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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  Quality and Reliability BUST - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By JoT - May 26 - 10:23 pm

  I fell in like with this car when I saw it on the lot, and in love when I saw the price tag. Unfortunately, all appearances were deceiving. This car has been a lemon since week one. I started taking the car to the Suzuki dealership myself after the the dealer I purchased it from demonstrated that they couldnt get a power outlet fuze replaced under the Suzuki warranty in less than two weeks. I have spent cummulative weeks at the nearest Suzuki dealership, having oxy-sensors replaced, the ECU reprogrammed multiple times, the ignition lock, the wheel lock, and many, many smaller random sensors replaced. Then the bumper-to- bumper warranty ran out and Im stuck in a lemon.

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  Keep the Gas Stations in view - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steve - May 5 - 9:40 pm

  Nice package with all the LX or EX models. In a real city , Chicago, with the 4 speed auto trans, keep your wallet and gas stations in view. Gas mileage miserable at 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. This is a real shame for otherwise a nice vehicle and what could have been an excellent value. Forenza Wagon LX with 4 speed auto and 4 wheel abs.

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  Keep the Gas Stations in view - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Steve - May 5 - 6:20 pm

  Nice package with all the LX or EX models. In a real city , Chicago, with the 4 speed auto trans, keep your wallet and gas stations in view. Gas mileage miserable at 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. This is a real shame for otherwise a nice vehicle and what could have been an excellent value. Forenza Wagon LX with 4 speed auto and 4 wheel abs.

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  Good SUV But Needs Some Refinement - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Samuel B - May 4 - 11:10 pm

  As one previous reviewer noted, the Suzuki XL7 is one of the best kept secrets in SUVs. I purchased mine fully loaded for almost $5K less than the sticker price. It is a very comfortable car to drive and hasnt given me any problems yet, but the engine is only adequate and gas mileage is poor. Some of the features on the XL7 leave a lot to be desired as well. You need an engineering degree to figure out how to fold down the center seat, and the steering wheel mounted auio controls are so inconvenient that its easier to reach over to the radio.

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  Lots of engine noise, very low power - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Bill Pearson - April 26 - 6:13 am

  Severly lacking in power. Lousy gas milage for a car of this size. My 2001 Lincoln Town Car gets as good or better gas milage in town & on the hwy. This car is somewhat unstable on the road. It gets blown around by trucks. Seems to veer a little for no apparent reason. Pulls to right on initial acceleration. No longer own this pigeon.

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  Good car till you need a repair!!!!! - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By shankus74 - March 12 - 9:25 pm

  Beside changing tires and brakes the other repairs are laborious!!! Try to replace a ball joint, all the bolts are rusted and you need to replace them all!a job of 30 min takes 4 hours in labor. wait and youll see those major flaws!!

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  Great little car - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Bkent - December 27 - 1:56 pm

  My only complaint about the car so far is its handling and turning ability at high speeds.

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  So far, so good. - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By wfalone - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I use this car for work in the city. It is comfortable, quiet, and well assembled. Not particularly peppy (automatic). Visiblity is good. Nice size, great manuverability. Fine climate controls. Real bad back seat leg room if you have two adults in the front seats. My biggest gripe is that I cannot seem to exceed 20 mpg city/ 23 mpg hiway (no matter how gently I drive).

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  Call This a "Bug"gy - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By knoxvilledavid - December 17 - 6:10 am

  The Reno is a great car if you like getting 20 mpg around town, and cranking the engine multiple times to get her started. I had to crank my 06 two dozen times once trying to go home from work for an appointment. Add to that several trips for service every few days for nine months while Suzukis "engineers" worked out a "fix." The "fix" should have been to give me a full refund of my money!

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  Only gas saves this car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By M - December 5 - 6:06 pm

  This owner not satisfied with his purchase at all. At best the car is mediocre. Great gas mileage and a decent stock stereo makes this car tolerable.