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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  Awesome little AWD car! Love it - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Busy Mom - November 21 - 8:23 pm

  I bought this car right before winter started (I had a Toyota Matrix before) and boy was I glad! This car is great in the snow. It gets me where I need to be, from snowy roads in New Hampshire through crowded streets and in tight parking spots in downtown Boston. This car is powerful, small, easy to parallel park, and fun to drive. Although it is small, it is well designed. My son sits in the back in his toddler seat no problem. I have also sat in the backseat, and while it isnt as spacious as a SUV of course, your feet arent squished. The seats and spacing is well designed.

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  Basic car... Awesome reliability - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By aerio1 - November 19 - 12:36 pm

  I bought this car off my buddy who sold it to me with only 30K miles on it. I have put 20K on it so far. I agree that bumpers are kinda low. The interior is basic. It has a surprising amount of head room despite looking small from the outside. I disagree with Edmunds mileage assessment. I ALWAYS get above 30 mpg. (I have the 5 spd manual). I plan to drive this car in to the ground and hope to get 300K miles. The only bad thing about this car is that if you get dings and such, you can only get Suzuki parts (can be expensive relative to Toyota/Honda). If you have a Civic or Corolla, there are TONS of aftermarket companies that make parts.

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  Wonderful Purchase - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Mkoz777 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Obviously a consumer may get turned off by the fact that Suzuki is not really known for sedan cars, but this car is wonderful. The fuel economy isnt too bad, and the amount of features that are packed in the car make it worthwhile. I can not find very much wrong with something for such a good price.

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  Great car - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Senegal - November 17 - 3:46 am

  Near 900 miles so far, its a sweet car. It is as nice as my friends IS 250 AWD if not better. I would suggest the SLS package, the leather seats are top notch.

• 

  My Suz - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By jlukas - November 16 - 10:00 am

  As an engineer, there is only a minimal changes I would do for the interior; add LED lights to all instruments (heat control) and add 1 to 2 inch width to the front seating

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  Suzuki XL-7 - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By jose - November 16 - 1:23 am

  I have enjoy owning my Suzuki XL-7. I have not had any problems with it plus it gives me good gas mileage. I am considering purchasing a new 2006 model.

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  wow.......what a car - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By chaser1972 - November 12 - 8:06 am

  here we go......this is the same car as in the review above. Now, it has 140000 miles on it(I commute 100 miles toand from work each day). I cannot say enough about this car. In 130k miles, here are my repairs: 4 front brake jobs (including the de-laminated brake pad), replaced front rotors once, 2 sets of tires, I had a stalling problem at around 105k that was the ONLY repair that was not wear-and-tear related. It was a throttle control valve or something. I am on my ORIGINAL rear brakes. It has only not started for me once, so I changed the plugs.this was at 120k. New plugs also cleared the check engine light. I really beat this car. Simply, the best car I have EVER owned.

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  good commute vehicle - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Cork - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Driving from Asheville, NC to Greeneville, TN daily to and from office, Im in it at least 3 hours a day havent missed a day, it carries me over the mountain daily, both in clear weather, and in ice and snow its important for me to have a reliable and safe vehicle, and thats what this model offers It is tough on the back on long trips (6 hours plus), and it rides like a truck, but it feels safe when i drive it

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  A Very Reliable Vehicle - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By Carmelo G - October 12 - 2:00 am

  We have 40,000 miles on this car and not one problem has occured. This is the most reliable car that I have ever owned. We completed an 8,500 mile trip and found it to be a comfortable ride. The Denver Suzuki/Isuzu Dealer was easy to deal with and we got a good deal.

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  If I could turn back time.. - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By mike05 - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Cheap body materials, thin paint, cheap interior. Average exterior styling. Poor interior styling. Handles well, but performs average to below average. My automatic hesitates on acceleration, and jumps between gears as I accelerate or decelerate while driving. Headlights are dim, and poorly aimed.