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:

• 

  better than expected - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Randar - October 9 - 9:23 am

  I bought this car used with 9200 miles on it and have been suprised with how nice a car this really is. The in town gas milage is really poor but I mostly drive on rual highways and have been getting 32 to 33.4 miles per gallon. The car has great acelleration when needed and has nice headroom. The down side is the seats are poorly designed and hurt your back when driving long distances and the oversized A pillars create a blind spot that takes some getting used to. Overall this is a nice little car thats a lot of fun to drive and I would recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Great I still have it Works good - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Jose Robleto - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Reliable, fun to drive Drove from Texas to Nicaragua in 2006 with 110,000 miles no problem Drove from El Paso TX to Mazatlan Sinaloa in 2009 cero problems with 149,000 miles

• 

  Solid Performer - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By JMat - September 25 - 11:00 pm

  Since I purchased my GV Ive gotten married, got a dog, bought a house and recently became a father. All along the way the GV has never let me down. Weve gone on several road trips and the GV has always been a true pleasure to drive. It now hauls my entire family including the dog with no problem. Reliability has never been an issue and the build quality is top nothch. The only issue Ive had since purchasing it in 2007 has been a burned out headlight which was covered under the warranty and took a half an hour to repair at the dealership. I would recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Excellent Value - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By driver003 - September 23 - 11:28 am

  I bought this car brand new seven years ago. now have 80,000 miles on it. Only thing that went wrong was powersteering box which I couldve prevented. For a "cheaper" value car, man does this top expectations. Has rigidity of a honda body (not so much paint finish though). The most standard features for a better price than any car in its class and best acceleration in class (manual). And this is compared to 2005 compact vehicles. Not best on gas, but fun to drive. I will def. put suzuki and Sx4 on my short list. Dont let people tell you theyre crap...one of the highest selling cars in the world just not as popular in USA.

• 

  Love the car - hate the gas milage! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Cquick - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Love our Verona - got a great deal. But the gas milage during city commutes is not a good as I had hoped. Seat belts in back are difficult to manuever - but otherwise, look and feel is great.

• 

  2008 Suzuki SX4 - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By BrendanB - September 11 - 2:26 pm

  I purchased this car for my first car, and it is pretty impressive considering the price. At first, it felt very slightly underpowered, considering that I was used to driving a car with 260 horsepower, but in reality, it isnt bad. The handling on it is amazing. It takes turns quickly and the tires stick to the road well. I live in Pennsylvania, and the traction control and AWD make it a very good car for snow. Also, the touring package comes with a 9-speaker 6-CD changer, which sounds amazing. It is probably one of the best car stereos Ive heard. The only small downside is I have only been getting 20 mpg, but thats using full throttle a lot. Overall I am very satisfied with this purchase.

• 

  purchaed new in feb. 12 - 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By boss1mb - September 4 - 10:43 am

  not much wrong with this compact suv, much less than others larger ones in price, geared a little low for 1st, handlling good great turning radius for tight spots, if you havent owned a small suv before give careful consideration, its not gonna handle like a sports car at highway speeds. Great for around town and trips, could have used another 2" length in the cargo area. Great body style, lots of safety features, a good value for the price.

• 

  XL-7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By KLH - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Handles the road sharp. Turns on a dime. Rides good.

• 

  ITS GREAT! - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By NICOLE - August 28 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE HANDLES GREAT! ITS COMPACT SIZE MAKES IT EASY TO CONTROL, AND ITS A GREAT CAR FOR TEENS TO LEARN TO DRIVE IN! IT HAS GREAT TURNING ABILITY AND ALL AROUND THIS IS A GREAT VEHICLE.

• 

  Great Value - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By stockton2007 - August 22 - 7:56 am

  Purchased new in May 08. Base sport sedan, 5spd, no options. Total discounts $1700 + free gas card and 0% for 60 mo = Fansatic Deal. The car is great for its class, huge trunk, excellent headroom, backseeat fits my sons car seat well. Interior is a clean look but lots of plastic (remember the $15k price). exterior is stylish and actually has alloy wheels! MPG is 25-27 which isnt bad but is low for this catagory of cars. It has some pep with the 5spd but is by no means "fast". Drives well and has a decent feel for the road. Has had good traction in rain and snow even with the FWD sedan.