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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  Love On The Road - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Vernell - April 10 - 2:00 am

  great to drive kids love the look cant wait for snow

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  Strong Option for Price Conscious Buyer - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By RAJ_I - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car proved a complete surprise. Here are the salient points: Pros: Style: Classy without being outlandish. Space: Very large interior , can accomodate 5 persons easily. Price: Best value for money for Mid size. Engine: 6 Cylinder Inline is very smooth and performs well on flat as well as inclines.Good Power without the raw surge. Ride: Very smooth and Silky. Audio: Good but not like maximas. Acceleration: A bit slow, but OK if you are not a passing freak.Lights: Excellent. Brakes: Excellent. Fuel Economy: OK not exceptional. 20 mpg in city. INteriors: Very good. Nice quality of finish. Cons: Resale value unknown.

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  Aerio SX YAY! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Qeenasheba - April 10 - 12:16 am

  The 2002 Suzuki Aerio SX was the best car I have ever had. I would give it an 11 on a scale from 1 to 10. Its sporty and fun to look at as well as to drive. It has tons of storage, and kept me safe in an accident. I love this car!

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  A Lackluster Car - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By ravfjr - April 8 - 6:29 pm

  I used to own a 1998 Suzuki Swift, and this car was bullet-proof. It gave me 300K miles of pure reliability. Not so with my SX4... This car is sub-standard in quality and in performance. And to top it off, Suzuki has vacated the U.S., so good luck getting service. My closest service provider is over 2 hours away...

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  Perfect little SUV for me! - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Fajardo - April 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Grand Vitara new in 2000 and havent had one complaint yet. It is a little on the small side for myself and friends (all of us are 6ft+ tall), but I new that when I made the purchase. I test drove the CR-V and RAV4 and even was considering a Sportage, but the Suzuki offered more power and standard options for my constant highway driving. Ive had several cars including and BMW and a Mercedes, but this one is my favorite. All in all Im very pleased and hope to have this truck for a long time to come.

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  Good buy - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By pmohan - April 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought it second hand from the dealer- one year old with 20K for $6000.00. Have been pleasantly surprised- very nifty, tight in cornering and excellent fuel use (>30 mpg/gallon). Love the room at the back with seats folded. No mechanical problems yet !

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  Topless in Tri-Cities Washington - 1999 Suzuki Vitara
  By Topless in Tri-City - April 7 - 2:16 am

  This is a rather tinny little car but its sharp looking particularly once you get rid of the boring wheels it comes with. This is our "summer" car, and its got that season written all over it. Absolutely fun to ride in! Ours has the small motor - not powerfull - but adequote with the stick tranny. I like working on my own vehicles; everything is accessible and in plain view! Be carefull on the highway - I suspect this thing could roll if turned very sharply. Good brakes, smooth runner. We doubt well ever get rid of it! Weve had it for three years. If you buy a newer one still under warranty, be warned, Suzuki does not honor expired warranties, even if they are just one mile over!

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  What are you doing - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By richdaddy123 - April 3 - 4:43 pm

  I dont know what the other reviewers are doing to their cars, maybe abusing them, but I have had nothing go wrong with this car whatsoever. My parents had this same car (wagon version) and they had no troubles either. This is not a hot rod car. Its a car to get around town, and it does that very well. By the way, my parents were so impressed with the Esteem, when they traded it in they bought another Suzuki, and have had no trouble with it either.

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  WOW!! Its fun to drive again! - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Dennis - April 3 - 3:33 pm

  Havent had this much fun driving a car since 1978! Great fun with 6 spd.manual transmission, great pick-up and performance...watch out...in 6th gear you can go from 75-100 in a split second without trying to! LOVE MY KIZASHI!

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  Good deal - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By john - April 3 - 5:16 am

  Handles well and comfortable, 3 years 140000 miles and only have changed oil and brakes, gas mileage is less than expected, body control module quit early on and factory would not cover.