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:

• 

  Love this car - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By joe - September 5 - 10:40 pm

  This car is the best car on the market and no one realized it, I own the 2003 aerio sx and I cant tell you how reliable this car is.

• 

  I Love My Suzuki - 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
  By Anne M - September 3 - 11:10 pm

  I cant tell you how happy Ive been with my Sidekick. It has 98,000 miles on it and still starts right up! My car performance has always exceeded my highest expectations. I feel secure knowing that I have AWD whenever the need arises. This feature has pulled me out of my driveway even after the plow trucks have blocked the end of the driveway with massive piles of snow. Now that my daughter has her license, she has taken over driving the car. I know the Suzuki will give her many more years of excellent performance.

• 

  Go big or stay Nissan - 2009 Suzuki Equator
  By R.Norman - August 30 - 7:20 am

  Good warranty, okay fuel mileage,and a comfortable ride. After buying my truck, I later returned to the dealer, and was unable to order parts,such as a bush guard, mouldings, etc. The Equator appeared to be there pink elephant, opposed to other Suzuki products on hand. The parts department had no answers, however I found every thing I needed at Nissan. When time for servicing the dealer had to back order a oil filter. I reside in British Columbia, and have only seen one or two Equators in passing over the last 6 months. In western Canada, Suzuki needs to go big or leave this truck to Nissan. My truck gets a lot of looks, along with questions. Obviously due to poor advertising.

• 

  My suzuki - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By john phillips - August 30 - 6:53 am

  This is a perfect second car. Great interior room,im 6 ft 1. excellent mileage and great dealer service.The standard features on the Sx model are great,a/c,5 disc, stereo,cruise,etc. Im very happy with my little car.

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned out of 23 cars! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By MrClean - August 27 - 11:43 am

  First brand new car I have ever bought. The few problems I have had have all been covered under warranty. (New fuel pump, spoiler coming off, and a leaking strut. Other then that the car has performed flawlessly! With the drive by wire you have to reset the throttle a few times to get it just right for it to program itself to the way drive. I currently have 18,000 miles on it and have almost 50% of the tread left on the factory tires. I have them rotated every 5k miles & they work & sound almost the same as the day I purchased the car. I average 27 mpg on mountain freeway driving at an average 75 mph, at 55 mph on the same 187 mile route I got 35 mpg. It performs awesome in the snow!

• 

  Body and performence - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By x-sport - August 26 - 11:16 am

  Really like the interior design and the exterior design, I think it is classy. It doesnt look like a cheaply made SUV. The controls on the steering wheel are really in a handy place. The seats are comfortable to sit in even on long trips. My experience has been really good. Its a really good SUV for the money. Yes, I would buy it again.

• 

  Nice Car for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By happy lady - August 25 - 2:46 pm

  The Suzuki Verona is a nice sedan. It rides great on the highway. It has all the toys for a great price. It could use about 40 more housepower though.

• 

  The Best New Vehicle Ive Ever Owned! - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Scott Tillson - August 24 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased my Geand Vitara new with 61 miles on it. I had to order from a place 45 miles away. I have had a great time in it. My 6 and 3 year olds have had lots of fun with us on the long trips from Norfolk, VA to Anniston, AL. We all were very comfortable the whole trip. If bad weather hit and we had to get out in it i just put it in 4x4 and had at it. I will never regret this purchase even if new cars depreciate quickly the moment that they are driven off the lot. I really love this truck. My family does too!

• 

  Im lovin it - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By alice - August 23 - 12:56 pm

  No regrets - its a pleasure and a pal. I drive 22 miles each way to work, along very twisting, hilly roads in the northeast. Havent tried it in deep sub-zero conditions yet, but ice, rain, snow, fog, heat, etc., have all been here, and weve done that with no problems at all.

• 

  Most AWD bang for the buck. - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Terry in KC - August 23 - 7:43 am

  Looked for second car for wife to complement her Lexus LS400. AWD was a must for KC winter commutes. We looked at just about everything under $20-22K, and kept coming back to this thing. It provides the best combo of power, equipment, warranty, interior, ride, etc near its price point. Better ride, gas mileage than small SUVs, plus quieter & cheaper. Interior style nice, exterior different but we like it. Build quality not Lexus, but neither is price. Very peppy, amazingly little wind noise at 80 mph. Handling wont wow anyone, but not a big factor for us. Resale poor, but should improve with increasing popularity. Biggest complaints: really lousy OEM tires. Spark plugs may be too hot for moderate or warm climates.