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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  slow at start; good final speed - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By rml - August 1 - 5:43 pm

  Well put together. Slow pick-up; 110 +- mph top speed. Automatic Transmission not that hot. Comfort not that good. Lots of pockets for storage. Ergonometrics excellent. Excellent turning radius. Gallons per miles poor. Beautiful design in and out. Good value. Lots of extras for the $. Good sound equipment. Good stability for a wagon.

• 

  Fun! - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By WSU - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has a great little boost for passing, easy to park, seats 4 adult fairly comfortably, suprising head room...my husband is 6ft. tall and has plenty of room.

• 

  3 to 5 days for parts - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By suzuki gone wild - July 15 - 2:43 pm

  hi there, i been driving my Vitara for 7 years now the truck just hit 200k miles and its starting to see some oil leaks on the engine and lets get to my point .... everytime something brakes i have to find a suzuki dealer for parts and it takes 3-5 days to get parts.1st thing to go was the alt and i had to get one at a autozone 3 hours away and needed it. was on a sunday and i needed to get to work on monday.road trip.the rear passanger side alxe bearings went out...the alxe almost come out!!!! the brakes failed..if you want a car that takes 3- 5 days to fix buy one

• 

  2008 Suzuki SX4 4dr Wagon AWD Automatic - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Ran - July 5 - 7:03 am

  Recently purchased the car from carmax for $10k and didnt feel like I was being ripped off from a dealership and so far its been great. It gives me everything that I really need. Automatic Windows, a/c, and reliability. Ive owned many other cars but as Ive "matured" this car is perfect for me right now. Doesnt go fast therefore eliminating speeding tickets, definitely within my reduced budget from a few years ago, and it takes me from point a to point b.

• 

  air bags - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By hocuspoc - June 21 - 10:00 am

  over all I loved this vehical, that is up until I had a accident where i was hit in the passenger front end, bad enough that the vehical was totalled and neither the driver side or passanger side air bag came out... still havent got any reason as to why they didnt go off ...

• 

  My Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By James2 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I own a 2004 verona, I traded in my 2000 Daewoo Leganza which is basically the same type of car, the Verona has a bunch of std. features on it that you dont usually find on a $17,350 car, such as fullsize spare tire,heated outside mirrors, cruise/tilt and my favorite audio steering wheel controls along with pw,pl, pwr mirrors, the Verona has been in the shop twice, once for the recall of slow acceleration, andf the second was because it seemed like it wanted to stall after starting cold. Both were fixxed and the car runs good, I would reccommend this car to anyone on a budget, who wants a good size car for a small price,I am 64 and 360 lbs and fit well

• 

  Steves Review Forenza LX - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By stepheninaz - June 12 - 10:00 am

  Features abound on this car. Power everything, consoles, lights, features you didnt know you were getting. Very nice car with an unbelievable price. Engine is silky smooth and extremely quiet at idle. Air conditioning doesnt "bog" the car down like other 4- bangers Ive owned. Very good brakes and excellent hydraulic clutch.

• 

  Reliable but the body stinks! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By April - June 7 - 9:16 am

  I bought my Suzuki in 2003... OH I was in love with it and I still love this car. The gas mileage... you can really depend on this car! However you should know that the body was made very cheap. Every Suzuki I see on the road is missing the same front and back pieces on the front and back bumper... both pieces fell off on their own. Of course in 2009 I had well over 130K miles on this baby because I traveled A LOT in it so my car never had any major problems... Another thing you might want to know is if you get into an accident with the body parts being so cheap your car will most likely get totaled. I know this because someone hit my car while it was parked last Saturday and totaled it!

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  Hit or Miss - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Tigran - June 6 - 4:10 pm

  Problems are minor so far. Bought it almost brand new with 4k miles on. AC needs repair every summer, but was covered by warranty so were some recalls. Fuel economy is fair but should be a lot better. Lacks power but overall good value for the money.

• 

  Good Review - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Paulie D - June 3 - 2:00 am

  All around good midsize SUV