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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  2005 XL-7 - Purchase Date 10/05 - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Cindy - October 4 - 11:50 am

  For the past 12 years Ive been driving minivans and I was NOT buying another one. I miss driving a car (pre- kids) and that is what I was hoping to buy. Unfortunately, at this time, that isnt practical. I need a vehicle large enough to cart my boys, their friends, sports equipment, and the dog around. I live in a remote area of NW New Jersey - it takes 20 minutes to get to the nearest grocery store - so I didnt want to buy a gas guzzling full size SUV. We have snowy winters and I love driving in the snow so 4x4 is required. The XL-7 was the answer. It provides all the features I need at a very reasonable price. Its fun to drive, good on gas, and the boys love the sound system. So far, so good.

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  Reliable Little Buggy for 2 Years Now - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Harvester - September 30 - 1:43 pm

  This has to be one of the best deals Ive ever gotten on a used car. Bought it less than a year old, with 8500 miles. The cost was already 2/3 of a new one. All the complaints Ive read about have never happened to me. There were 3 recalls that the Suzuki dealer performed - one for a wiring harness, one for a seatbelt thing, and the other for the running lights. I took this car on a road trip across Texas and back and was very good on gas. For $200 I put a Pioneer radio and it made all the difference in the world. The speakers are actually very nice sounding if you put some wattage behind them.

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  Very good car for the money - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Ross - September 29 - 8:06 am

  I really love my car. I think it looks sporty for an economy car. I just wish it had more horsepower and torque. My sport edition did not come with the driving lights or cruise control, which is about the only thing I can complain about. Other than the 2009 model has an integrated GPS. But in the total package I would say the car is well worth it.

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  What a surprise! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By d.a. - September 18 - 1:23 pm

  Well, its like falling into some "parallel" universe when you get in this car. It looks quite small, but once youre in, it feels cavernous. I like the way I feel like Im sitting "high" even though its a small car, and not an suv. Im a BIG guy, 61", 230 pounds, and I have NO problem getting in and out. The drivers door is quite long, it opens wide and entry/exit is a breeze. Amazing little car. Didnt expect to fall in love with it like I have, it was just a "second" car purchase to have an extra car. Love, love, love it!

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  I love this car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Adam H - September 15 - 4:20 am

  We were shopping for a fuel efficient car that had good safty ratings, warraty and an affordable price. We bought the all wheel drive automatic version of the Aerio. It drives great. Its not as peppy as the 03 Mustang we traded in but its a lot of fun to drive. The best feature of this car is the roominess inside. Its very deceiving!

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  Bad in snow - should be 4 wheel standard - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tale - September 15 - 3:03 am

  Nice car internally and externally. Bad in snow and rain.

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  Bye-bye Benz - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By tsloan - September 13 - 3:43 pm

  I traded my 2005 C-class 4matic mercedes for touring model of the sx4 crossover. I was wanting a smaller car with awd for the colorado winters. Ive only had the car a few days. So far so good. It is sporty getting around town, but it really has to work hard to get up the foothills of the Rocky Mts. SX$ has the same fuel economy as the benz. I seriously considered the Honda Fit, but the Fit had a rough ride on even smooth roads and had horrible road noise even at low speeds. The SX4 has a surprisingly smooth ride and minimal road noise. It is a little more exotic than the hondas and toyotas- --at least around Denver. The view from inside the car gives impression of a bigger car

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  The Good And The Bad - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Robert - September 11 - 12:46 am

  Overall I am satisied with the vehicle. It has a rigid body, well constructed and free of rattles or excessive road noise. The engine is strong, transmission shifting smooth, it should be better on gas though. It responds well to throttle and has good braking. The S mode provides many good standard options included in base price. By far the biggest mistake is in not providing cruise control as part of the standard options. The dealer is unable to install a cruise control as Suzuki does not offer one as a dealer option. No other cruise control is offered by any other vendors. Now I am stuck with no hopes of ever getting a cruise control installed.

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  Tough car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Frank - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I liked the room and AWD. Car does great in all conditions. Milage OK avg. 27plus MPG commute. When there is no traffic 30 MPG at 65 to 70 MPH. Stero system terrible in the PA mountains. Only complaint is that it goes through factory front pads every 12k. Goes 30k with after market pads. I have over 175000 miles on the car and it shows no signs of giving up.

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  Cute compact SUV not so cute gas mileage - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By lucgrad00 - September 1 - 12:56 pm

  I love everything about my Grand Vitara except for the lousy gas mileage. I only get 14-15 MPG in town. Other compact SUVs are far superior in this area. If gas mileage is a primary concern a Rav4, Vue or CR-V would be a better choice.