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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  #1 Car in its Class in the in US, Hands Down - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Geni - September 10 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this car having had great experiences with Suzuki in the past. I was the owner of a 1986 Forsa in Puerto Rico until 2005. The three cylinder wagon was all I payed for it. This new Forenza is just as good. It is as fast as any Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan and it is economically super. I have so much fun driving it, too bad its so under rated. Its worth every buck I payed for it.

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  The Grodzuki - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By PetShpBoy - September 5 - 3:53 pm

  I wanted a small SUV - I test drove a CR-V but the seats were awful. I liked the looks of the Vitara (by the way I agree with the previous person, the worst part of this vehicle is the name - anything would be better). The vehicle is very comfortable and peppy. I has tons of standard equipment. I ended up trading my Toyota Tacoma for the Suzuki, until this point I had only bought Toyotas. So far I am ecstatic with my decision. I recently took a trip from Central PA to the Gulf Coast area traveling almost all of I-81. The vehcle was very comfortable. I got 23.5 mpg going down and got a little over 26 mpg coming back. My sister-in-law looked at it and traded her RAV4 for one a week later. WATCH OUT TOYOTA!

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  Excellent AWD economy car - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By cmquimby - September 1 - 2:03 am

  I have owned my Aerio LX AWD for about 8 months. It gets great gas mileage, I average about 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The climate control works perfectly. The six disc in-dash Clarion CD changer and seven speaker stereo (including subwoofer) make up a high end system for such an inexpensive car. The Aerio has decent power (155 hp), but I do wish that they offered the AWD version with a manual transmission. Dry weather handling is very good, I have improved the handling of mine with a larger than stock rear swaybar.

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  Best Damn Little SUV on the Road - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Bill M. - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Our Suzuki Grand Vatara has never had a warranty claim. Tires and brakes are the only extra maintance given to this Bullet Proof little Bulldog other than normal checks. My wife wanted a 4 door, Suv, Straight Stick sports car with a sun roof and Leather. She said, "No sidewinders please." The CV joints on her old Honda cost$750.00 replace, no more of that.

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  Cant get more for your dollar - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Doc Luigi - August 28 - 10:00 am

  From the styling to interior comfort, its been a real joy to own. It would be hard to find more for the price paid, and Im very happy driving it!

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  Good value, exactly what I expected - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By brian - August 25 - 8:26 pm

  This has been a good car, mostly short range commuting first few years now my college kid son has it and puts few hwy miles on it. Excellent fuel economy, sporty ride and looks. Had to put a new clutch in at 53k. Possibly due to some student drivers learning to drive a manual trans. The wobbly side mirrors are a recall item I have not got to yet. CD player has a disc stuck in it, outside temp light is burned out... minor things that can go after many years of good service. Never let me down mechanically. As is probably the norm, wife gets the nice ride, kids get the safe, dependable ride.

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  EXXXXXXCELENT - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tom - August 17 - 11:13 pm

  Suzukis engineers have outdone themselves. The quality of craftmanship and the feel of my Grand Vitaras interior are ten times beter than that of Toyota or Honda. You will not be dissapointed with this vehicle. Its great inside out. If you are considering a small or medium size SUV you should definitely take a look at the new Grand Vitara.

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  Love the Vehicle - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Arnold Goodman - August 13 - 7:33 am

  Looks like an SUV yet drives like a car. Handles well in local traffic and on long rides. Driven to New York and back it was a pleasure. Opened the moon roof listened to the XM radio time, flew by. Height is great for seeing on the road, not too big so parking and maneuvering is great. People comment about the looks of the vehicle.

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  This is the #1 SUV, it rocks. - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By Johnny - August 7 - 5:20 am

  I previously had a 2002 XL-7 in Puerto Rico. It was perfect. This new model is just as good. It is highly underrated. It is at a level equal or above Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia and all the other Japanese, American and European brands. It is reliable, sturdy, extremely safe and economical.

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  I love this car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Heather - August 3 - 5:46 am

  I love this car. I bought it new in 2005, I saw it on the delivery truck and told the salesman that was the one I wanted. Most people say that was a gamble but I know how great Suzukis are. I also had a Suzuki Swift that has over 200,000 miles on it and has only had to have oil changes brake pads and such. I tell everyone buy Suzuki.