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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  My Aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Yvonne08 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my little Aerio. At first, when i saw the car i was hesitant, but as soon as I got inside and saw all the cute original features that the car has, I fell in love. Ive had my car now for four months and Im so happy. I hope it lasts a long time with me. =)

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  Wonderful Wagon - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By L.Mendez - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car, so far so good.

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  Mutiple trips to the dealer - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Therese - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I wanted to buy a vehicle that has a lot of style/ comfort and reliabilty and a good warranty so I chose the Forenza. I purchased this car last Saturday and am happy with all but one aspect of the car...it pulls to the right regardless if Im accelerating or driving at a normal speed. I have made 3 trips to the dealer since buying this vehicle and have been told that this may be NORMAL for this car by the service dept. There is no way it is normal to drive off the road! I have also been told that the hard pull to the right when I accelerate is due to the torque steer/pull. That it is normal for it to due this.

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  Id like it to last forever - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By dotteddancer - March 8 - 7:06 pm

  My daughter bought the 2001 Suzuki Esteem Wagon in 2004 to drive between college and student teaching. It had 60,000 miles on it. When she graduated I bought it from her to drive to work with 90,000 miles. I have driven it now 5 years and it has 212,000 miles. So far there have been no major repairs required. My husband finds it uncomfortable but I dont have any problems driving it. It is low to the ground and tends to catch flying rocks on the windshield that a taller vehicle would have hit the grill. It averages 30-31 MPG highway, which is the majority of my driving. I would like cruise control. The biggest problem has been an oil leak at the head gasket and the CD doesnt work.

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  great car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Miroslav Spajic - March 2 - 4:23 pm

  Great car for the money

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  forenza sedan "S" - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Jean - February 28 - 5:40 am

  This car has so many features I doubt I could list all of them. With the automatic transmission it a takes off really fast with a sufficent amount of pedal pressure, but then it seems to shift to low in order to keep the same acceleration. Other than that its a great car. It has alot of cabin room, great looking interior, and a sleek looking exterior! Everything is automated like windows, gass cap, mirrors (heated) trunk...etc. Seats are manual and uncomfortable. Has driver/passenger, and side airbags. I like the 15" wheels with P195\55R15 Kumho touring tires. Also has very stylish high intensity headlights. 2 cooling fans on radiator. Has 4 wheel disc brakes. Its a great car for the $.

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  Annoying Buy - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Justin - February 27 - 1:16 pm

  This car has proven to be a poor choice. Although it has nice styling both on the outside and inside, the constant miniscule problems I have had for the past 4 years have all but driven me crazy. There have been few major problems, except just last week I got it out of the dealership shop for a tapping noise. Thank God for the 100,000 mile warranty, because Suzuki just replaced the entire head, no questions, and it didnt cost me a cent. It continues to be reliable, but I will not purchase another Suzuki.

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  A very good buy in more ways then one! - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Nadia Adams - February 26 - 6:56 am

  My husband and I are Jeep lovers, when we met we both had Suzuki Samaris. We spent the last 2 years looking for the best vehicle to upgrade with. But after our son came along we were even more anxious on finding a dependable and secure Jeep to transport our bundle of joy. We stubbled across a pearl white XL7, after the test drive we were sold not to mention that it was in great condition and had low mileage. It looks good but when we have family outtings & picnics it accomdates everything from bodies to bags! My husband has even taken the Jeep filled with friends on an island tour of our country Barbados and every passenger was so comfortable during the ride they feel at intervals!

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  Suzuki now has a good reputation - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By cdang - February 25 - 8:30 pm

  I have driven many SUVs and cars in my life, and Im 18. This SUV is among the best small SUVs available out in the market. For the price and standard options (most would be options on other automakers), this is the most affordable Japanese vehicle. I own an 07 Toyota Highlander as well, and compared with engine, this SUV isnt the best. Highlander, which is bigger in size has a larger engine, more horsepower and better fuel estimates (based on my driving) than the Vitara. The engine on this SUV is good for the size of the vehicle, but is a gas guzzler. The engine is quite loud. But everything else is very good.For what I paid, it is a true bargain.

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  2004 Suzuki Aerio SX - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Vinnie Torioalleo - February 25 - 4:46 am

  Very, very quick but needs better suspension. Theres a lot of noise in the cabin area. Brakes are very, very, very noisy. Everything else about the car is great, buy one or youll have to get an sx4 because this fast and furious baby as been discontinued.