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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  A Genuine Mini 4-Wheeler - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By Army Veteran - September 5 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle has been a pleasant surprise in comparison with the Jeep Wrangler. Unlike some competitors it has a 4WD Hi/4WD Lo transfer case, and is based on a true "truck" body. It has less than half the turning radius of a Jeep Wrangler. The rack-and-pinion steering has a more precise feel. I also got the advertised 25 mpg mileage, which is 40% better than the Jeep. The torquy 16-valve DOHC 2 liter four breathes freely at top end. Too bad Jeep doesnt make this little 4-wheeler!

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  SUZUKI AERIO SX FUN - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By bevierose - September 1 - 10:00 am

  The Suzuki Aerio SX is more fun with comfort. I wanted a car where the seats went down in the back so that I could have room for plants, dog & more. It is roomy, great looking, very comfortable for my bad back & isnt too high like an SUV or a gas guzzler either! MPG is great; it looks hi-tech; it has everything inside you need; a great CD/radio sound quality. I owned luxury cars, but do not drive long distances anymore & wanted a car that is smooth driving, easy to handle and fun to drive. If youre looking for a good deal, happy motoring days ahead & savings, go for this baby! Many other cars like this are overpriced too.

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  Aerio Driver - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Cheese - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had the following issues: rattling noise under car (dealer sais noisy compressor and would not fix under warranty) Driver side door buzz with radio turned up. The rear wiper only goes fast. No slow speed.

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  2010 Base Model Grand Vitara - 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By usps_merc - August 7 - 3:25 pm

  After 3 mo. & 2,700 mi., theres nothing to change my impression that this is a quality vehicle. It drives well, fairly quiet/comfortable, & getting 26.5mpg. The manual is easy to shift. Plenty of room & the side opening rear door is no problem. Too bad the nearest dealership is over 40 miles but no problems at all. Bought as used leftover from former Suzuki dealer with under 100 mi. on odometer. They lost books & nav but it was a steal. I dont miss the options I dont have.

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  sub frame - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By 724joep - August 7 - 1:20 pm

  I have an 2001 suzuki esteem wagon bought in 2002 with 4500 miles. as of 10/20/09 it only has 35000 miles on it. Last week we were going to town and the front sub frame just rusted out and broke. Could have been very bad but we were going slow. I called American Suzuki in Ca. and they are looking into it. I hope they man up and help me get it fixed. I have owned Suzuki motorcycles all my life and this is the first car I hope to keep it a long time. So come on American Suzuki and help a guy out.

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  SX4 is a safe vehicle - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By talismanphl - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I have written before about my SX4 Sport sedan. It was totaled over a month ago when a brand new Chevy Impala rental car sideswiped it after the Chevy ran a red light, collided with cross traffic, and crashed into my car as I was crossing the intersection at about 40 mph. The Impala hit my SX4 in the rear drivers side door and ripped the left rear wheel off the Suzuki. The side impact airbags saved me from serious injury according to the police and the EMTs.

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  Fun Little SUV - 2004 Suzuki Vitara
  By Southmiamiman - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This little thing is so fun to drive. It can really maneuver well. The small size and the V6 really make this quicker than the numbers indicate.

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  Suzuki Has Really Improved - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By pastorbigc - July 30 - 6:13 pm

  I have driven in 2003, 2004, 2005 Grand Vitaras, but I got into the new body style and chassis and there were no comparison of how much better it rode. The power of the engine and the look inside and outside are extremely great. It has a little engine noise as you take off. Overall Im very pleased!

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  Great Town Car - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By Mario Branciforte - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Great little car for short trips around town. Can haul four people, or two people and a weeks worth of groceries. Would be a great starter car for a new driver, inexpensive to buy/operate.

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  2004 Suzuki Verona EX - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Stan Smith - July 27 - 10:06 am

  Im pretty pleased with the Suzuki Verona. Ive read the other reviews and I havent had the same number of problems as some of the reviewers. I have only had two problems. The first is that in the city and on the highway I only seem to get 19mpg. The second problem that Ive had is the car occasionally stalling out at red lights. Thats the reason that I decided to post a review. I took the car into the dealership and they told me that they couldnt reproduce the problem but it happend again on the way home. The good news is that I put STP Gas Treatment in the car the next time I filled up and the problem hasnt recurred in 3 months. I suspect it was bad gas or a dirty injector.