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 reliable car - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Amrit - October 10 - 6:13 am

  The 2005 Suzuki Xl-7 has a more modern design than the 03 or older. One of the reasons that I bought this car was because I also own a Suzuki Aerio in which I did not have any problems. I bought the XL-7 because the price is so much cheaper than a lot of other suvs out there on the road. The woodgrain on the dashboard adds a nice touch to the interior which is standard on every XL- 7 model. The car is easy and fun to drive. The third row seating comes very handy. Suzukis powertrain warranty (7 year/100,000 miles) makes you worry- free.

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  A Lot of Car for the Money - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By tim tschosik - October 7 - 6:13 pm

  The Suzuki SX4 is an excellent car. It is a great daily driver, good on gas, and has great responsiveness in the 0 to 40 range. Metro traffic here doesnt really let me get to 60 mph. Its very quiet for a small car. AWD at this price can not be found elsewhere.

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  Sharp peppy thing! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By ronman114 - September 30 - 1:18 am

  We just bought this car used with 19200 miles. It is in excellent shape and feels like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Shifting is smooth and easy. Love the looks of it inside and out. Features on dash well placed and everything very visible. I like the buttons on the steering wheel but would prefer they were lit for nighttime driving. 2WD and AWD selections are amazingly easy and SO handy in bad weather. Im sure this car handles better than those crossovers and pickups that dont have AWD. Love heated seats, higher driving position, huge windshield and heated side mirrors. So many perks for such a small price! Cons are:wish it had better fuel economy and the gas tank is too small.

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  Great Car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By MissPinUp - September 28 - 2:06 pm

  Ive had my Suzuki for 3 years so far. I havent had one problem with it. I get it serviced when it needs to, no problems. I get 34-37 mpg

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  Good car-but be ware quirks! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Morlock - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This has been a wonderful car for me...but not without its problems. Ive already had to return to the dealership several times for emissions issues, alignment problems, and most recently fuel difficultues. Despite the fact that I drive primarily highway miles, the car stubbornly refuses to get anything better than 18-19 mpg-- horrendous for a vehicle of this type (with an engine that only puts out 126hp)!!! I am seeking help from Suzuki in solving the problem because the dealership is stumped. The necessity of filling up the car after only 200 miles of driving is a major annoyance.

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  Finally an affordable 7 passenger SUV - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By mrandmrsj - September 27 - 2:00 am

  If you have a family with younger children , this is the SUV for you. You can seat 2 adults and 5 kids in this one. The leather seats (ex III 2wd) are a breeze to clean. Gas mileage is reasonable compared to other 7 passenger SUVs. Do not spend 30 or 40 thousand on a 7 passenger SUV/minivan without checking out the XL-7 first (especially if you have kids).

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  Underrated Commuter Superstar! - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Jamin - September 21 - 10:33 pm

  I work as a salesperson in the car business and I drive a variety of cars and trucks on a daily basis. Some are nicer, faster, bigger, and tow better than others. For me, this vehicle works. I work downtown and I needed a small, reliable commuter that was reasonable on gas but still fun to drive. This car delivers. I bought it with just over 40k miles on it and so far have had no problems. The flat torque curve of this engine allows it to pull even in 5 gear which is unusual for a car this size. I went with an 8 for reliability due to my short ownership. The car handles like a go-cart and winds up nicely. I paid 6k used (its a 2006)- (a deal a customer could have gotten) Value-wise-- 10!

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  Love it - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By dok - September 16 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! 155hp is more then enough. Lots of options, all wheel drive, 30 mpg, tons of room! Nice job Suzuki!

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  One of the best small car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Edi - September 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as a commuter car and very happy with it. I compared this car with Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic and for a couple thousand dollars less I got a car that come with standard accessories (i.e. pwr lock, eight speakers, etc.) but not standard on others.

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  Decent car, great value - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By N. Smith - September 14 - 6:06 pm

  I purchased my Suzuki Aerio new for just over $15k. I drove it until the fall of 2008 when I went to a Nissan Frontier. I put almost 50k catastrophe-free miles on it, and believe I got more than my moneys worth. Though not as refined or well-designed as its competition, the Aerio is a terrific value and, at least in my case, a reliable, versatile vehicle. If you can deal with its quirks, and dont mind a rough ride, its definitely worth a look. I dont regret going to a pickup, but I do miss the fuel economy of the Aerio. My mother has the car now, and has been using for over a year with no issues; the AWD is a great safety feature, and a real plus here in snowy N