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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  Verona experience - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By verona buyer - January 29 - 2:30 am

  This vehicle is better than all the reviews I have read about. The handling does not seem sloppy and my car has side impact bags in the front seats. I love the interior, especially the casette player and the audio controls on the steering wheel. The headroom is good and the seats are comfortable. I like this car. Those are the pluses, now for the minuses. The windshield wipers dont seem to have a fast speed and the headlights are weak.

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  SUV wannabe, well worth the title - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By Jonny Matrix - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I was very skeptical about this vehicle at first. I am a frequent traveller, and being in the military, its understandable that a vehicle with storage capacitys needed. Having had an Isuzu Rodeo with a 4 cyl engine, I experienced that the vehicle was too heavy for its engine. I also needed something with a decent fuel economy. Having have had a brand new Vitara for about a month now, and putting on 2800 miles, its proven to me more than worthy. It is definitely one good way to start in an SUV, and I should have done so sooner.

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  suzuki xl 7 - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By cpoyanks16 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  i am 58 years old. i have had chevys, fords, buicks, oldsmobile and cadillacs, this is my most enjoyable car ever. it has 2 and 4 wheel drive. is great in the snow as well as the heat. just is a great car for the money.

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  Clarity from Reading Customer Reviews - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By rie_2011 - January 19 - 11:11 pm

  Im trying to recover from being layed off for almost 3yrs. The last car I had was dying. Finally just got a new job. I bought my 07 Forenza Sept 2011 from Carmax. reading all the above comments help me accept that I financed a POS. not even 60days yet and already the alternator and transmission sensor has been replaced. Carmax is refusing to let me add the warranty on now; saying I passed up my chance at signing. so Im going to continue being screwed over royally with this POS until I can get something better.

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  Excellent in this price - 2001 Suzuki Vitara
  By Chih-Hao - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Everything in this SUV is doing its job pretty well. The price is relatively cheaper. Easy to control. Beautiful exterier.

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  Excellent Car - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By N.H. - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Just got the car in September. It is a very nice looking car with good build. It has a powerful engine for a car of its size. It handles well and allows for very comfortable and exciting ride. Good amount of space available when needed. Nice hidden compartments to put away little things under the passengers seen and in the back. It has a modern look to it from the outside and the inside while still feeling like a good sold quality build unit. Nice numeric dash, exact numbers and clear (very clear) even when the sun is shining directly one it. A lot of room is available for the legs in the front and the back seets.

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  ... - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By D - January 12 - 1:26 pm

  I bought this car new over 2 years ago, have 61K miles on it. its a base model with a manual trans. only problem i have had was bent rims, and check engine light for throttle sensor (unplugged and replugged sensor and was fixed). I get 28-30 MPG on average. I havent had any real troubles, dont have any real complaints on my car except for dealers (all suzuki dealers are nightmares) the interior is not great but havent had anything brake, transmission isnt great but dose its job just fine. never had an engine problem, or any of the problems most other people seem to have and i tend to abuse my car.

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  08 SX4 Crossover... Lemons, cheap but expensive to fix - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By kestral - January 12 - 3:30 am

  Great until about 35k. Both rear wheel bearings replaced. Both front struts broke in half. Right front stabilizer bar broke. Car still makes a weird clunk when turning and rattles when it goes over bumps. Dealership is horrible for warranty. The passenger air bag light says off when passenger is in seat with seat belt on. Dealership unpluged battery and said all is well, I get 20 miles down the road and it does the same thing. Very unsafe vehicles. Road bumps will throw car around. Good luck going thru snow. Doesnt even handle 4". All around poor vehicle. No more Suzuki for me.

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  Best price/quality ratio in its class - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By yurets - January 9 - 10:00 am

  roomy enough, peppy enough, surprisingly good cornering and breaking, not really noisy for 4 cyl. car

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  Overall good - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Jon - January 8 - 6:10 pm

  I have a 2.5 mile commute and get 21 mpg overall. Handled great in the snow this winter. 3600 miles on it so far and working good. I had to replace one tire for a nail in the side wall and that cost $138 with taxes and fees.