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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  Learning to Like - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By not decided - December 5 - 12:00 am

  I went from a luxury Toyota to an economy Suzuki. Except for power seats and a premium stereo I have the same features. The ride is adequate. My insurance is cheaper. The warranty is great. Its an inexpensive car with a lot of the little options that we have come to want. It has tons of storage, and I had an SUV before.

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  Okay But Needs Improvement - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By SamuelB - November 18 - 5:10 am

  As midsize SUVs go the Suzuki XL7 is a bargain. Mine stickered for almost $23,000 but with discounts got it for only $17K. Considering you get automatic temperature control air conditioning, CD player, cruise control, and antilock brakes in the deal thats not too bad. Ive put 11,000 miles on it and have had no problems. The build quality is quite good and the doors sound solid when you shut them. The driving position is comfortable and it performs reasonably well except in high winds. The gas mileage is much worse than I would have expected in a 6 cylinder midsize SUV, and the engine could use more power.

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  so so - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By hoop - September 30 - 2:00 am

  it is an o.k. car for the price tag but needs to be modernized.

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  Never again - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By Jackie - September 23 - 3:03 pm

  I drive for a living and the 2006 Suzuki XL-7 has the worst drivers seat, as far as comfort goes. The senor for the passaeger airbag goes out everytime someone over 250 lbs. sits in the seats.

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  Air Conditioner Problems - 2012 Suzuki Equator
  By equatorhater - August 12 - 3:31 am

  I am on my second Equator. The first made it to 20,000 miles with no problems. At 20,000 the airconditioner started freaking out. It would have power surges and the fan motor would go from almost off to full power on and off continuously. Took it to the dealer multiple times, they could not fix it. We traded the truck for a 2012 Equator, it has made it to 9325 miles and is doing the exact same thing. I am at my wits end!!!

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  Hate my 2006 Grand Vitara 4x4 - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Dawn R - July 27 - 11:06 am

  In July 2007 I replaced my 2004 Ford Explorer for a 2006 Grand Vitara which has an auto 4x4 feature. This vehicle handles good on normal roads but when winter came it quickly changed. If I hit a patch of ice it swerves left to right. Had it checked out by the dealer--nothing wrong. Was told I must have driven too fast for conditions. How could that be when everyone was passing me? Handles well in snow and heavy snow but forget the ice or slick spots on freeway. If you stomp on it so the 4x4 kicks in it helps but when you let off it we start slipping again. I dont feel safe in this car. Ill be trading it off soon. Im going back to Ford.

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  Gas Guzzler - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By rey - July 11 - 1:03 am

  Ive had my Grand Vitara for six months now. It is totally a gas guzzler. Mine is only averaging 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on highways. The culprit is the high reving engine and confusing climate control system. It seems like the A/C always turns on. It is a total disappointment.

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  Bad Tranny, Shocks, & Gas Mileage, but Good Looks - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Kate2Dance - July 10 - 2:40 am

  I bought this car to commute to work and got decent gas mileage on highway, but horrible in town mileage of less than 20 MPG. At less than 30,000 miles, the transmission went bad and the rear shocks are knocking and rattling! Note this car was purchased to commute to work via a one hour drive on the interstate, so most of its mileage is highway! With a bad tranny and rear shocks at under 30,000 miles (most of which were highway) and very poor in town gas mileage, youre better off buying something else! Im buying a Honda next time, or anything else, for that matter!

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  This car wouldnt die - 1996 Suzuki Sidekick
  By Gentle Ben - May 14 - 2:53 pm

  I loved this car. I had the full SUV, hardtop, 4dr version. Out of date looking even in 96. Sadly I did not take very good care of this vehicle but the car hung very tough with the neglect. In the 8 years I owned it I had to replace a battery and adjust the clutch linkage and weld a broken clutch pedal. Thats it. ... Good MPG (27 hwy or city), extremely reliable, utilitarian, tough to the bone, fun. But boxy, square edges and narrow frame made it a whipsaw on the highway. Also sheet metal is paper thin and seemingly weak structure may not make this a family type / safe vehicle. Very spartan inside and an odd-looking vehicle outside. But... my favorite car ever.

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  Reno-Divorce - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By anti_suzuki - April 28 - 2:41 pm

  My quarrel is not with the car, which is built in Korea by Daewoo, but with the service and treatment of the Suzuki dealers. I have only had two issues with this car in 45,000 miles, but the last one was the last straw. I was charged $278 to fix a defective $45 electronic sensor. I watched the mechanic take 15 minutes, but they charged me 45 minutes labor. I told them what was wrong, internet supported common problem, and they charged me an additional $100 to diagnose it. I am trying to unload the car now and I would caution EVERYONE away from Suzuki cars. They dowble talk you with big warranties for which you still have to pay if the engine or trans do not fail completely. Stay Away!