as a 00 200K Honda Odyssey replacement. Wanted another, but Toyotas/Hondas too pricey even with 100K. The XL7 sounds and drives like a truck--worse than a car or minivan. Poor acceleration and gas mileage, averaging a paltry 17 city, 20 hwy. But so far, it has been bulletproof in terms of reliability at 72K miles. No problems whatsoever. With kids 11, 8, 7, we can still shoehorn 1-2 of them in the fold-down 3rd row. Long trips we flip down 1 side of 3rd row and take plenty of luggage. Vehicle is horrible in snow. 2-whl drive was a big mistake. Needs quality snow tires in winter. Buy a 4x4. Missing minivan, but XL7 is next best..