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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  XL-7 Me! - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Barrington Bum - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle for the money! Downsizing from an Expedition, the size difference was our biggest adjustment, but the features and performance have won us over - and the rear windows go all the way down! "Value engineering" is evident in some places, but tolerable so far.

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  Not very pump friendly - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By binkys4deep - July 30 - 8:16 pm

  Im not very in love with how fast the gas seems to go in my XL-7. And not only that, I had trouble with my air conditioning not even a whole year after buying it. My CD player is not working too well at this point. Things just seem to be going wrong while only having it less than two years But at least most things are still under warranty. But who wants to have to get things worked on so soon? It served its purpose when I first got it, because I needed something that seated seven. And now that I dont need the space, I feel stuck because at this point, the car is only worth about half of what I still owe!

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  Small, but a real machine - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By chiqui - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Suzuky Grand Vitara probably is the smaller SUV around the world but its performance in and out the road make this auto a great, real and powerfull machine.

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  Best Kept Secret - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Great Truck - July 25 - 7:53 am

  Best kept SUV secret. Great quality and perfect for anyone looking for a mid size suv. Just enough room. If you dont need seven passenger seating skip the third row. Great value.

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  Suzuki SX4 - AWD for Winter - Snow - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Charles L - July 22 - 1:40 pm

  I love my SX4. This car is very roomy, comfortable and fun to drive. Looks great standing still or moving fast. Last week we had more than a foot of soft snow in my 1/4 mile driveway. I covered the lower grille opening to protect the radiator, locked in the AWD and plowed out. Had snow rolling over the hood up to the windshield but the SX4 kept going. Is that great or what? Visibility is excellent for touring the countryside because of the large glass and upright seating. Stops on a dime. Parks anywhere. Climbs hills without roads. Very wind stable for a compact vehicle.

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  Making My Friends Jealous! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Pilar Garza - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the 5-speed Aerio SX in silver less than a week ago and I love it. This car has tons of room (my previous car was a Geo Metro), tons of standard features, and a great warranty. I got mine for a little over $13,000 with tax and title. My friend who has the Toyota Matrix is jealous because she spent $3,000 more and didnt even get keyless entry!

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  My baby - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By jentomko - July 22 - 7:50 am

  I owned this vehicle for about 2 years, and I didnt realize just what a wonderful suv I had until I sold it. I have been searching for another suv ever since then, and nothing compares. I just cant find ANYTHING that even begins to compare to the this vehicle. I am serious. I never realized just how much I truly loved it until it was gone.

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  Bipolar Suzi - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By cortez - July 22 - 6:16 am

  Bought two of these in june of 07. Drive these cars about 4,000 miles a month, under extreme conditions, snow, ice, desert heat, rough two lane roads, speeds of 85-90 for extended times and short bursts, high altitude always at least a mile. Have had several problems starting, but just kept trying and now problem has resolved on its own. Increased air intake with filter and exhaust... mileage about 31 hwy, not that great, hold button feature works well for steep grades and getting up to speed. excellent car so far, no problems needing service, passes extreme x2 test with 96

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  Comfort beyond believe...... - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ronald Hill - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is exceptionally comfortable to drive it took me by suprise the way it handle on the highway,this is a nice car to have for road trip.

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  Suszki Renos water pump problems - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Suszuki problems - July 16 - 3:13 am

  At 4,000 miles, less than 6 months old, the timing belt went out because of a faulty water pump. My car had major motor damage and spent three weeks in the shop and Suzuki knew of the problem and refused to recall the Reno. Now I can not trust the vehicle.