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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  Love This Vitara - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By yamahar6 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Verything is in the vitara. I like tail lights.

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  best car for the buck - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Christo - October 25 - 10:00 am

  The Aerio GS is a great car , fun to drive . With the new 7/100000 power train warranty should you ever worry , the body is stylish and the exterior is unique .The only problem is the car is NEW !NO AFTER MARKET parts.I went to have the oil changed to find out the local oil change garage didnt have the car in the system .I am also looking to change the fog bulbs to yellow , but cant find a aftermarket part #, only the gunuine suzuki part #. But DAMN the car is fun to drive.My car is 1 month old but i will get back to this in 6 months for a follow up.

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  100% satisfied...again - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By mike - October 25 - 2:03 am

  No manufacturer gives you more for the money than Suzuki. This is my 7th Suzuki 4x4. All were excellent, trouble free vehicles and this is by far the best yet. My advice is to drive every small SUV out there and then test drive a Suzuki. Im confident that you will be amazed.

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  i loved it - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By er1ca2000 - October 23 - 3:26 pm

  I was actually a little skeptical of buying an SUV but this little thing had changed my mind. It had plenty of room for all our kids stuff, roomy backseat and windows that roll all the way down in the back. It is fun to drive and handles very well for an SUV. I do wish that it got better gas mileage but that is a factor that i am willing to sacrifice. It looks cute, and i LOVE driving it in the mud puddles around the house. Most of the time it is a muddy mess but after a trip to car wash it reveals perfect paint. NO fading or anything else. I might mention it is black. My opinion... 2 thumbs way up. We will buy another if we are ever able to give this one up. 44000 miles at purchase

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  Reliable Suzuki XL-7 - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Linda F. Burgos - October 21 - 3:00 pm

  My 2001 Suzuki XL-7 is a good vehicle for taking kids from Point A to Point B. I have never had a single mechanical problem. The four wheel drive is excellent. And, I like the versatility of the third row seat. However, better quality interior materials would be nice to consider as a future improvement. My son frequently rested his feet on the rear passenger seat when he was a toddler so that the pocket on the back seat ripped open. In my opinion, for a car that is marketed to moms with kids, the seat ripped a little too easily. And, the plastic trim around the sunroof has an annoying habit of coming loose. Despite these minor issues, it is a solid car.

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  2000 SUZUKI-Grand Vitara,4WD - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By D.M. LITTLE - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Very well built SUV.The electronic 4WD operates great. The vehicle is very easy to handle, because of its size, but very comfortable inside.Interior is really nice, and all controls are conveniently located.Lots of room, especially when the rear seats are folded down.Rear door/tailgate, opens very easy, and wide,making loading items extremely easy.Had a Suzuki Sidekick prior to this.300,000 miles, and still running.

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  Suzuki Forenza LX - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By VBennah - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Nice car to drive,comfortable the price and warranty definitely influence me to purchase it.

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  I Love This Car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Chris Wallingsford - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Suzuki Forenza sort of blind sided. I have previously owned Suzuki dirt bikes, yet have not had any exprience with their automobiles. This car is fun to drive and handles like a much more expensive automobile. The speed sensitive steering is a must. Also, the first automatic transmission I have thoroughly enjoyed using. Both in regular mode and in the "hold" mode. The stereo in this vehicle is "the bomb". One reason I purchased this car, is that I drove this car. 28 mpg is not bad either. I have recommended this vehicle to everyone I know. Like the title of my review states: "I LOVE THIS CAR!!"

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  Lovin my Suzuki - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Renee - October 19 - 2:23 am

  I commute to work everyday and this car makes for a great ride. The trip is not at all highway and the gas mileage is not horrible, but not what I expected. The features that came with the sport model were one of the selling points. You usually pay a lot more for these options. The looks are deceiving from the outside. Plenty of room, even for larger people. This car is very sporty looking also. The price is great for an AWD.

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  Love My Kizashi - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Tanya - October 19 - 1:50 am

  I learned about the Kizashi months ago from a friend. I had a 08 SX4 Crossover and loved it but wanted more comfort and performance. Ive been bugging my dealership and they called me the day it came in. The first and only Kizashi was brought out (hadnt even been cleaned yet). It was an SLS with AWD in Black Pearl. The look, the size, the increased comfort and incredible quality and attention to detail in the interior completely sold. They cleaned it up and put it in the showroom until I picked it up a couple of days later. It is so comfortable and fun to drive. What an incredible bang for the buck...and the same fuel economy that I had in my much smaller SX4. Great work Suzuki!