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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  "A RICH MANS POOR MIDSIZE SUV " - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By GIFFO - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I CAN NOT BE NEGATIVE REGARDING MY PURCHASE OF THIS PARTICULAR SUV. I HAVE HAD IT FOR OVER ONE YEAR; AND MY ONLY COMPLAINT ARE THE TIRES THAT CAME STANDARD WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CALL THEM THE " DEATH TIRES " ( FIRESTONE / BRIDGESTONE. ) THEY COMPLETELY WORE DOWN BELOW STATE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTD BY 7000 MILES. SUZUKI SHOUL CHANGE ITS AGREEMENT RE. TIRES.

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  Great all-around, do-everything vehicle - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By schnabster - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a "do-everything" vehicle. Made for true off-road, while able to haul multi-kids in 3 (tight) rows of seats...hauls lots of gear, too. The six cyl. is a bit under-powered, but fine for everyday around-town and highway, too. Seats are very uncomfortable for long distance driving.

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  Great value - 2002 Suzuki Vitara
  By joenalley72 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has alot of get up ang go for a 4 cyclinder. The ride is really good to. For the money i think i made the right choice. The 4 wheel drive will be nice in the winter.

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  Great Value, Reliable. - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By JJ - February 15 - 4:36 pm

  The Suzuki Verona is a great car for the money. I have not had a single mechanical problem since we bought it. It has slightly sluggish acceleration for passing and freeway merging, otherwise, I have no complaints. Yup, Id buy another one.

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  Great crossover for what you pay for - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By jayman2176 - February 14 - 9:40 pm

  This is kind of tricky since I owned a 28,000 dollar jetta before this car. It gets pretty good gas millage for have allwheel drive I get 28.1 though 29.0 mpg most of the time but not in winter winter I see about 20-24 mpg I live in Indiana so I see alot of snow. I love the room in this car with a wheel base of 98 I can sure fit alot of cargo with the seats down. I love the sound system I got the 9 speaker premium sound and it pretty good. Note though my jetta had a eight speaker sound system that sound just as good with better bass and had no subwoofer in it. Love the no key start now I hate using other peoples cars. Basically a good car for the 18 thousand.

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  Pretty Good For The Money! - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Money Maker - February 14 - 3:56 pm

  At first I doubted Suzukis quality but I was wrong. This car has been for the most part reliable. Ive had few minor issues but nothing major such as recalls but other than that not much of anything. I found out GM Daewoo created these cars for Suzuki and I guessed theres a pile of junk but Ive seen much improvement through Daewoo. For the price you get a decent car with a good amount of features.

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  Nice car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By ra2dale - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving my Suzuki for four months and Im pretty happy with it. It has good power and gives me great gas mileage - a much as 30mpg on some freeway drives. For the price and compared to other cars in its class Its a good buy.

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  Nothing Else is Better Than This - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Daewoo1 - February 10 - 1:56 pm

  I do not know what everyone is complaining about. My vehicle never stalled, never had a problem. Do the research - this was once a Daewoo and I had one of those as well, a Leganza that had no problems either. It was designed in Italy and has a German Volkswagen engine. Its on virtually the same platform as the Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS Series for less than $20,000.

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  over 100,000 and not a problem! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By diddiegirl - February 10 - 11:59 am

  I purchased this little car in June on 2008. I drive from Maine to Boston to work over 160 miles at a time. Thankfully I have never had a single problem with the car and I am on only my second set of tires with lots of tread to go. I have put on one set of brake pads and done a lot of oil changes, but that is all. Gas mileage is about 27mpg, but I must say I do not always follow the speed limits! I just read with a different air filter it may increase my mpg, so Im going to give it a try. Great in the snow and reliable, low maintainance, and room enough for most everything but a sheet of plywood!! :) No complaints here! (ok one, I wish the gas tank were bigger!)

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  Nothing Special - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By NancyH - February 7 - 7:13 am

  This is a great car if you live in a state with little snow, and dont mind the terrible gas mileage. While it is fun to drive, had I known these two factors were as bad as they are I wouldt have bought this car. Also there is no good place to store cds and the glove compartment is tiny.