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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  SX4 Sedan - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By VirginiaBrewer - February 5 - 11:23 am

  The price is right. The warranty is right. This car handles, good power, comfort is excellent. For anyone who can drive a car the right way the fuel economy is excellent given the cars performance is really excellent. I average 31-32 at 70 to 80 mph. Wow. So for anyone complaining about mileage take that!

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  Gps/Bluetooth system - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By colonel1961 - February 1 - 7:30 am

  My daughter just bought this vehicle and frequently leaves it with me while she is on business trips. I was very impressed with the quality and value and would have purchased one until I tried out the GPS/navigation/bluetooth system. I had trouble setting up the bluetooth phone connection and finally went back to the dealer to get some instructions. There they told me I could not make a phone call using the voice system or the manual dial keypad unless the car was parked and had the emergency brake on. This makes the system useless. I have two other cars, a Prius and a Mercedes both of which let me push a button on the steering wheel and make a call using only my voice while driving.

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  Different in Japan - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By Pajero - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought mine in Japan from a friend who recently divorced and needed the cash. Only 2300 miles on it at the time. Great SUV with luxury Helly Hansen package, (not available in US). CD/MD 7-speaker stereo system is outstanding. I drive very steep and long hills to teach English at several locations weekly. The 2.7 V-6 handles the hills without breaking a sweat. Great Ride! I love it.

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  If You Want To Spend Lots Of Money!..... - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Billy Boy - January 28 - 3:23 pm

  Buy this suv! I have 49,000 miles now on my 06, I can not keep front tires on it,I am on my third set of tires!I know Suzuki knows of this problem!! Ive talked to a lot of people also having the same problems!Also keep extra headlight bulbs with you! about every3-4 months you will be changing them!As like another reviewer said:you mite as well wipe your crack with the paper the warranty is written on! The belt tension control arm is plastic, so around 45,000 miles it went up, costing me almost $400!Cd player does not work now,i guess the dealer would want about the est value of the vehicle to install a new one. Im very disappointed with you Suzuki!

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  Suzuki XL-7 - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By jshayes - January 27 - 4:30 pm

  Has a poor ride quality. Plan to trade for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.

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  Its hot in here - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By BadSuzuki - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This has been a good little vehicle for the most part. A couple of on-going problems problems have caused a lot of frustration and prevented it from being a great vehicle. The air conditioning never worked right from the day it was new. It has been to 2 different dealers a total of 11 times and still is not working. The body cladding kept coming loose until I finally glued it back on with industrial epoxy. Dealer service is pathetic. Both dealers in my area have dropped their Suzuki fanchise. I would never by another one.

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  XL7 - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By RM1541 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I own a 1996 Ford Explores XLT, fully equipped (leather, sunroof etc.)I am very happy with it. I believe in brand loyalty, when you receive good service and value, and Ford has delivered for me. I didnt know Suzuki had a larger sized SUV. For a minute there I though it was a customer vehicle! The XL7 is a great value. I bought the Limited, 3 rows, leather seats, excellent sound system, sun roof etc. I looked around, feature by feature, and there was no better value for the price I paid. Ive got close to 8,000 miles on it and I have no complaints!

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  A car you dont see every day - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By gregg - January 22 - 7:00 pm

  Overall, a fine little car. Love the exterior styling, a real headturner. Interior design is very good, with high quality plastics. The car has great steering feel, and the 17 inch tires and wheels make it handle like a go-cart. The brakes will make it stop on a dime. Fuel economy is very good, could improve though. Suzuki needs a 5 speed auto in place of the 4 speed. Im surpassing the city estimates easily, but the highway number seems pretty accurate. Suzuki needs a bit stronger air-conditioner, it takes longer than I would like to cool down the inside on a hot day. Also, the stereo sounds great with CDs, but the radio needs stronger reception. Engine is almost as smooth as a honda 4.

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  New Car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By lbgirl - January 19 - 8:46 am

  I recently traded in my honda civic. I love my suzuki.

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  Initial impressions - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By city slicker - January 17 - 10:23 pm

  just bought mine so this quality/reliability rating is irrelevant. All the reviews suggest the only small X overs you can actually take off road are Subarus and the GV and the GV is incrementally better off road. That was my deciding factor, despite reliability concerns. Always owned Hondas which have been bullet proof. My X Sport has true 4X4 w/lower gearing. I wanted the 6 cylinder with its addtl off road capability, but they are sold out in my region. I NEEDED to buy, Suzuki has $3K rebate and Sept sales were awful so dealer was willing to deal so I decided not to wait for 2010s. The GV price was right, the interior is nice & it has some off road chops. well see about reliability.