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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  $4500 in repair bills in three years - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Bill D. - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I just put on the fourth set of tires in three and a half years. Just spent $1400 on struts and alignment. Door handles broke off at 50K miles. Power steering pump went out at 70k miles. I have spent enough on repairs to buy a new car, and I am still paying on this one. This $11,000 car is now a $16,000 car. I will never buy another Suzuki product of any type.

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  First 10 days of ownership - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Jerry R - February 12 - 4:43 pm

  It is now March 1, 2010 and I purchased a Suzuki Kizashi SLS on February 20 with every option except the GPS. WeÂ’ve driven the car 433 miles sense we picked it up. My automobile reference point was a 2000 Cadillac Eldorado that we had owned from new. The Cadillac had a 300hp V8 but under normal city driving the Kizashi performs very well as compared. For the first 300 = miles we are recording 20.0 mpg on 87 octane fuel. The car rides very compatible to my series 6 BMW but not as soft as the Cadillac. The highway noise level is about the same as the BMW.

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  Reliable car with great features - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By scott morgan - February 9 - 12:43 pm

  I bought my awd aerio brand new with 49 miles. It was loaded with climate control and ABS, I paid $15,000 for it. At first I had a minor hiccup with balding tires (tires went bald after 14,000 miles! dealer fixed it with alignment or something and its been golden since). This was my first new car and I am so glad I bought it. I have treated it well and changed the oil every 3,000 and got a tune up(spark plugs and stuff) at 100,000. I have went through some brakes and a few tire changes. The car has 140,000 miles on it and will be 6 years old next month. The car is great in the winter and I hope to get another 3-5 years out of the car.

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  Excellent Vehicle except for gas mileage - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By schnack72 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I was a skeptic of buying foreign vehicles, but the Suzuki XL-7 has won me over. This vehicle is fun to drive, handles well and is very reliable.

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  Excellent - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Fred - February 8 - 1:43 am

  A very nice car im suprised it didnt sell as much as corolla and other cars in class. It fits big rims plenty power a all around fun car.

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  Unhappy - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By Unhappy 1 - February 7 - 8:26 pm

  In the shop more than on the road. American Suzuki does not back their vehicle. Too many problems, much more concerning than just loss of power and loses value faster than any car I have ever owned.

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  My new Suzuki - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Theresa - February 6 - 3:26 am

  I went from an SUV to the Aerio and am in love with it, especially with the gas milage! It has great pickup plus it is easy and fun to drive. Its only been just under a month that I have been driving this car and so far so good.

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  Will buy another - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By nw - February 1 - 4:03 pm

  Bought new- after I "got to know" the vehicle I really like it-- its made several long trips-- Ive only changed the oil and replaced tires and a couple of headlights-approching 100,000 miles in a week or so-- when its time to replace I will buy another- it looks ok too-- Wish it were rated as a safe vehicle- Thats somewhat of a concern- but all in all very well pleased.

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  Good Cute car - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By ArkMon - February 1 - 10:00 am

  For a subcompact car, this is a great one. We specifically sought a new Suzuki Esteem because it was the end of the model year, the last year of the Esteem. We figured we could strike a deal on one that a dealer wanted to move off the lot. We ended up finding a great deal on a used one, instead. We love this car, and I think of it as a little Subaru. While somewhat conservative, it stands out from others in its class. As a small 4 cylinder, I expect some noise, but once up to cruising speed, its suprisingly smooth and quiet. Extra space of the wagon makes it feel not-so-small. I reccomend it to anyone searching for cars in the category.

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  Great car, feels expensive - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By jim - February 1 - 2:36 am

  Driving off the lot, I could not believe that I had gotten such a cheap deal on a car that drives like a BMW. And Ive had BMWs. The interior is excellent, every time you take the time to look around it, it feels like youre in a car thats worth at least 20K more. The exterior is excellent as well, its a lot like the Lexus IS but has a bit more curves. I really believe once you get in this car, youll be sold. The problem with Suzuki is that not a lot of people know it, but its really a well kept secret worth discovering. The only negative thing about this car is the uncertainty of reliability, it looks like it will be a great car as its solidly built. The 10 year warranty is comfort