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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  Piece of crap - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By lynn28 - November 12 - 12:10 am

  Omg, I have had nothing but problems with my car ever since I have owned it. Had the problem of it not starting then the passenger seat belt light coming on and I have gone threw tires with it left and right. I just found out my car needs front struts with only 60,000 miles on it what the heck?

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  The worst car ever! - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Jena - November 1 - 1:26 am

  I purchased my vehicle in 2007. I hate it. It only has 3,000. miles on it. My transmission is failing, the air bag light is on, and engine light is on too. I called Suzuki to help me. But I have to pay for everything to see whats wrong and most thing arent covered. It doesnt start always. I have 2 children and i am unemployed at this time. They told me that only interior thing are covered under warranty until 100,000 miles. The transmission is not shifting right and it jerks when it shifts. Gas not so good. I called corporate and they couldnt help me either. Not worth the money. Too many problems. And its not only me. What should I do.

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  Door Handles - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By L. Fago - September 30 - 6:46 pm

  We are also habing issues with the door handles, three of the four have broken off already. Our inside light does not work and our Air bag lights will come on weather some one is in the seat or not. I would NOT purchase a 2007 Suzuki Forenza.

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  Disappointment - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By Denny&Lorena - July 24 - 2:10 am

  Poor fuel milage for a car this size. Inherrant problems with tire wear and admitted problems with head gasket (loosing coolant)as pointed out by an authorized Suzuki service dept.

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  drive lights cause my car to catch on fire - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By mgay - July 23 - 6:39 am

  on my 2007 forenza the drive lights would not turn off. drove kids to basketball practice and smelled smoke look down and fire was down by my leg. the wire harness had melted and caught on fire!! now car want start. another motoris had to spray fire extinquisher into car to put out fire what a mess !!! but problem is recall for car is not honored what a ripoff!!! i can not keep tires on car thread wear is crazy and air conditioner blows but not cold even though it is full of freon do not buy this car !!!!!!!!!! please anybody know of a recall other than seat belts

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  Suzuki SX4 is a junk car - 2011 Suzuki SX4
  By will_c - June 10 - 2:51 am

  This is a disposable car, spend a little extra for a better car! Dont make my mistake. with less then 100,000 miles I went through 4 sets of brakes, inner tie-rod, water pump, rear wheel assembly, 2 Catalytic Converter, O2 sensor. Ive never gotten better then 25 mpg.

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  Biggest Mistake Yet - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Lacy - May 30 - 8:53 am

  In the short while that Ive owned this car, the airbag sensor has gone off---requiring the front passenger seat to be replaced. It now squeaks continuously if someone sits in it. The Keyless entry/start system seems to be questionable---I have now had to replace the key fobs twice because they do not recognize the car. There are 3 small cheap plastic coverings under the back seat---one of these fell off the other day. Apparently, the car I purchased is less than perfect. It only has 2,000 miles on it. Im so wishing I could get rid of it, but Im stuck with it for the time being. One certainly gets what one pays for.

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  Piece of Junk - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By matt - April 17 - 6:50 am

  My 07 Forenza only starts when it wants to, the check engine light comes on all the time, and it has a very bad trade in value! Say no to Suzuki!

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  scared to depend - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By marline - March 13 - 10:43 pm

  I bought this car so that I would be able to go home when I wanted to. 4 hour drive. Now Im afraid to go that far. Transmission sensor was just replaced today, still feel a small hiccup though. Not sure what that was. Tires were defective when I purchased the car, but the dealership says that theres nothing wrong with them. Started shaking at 60 mph a month ago I was informed that car was just out of line. I have to admit though, my dealership is awesome about getting it in and getting it fixed. I just Wonder when theyll get tired of it. Oh back door just started sticking as well. No one uses that door. Hmm! Does anyone else pay higher insurance because of the safety rating on this car.

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  not so good...do your research: recalls, reliability, parts - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By girlwithacar - March 7 - 8:21 pm

  You would be better off investing in a good, credible, affordable vehicle. Suzuki no longer makes cars; therefore, the parts are difficult to find and most of their car dealerships are few and far between (in other words, very few exist to service those with Suzuki cars.) I purchased a 2004 Suzuki Forenza in 2006, and it had about 20, 000 miles on it. It stopped working in June 2013 because it needed a new PCM ($1,230 to repair) and it had about 103,000 miles. However, between the time that I had it and the time that it died, the car had major issues with gasket, valve, oil, trans sensor. Also, it had at least 4 recalls on parts so be sure to do your research.