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:

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By tikirob - December 1 - 2:06 pm

  This car has been great. The ride is quite an smooth and the build quility is high. The seats are very comfortable.

• 

  I Like Mine - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By 60 year old man - December 1 - 1:46 am

  I got a copper colored one. I really like mine so far. I think it looks good. The price is great for what you get. I love driving mine. I went from a full size SUV to a midsize SUV to this. I like this the best of the three. It is not a $30,000 vehicle so dont expect it to be. It handles nicely, sits comfortably, gets decent gas mileage. I like the warranty (as long as dealer stays around). I am over 6 feet tall and large framed and I feel comfortable driving it. Has plenty of headroom and legroom. View from drivers seat appears much larger than it is. Appears to be well built. My daughter had an early model Suzuki and drove it HARD. It just kept going and going.

• 

  A great overlooked runabout - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Ev - November 26 - 6:36 am

  Its easy to miss the Suzuki Reno. It is overshadowed by the heavily promoted Scions, Toyotas and Hondas, little Suzuki is well, little known. I hadnt heard of the Reno until I saw one at the auto show, and was immediatly drawn to it. After an hour of test driving it, the Reno sits in front of my apartment. Aside from the obsurity of the car, what really sets the Reno apart is the amazing level of standard equipmet. My base model came with side airbags, power windows, locks and mirrors, steering assist, 8 speaker am/fm/cd/tape, and of course the European insired hatch design. My only complaint is the gas mileage is not up to the standards of the class (see Honda Fit, Scion xA, etc).

• 

  Better Than ALL the rest - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By soul_ride68 - November 24 - 6:10 pm

  My wife bought the Fit in October and my nephew bought the Versa two weeks later so I have plenty to compare with. Both of them regret not buying the Suzuki SX4. With the warranty and the standard features included with this vehicle, their vehicles dont even come close in comparison. They both agree that paying for the name (Nissan & Honda) isnt what a savvy buyer should do if there is a manufacturer building a better car out there for less money. I would recommend this car to anyone!

• 

  Liked my Elantra, LOVE this car. - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By 5spdlvr - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I am so happy with my Aerio. I had doubts having never owned a Suzuki, but Im glad I took a chance. I am baffled by Edmunds reviews, which are, in large part, luke-warm. But I read other great reviews and test drove it anyway. I traded my 02 Elantra for my Aerio. The Elantra,it was comfortable, a good value and performer. But the Aerio has more personality, HP and better safety scores. As for the handling being "sloppy"....not so, it does lean a lil more at times than the Elantra (taller profile) but it grips the road as well. The steering feel is similar.... nimble with being too light. Getting in and out of the Aerio is easier too

• 

  WOW - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By My Buggy - November 22 - 4:56 am

  This is my second Grand Vitata. I bought a used 99 model and drove it for four years, then my husband thought I should be driving a used Volvo XC70. In four months I was back in a new Grand Vitara. I called the first one my buggy. I now have Buggy Jr. I wonder if it had a more catchy name, it might have better sales (like Spirit or Sprint). Oh well, Im very pleased with my new buggy. My husband found the 99 scrunchy but hes more comfortable in the 06 model. I was looking at Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 but they were too much money for same features as Grand Vitara. I consider myself a smart shopper and the Grand Vitara is a greeat buy!

• 

  I love this car!! - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By christinaBee - November 15 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I thought it was a hatchback and so did my teenage daughter. She was surprised to find out it is a wagon. It is still "cool" enough for her to drive.

• 

  Drive for a living - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Stacey - November 13 - 5:53 pm

  I drive for a living 300 miles a day in my forenza. Yes I had to change the selt belt but that was free. Other then normal required maintance; my car has been perfect. Gas mileage is great for the size of the car since I fill up the tank everyday. Although the tires come in one size; you can actually have one size bigger put on and its been cheaper and has gotten better gas mileage. For someone who drives for a living; it has been a great vechile.

• 

  Just Fun and it is About Time! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By michael b. - November 8 - 10:26 pm

  This car is like a fun little James Bond car! It is always easy to drive and fun to get around in. Everything about this car is ergonomically correct. The design under the hood and inside the car are too cool!

• 

  2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Jimmy Cruz - November 8 - 8:40 pm

  I have been a Ford Rangers STX 2005 owner for 2+ years. My first Suzuki now the 2010 Grand Vitara. The new 2010 Grand Vitara is excellent to drive. Most of my miles are in rural and center of the island of Puerto Rico, to my business and from work and support driving for my supermarket and Sport Bar work. The Grand Vitara is very secure to drive. It gets around 22 to 23 mpg on the highway and around 21 around town. It is highway quite and all the features are very functional. All function through the radio speaker nice, the warranty is great for 7 year or 100,000 miles. Comfort is outstanding. Give this small SUV a second look before you have a decision to by a new SUV.