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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  Super SUV - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By rservice - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Suzuki, I previously owned 97 Mercury Mountaineer and was looking for a newer Mountaineer when I saw a Red 04 XL-7 in the mall concourse. I had to walk around it several times, it was so sharp looking. Several months later my husband saw the "Route 66" commercial & suggested I look at the Suzukis. It was like he was reading my mind. Drove one the next day and picked mine up the folling day. I love it!!

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  Great SUV For The Price - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By Nick - October 3 - 11:43 pm

  I bought my 2004 Suzuki XL-7 a year ago and absolutely love it. Like others I looked at Toyotas but couldnt afford to get into the $30,000 range. This XL-7 has a car type ride and you can feel the road very well. I must also say there is not much road or wind noise. Its interior is designed very well, although it could be a tad bigger, as sometimes you can feel squashed. I have had 3 SUVs, including a Toyota 4-Runner, and I would take the XL-7 over them any day. I paid $19,200 for this vehicle with automatic climate control, heated mirrors, cruise, tilt, etc. I suggest you drive one before settling on any other SUV.

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  First hand report - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By J D Reichert - October 2 - 11:43 am

  February 27, 2010 and I purchased a Suzuki Kizashi SLS on February 20 with every option except the GPS. We’ve driven the car 343 miles sense we picked it up. My automobile reference point was a 2000 Cadillac Eldorado that we had owned from new. Additionally I drive a 1983 BMW 633CSi 5 speed (German version). The Cadillac had a 300hp V8 but under normal city driving the Kizashi performs very well as compared. For the first 300 = miles we are recording 20.0 mpg on 87 octane fuel. The car rides very compatible to the BMW but not as soft as the Cadillac. The highway noise level is about the same as the BMW, and both have the Dunlap SP 7000 tires, but is not as quite as the Cadillac.

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  POG - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By cherylkf - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Piece of garbage. Leaks transmission fluid, burns oil, a/c is on all the time, rattles so badly it sounds like its going to come appart like one of those cartoon cars. It started all of this at 18,000 miles. And, I have taken care of it...regular maintenance, etc.

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  2005 Suzuki Verona EX - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By DaveD - October 2 - 2:23 am

  My 2005 Suzuki Verona EX is my second Suzuki. I have experienced the same problems in both my previous Forenza now this 2004 Verona. They seem to want to hide the fact that the tachometer surges. Ive stalled at the least safe times in BOTH makes, getting onto freeways or trying to pass. You will love the warranty until you try to USE it and then try to get a "loaner" when they keep it over night. You will be stuck. this is my last Suzuki purchase ever, its a cheap car, and mom always said, "you get what you pay for", listen to your mother.

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  Great car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By greg - October 1 - 12:03 pm

  I am so impressed with this car. The price is great, the performance is impressive, and the look works. Not so generic looking as the hondas and toyotas. Mine is the premium with the alloys and moonroof, white, with a black pinstripe. Feels like a much bigger car, holds the road well. Mines an auto, has great acceleration. Not as stiff riding as the other cars, but I prefer that. plus, the best warranty in the country. Whats not to like?

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  Suzuki Forenza - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Justin Maier - October 1 - 9:50 am

  I love my Forenza. Ive had it for almost six months now and everything about it is great. I feel like it has a good amount of power, especially in the higher gears and at higher speeds. This car is everything I needed in a car.

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  Buyer beware - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By heather_2011 - September 30 - 12:13 pm

  I traded in my beloved Oldsmobile that has 175,000 miles on it for our current Suzuki Forenza that had 30,000. It seemed like a smart idea since we drive between states quite a bit. Were we ever wrong! From the get go this car has been nothing but trouble. I had it into the dealership 5 times for the same problem, corporate offices had to step in and fix it finally. Now it is parked because it wont start and with paying a car payment I just dont have the money to have it into the shop every other week. This was the first car that I have owned that is considered foreign. Ill never do it again.

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  suv - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By xandu - September 30 - 10:00 am

  great little suv great in snow and mud on road and off great on the hwy and city

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  Love - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By JerAdler - September 30 - 10:00 am

  For the price there is non better. Has pleanty of nice options and goo dlooking interior. Drives well on the freeway.