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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  Very good - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Jim Gunning - August 1 - 4:33 am

  The Suzuki Aerio is a very good small car. It gets 27 mpg average on highways and 24 mpg city.

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  My Third One - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By WOldaker - July 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the 3rd 4wd Suzuki I have owned. irst was a Samauri,then Side Kick. and the last one the Vitara. After owning the "dangerous" Samuari :=) I knew I would probabably never drive anther brand though would opt for more comforts. It was time for my wife to get a new vehicle so she ended up with the Vitara. My Sidekick only has 170000 miles and is not ready to go yet. My wife teaches at 2 colleges 50+ miles from each other and I wanted to have a reliable, durable and safe vehicle for her in any weather or situation. That sums up the Suzuki Vitara.

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  I Love It - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By trajtman - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I just got my new SUV, a Suzuki Grand Vitara and i really like it. I just wish that I could have afforded the 4WD one, but I love mine.

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  2006 Suzuki Reno - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By dora5 - July 17 - 7:40 am

  I purchased my car in 2011 at 48,000 miles, and the biggest problem is that it isnt good on gas. Also, I was told by a mechanic at a a Goodyear Service Center two days ago that I might need struts, rack and pinion work and rods!!! Even though the car was given a clean bill of health just six months ago, and only has 52,000 miles on it. Today, I went to the Suzuki authorized service center and they said I dont need anything but an alignment and new wipers. They thought the struts where getting dry, but not a problem. Seems to me Goodyear wanted to make a little money. To be safe, I am taking it to a third shop just in case. Luckily, I purchased an extended warranty.

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  I like mine. - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By brian171 - July 10 - 2:33 pm

  I bought my 2008 Suzuki Forenza last October with 30,400 miles on the odometer. My car has the 2.0 liter 4cyl and 5 speed manual transmission. I use the car daily for a 33 mile commute. I am pleased with the gas mileage I get. I am averaging 29-30 mpg and my commute is includes mixed city/country driving. The car now has about 36,800 miles. A few things have required repair - two new rear struts, new drive belt on the engine and new valve gasket on the engine. All of these items were repaired at no cost to me under the warranty.

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  Suzuki...Oh~oh oh oh...what a Feeling!?! - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By GregOgh - July 2 - 12:13 pm

  I was enamored with the vehicle but now that Ive driven it a month in different conditions/road surfaces, Ive feel that I overlooked a few things during the purchase phase. The seats are physically hard to get comfortable in. Theyre designed/built for an anthropometric model of a 55" person. Leg room in cockpit seat is cumbersome and your legs go numb on trips lasting 3-4 hours. Controls for the stereo and cruise control on the steering wheel are also awkward to use when not looking directly at them. Theyre not lighted for nighttime operation... Extremely annoying. The stereos tinny and rattles when the bass is on 0 & volume on 15. The cloth seats are minimal~go with leather! Good luck.

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  Good car for the buck - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By mmb - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Owned it now for about 6 months. Great looks, nicely appointed. Disappointed in overall mpg at about 21. For the money, seems to be a good value. The 2004s are being sold for around 18k after rebate where I live.

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  The Beast with Faults - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By geneo - June 26 - 11:43 am

  The Engine will pass most anything in and out of its class [I used to own an audi turbo] at the front end it has a hesitation. The suspension is too soft and will need to be replaced too soon [100k]. The electrical/indicator system is not the best[my check engine light has been on and off for over 100k and my millage has not changed since day one, and the dealers cannot give me a ration explanation. Car has 150k miles and stops on a dime and has bailed me out of several nasty braking situations!

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  Our Suzuki - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By del rogers - June 26 - 4:36 am

  The car handles great for a car of its type. Its looks are great especially in black. The interior is way better than the Aerios lint trap. The lighting resembles that of Lexus and Mercedes. I did have a few problems such as the ssps going out shortly after I bought it, and had it repaired three times. The headlights also went out completely. I have also put four headlights in the car in the last year. The center console / armrest really bugs the heck out of me though. I eventually broke the plastic latch, it has been bent both ways from getting in and out of the car and putting weight on it (imagine that, putting weight on an armrest). The stereo is OK and the headlights dim when you push the brakes.

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  Surprising Value - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Dustin Huston - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased the XL-7 for my wife who wanted a SUV with 4WD. Really nice to haul the kid(s) around. Looks great. The interior in on the Touring edition could use some upgrades, but the Limited is great. I wouldnt want to haul 7 adults in it, but 4 adults and a couple of kids is no problem.