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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  Grand -Grand Vitara! - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Costas - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent all round use vehicle. Strong work horse. 30% of time pulls a 2 ton boat on trailer!

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  I love it! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By mic5000 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my new car. I dont know what the deal is whith consumer reports, car and driver, etc. I feel as though this car is solid and will last me the next 10 years. Suzuki, will you make a hybrid version please! That would make the car perfect (well, that plus different upholstry)!

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  Lasted 260K miles. - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By JofNoho - February 21 - 4:13 pm

  I averaged 50K miles a year since I bought this car brand new. No problems until I had to replace the lifters at 110K, not bad. Suzuki recommends timing belt replacement at 60K but I pushed it to 100K and then 200K. It ran great to 260K, it proved to be extremely reliable. There were a few electrical problems, the passengers air bag light came on pretty early on and the headlight switch shorted out at about 150k. Also, suzuki charges a lot for parts and the two mechanics I took it to knew nothing about these cars. Other than that, it was a surprisingly durable car that got me back and forth from work for almost 5 years.

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  XL7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Jen Conlin - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best ride Ive ever been in. I enjoy the fact that I feel like Im riding on air. I barely feel the bumps on the road, the engine is quiet and I enjoy the comfort that the vehicle provides.

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  Please Read before buying! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By ccmarie88 - February 18 - 11:03 am

  If I can help anyone about making a decision on buying this car I will feel at least a little bit better about owning it. I have had so many problems with this car in the last year. In the last 4 months I have replaced the serpentine belt, the ENTIRE throttle body ($600), and now the head gasket which thank god is covered by warranty! I took it back for two recalls (the headlights went out and the seat belts were replaced). Its sad how much time I spend in the Suzuki dealership with this car! Now I am stuck with this car and I dont know what to do because I am completely upside down! Do NOT buy!

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  Warranty not good enough - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Allen Holloway - February 15 - 3:53 pm

  I bought the car new in 05 and didnt have any trouble the first year. In the last 12 months, Ive replaced the exhaust system due to catalytic converter failure and the entire a/c system which isnt covered under the 100,000 mile warranty and cost me $2,000.00. I dont get the gas mileage that is advertised either. The ride is okay. A lot of extras come standard on this car such as power windows, cd player and tilt wheel. Overall Im satisfied with the car, I would like to see the 100,000 mile warranty cover everything.

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  not bad for the price - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By ana - February 14 - 10:26 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2004. it only had 3000 miles on it, so i got it at a good price with the warranty. it is a smooth ride, but it is slow on acceleration for a v6. It is roomy and stylish. I love the radio controls on the steering wheel and the full size spare. Unfortunately I have had to take the car in quite a bit. Since it is a new model, they have to get the kinks out. It is a little discouraging but the dealership is trying their best to fix the problems.

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  Durable little beast - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By Pete s. - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Well my 85 lincoln died so I walked across rte. 112 to the first dealership i saw and bought this little Esteem. The guys there helped me get financing because my credit sucked at the time. i havent regretted my impulse buy AT ALL> The esteems a great little car that I have beat the s^&* out of and took on several long trips ....knock on wood Ive had no trouble with it at all. It has some speed too.

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  Suzuki SX4 - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By thrylos - February 13 - 10:06 pm

  The Suzuki SX4 is a great 4WD vehicle. I traded in a Focus ZX3 for it. It feels much tighter than the Focus did. It has nice construction and ergonomics, and a nice airy cabin. It has responsive steering and good handling. It also has amazing options for the price. The seats are comfotable and the styling is great. It looks like a stretched Mini Cooper. Suzuki hit a home run with this car. There is no competition in this segment and at this price point, especially after taking the 7/100 warranty, the standard features, and the four wheel drive into account. Ths SX4 is a really nice tight daily commuter car that can manage tough weather easily.

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  Luv this car - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By TomD - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had the Kizashi for 4 months, and have 6000+ miles. The most comfortable car Ive ever driven and the quietest. Recent 3,000 mile trip averaged 30 mpg overall. It has plenty of pep, and handles hills well even in cruise control, and the transmission crosses the hills efficiently and quietly, unlike some cars Ive driven. Bought the car for my wife, and she loves the memory seats. I purchased the FWD for a bit better gas mileage. Lived in Buffalo 15 years and even there never needed 4 wheel. Happy that Suzuki made the FWD available.