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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  Suzuki - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By tommy68 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Excellant SUV in every respect

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  cheap interior - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By eric - September 29 - 12:16 pm

  My wife loves hers suv. But, the interior is so cheap. My wife bought the SUV while I was away in Iraq. I would have spend the extra the money and bought a nicer SUV. But, already we are having problems with the interior. We had to call Suzuski for 3 months to get the tech to approve the work on the car. finally the tech looked at the SUV to ok the interior. So, we could have the car fix. Yesterday, we found an problem with the interior.

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  Best value! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By scott777 - September 28 - 11:13 pm

  Purchased this vehicle for at least $4K less than a comparable CRV or RAV4, those with 4cyl. I was very happy with purchase price and the V6 engine being we were switching from an American SUV with a big V8. Plenty of power, drove it in Blue ridge mountains NC, no problem except a little to eager to downshift. Kids love it, my wife loves it (easy to park). Downside: factory tires stink; worn out after 25K miles. I came from a very large SUV and still cannot get used to the "sensitive" handling of such a short wheelbase. The back door always sounds like it didnt close right.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By samsx4 - September 28 - 9:43 pm

  I just bought my SX4 and am very happy with it. I went looking to purchase an affordable vehicle for my daily commute and once I drove the SX4 I was sold. I did a lot of research via the internet on affordable vehicles and had narrowed my planned purchase to a couple of models. The SX4 was not one of them because I didnt know it existed. I live in a mountainous area and am very pleased at the power and handling of the vehicle. I test drove a number of other vehicles and didnt find any others that came close that also offered AWD at this affordable of a price.

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  SX4 Magic! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Dubba D - September 28 - 12:23 pm

  If you are looking for an AWD that is the BEST bang for the buck, you cant beat the SX4. Where else can you get a car with all these options for this price? Cant do it. Suzuki finally hit a homerun here. When the secret is finally out of the bag, watch the supply and demand! Everywhere I go, people ask questions about this car. When I bought the car, I was like a lot of others who would question buying a Suzuki. Well, I dont have any more questions!

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  Dirt Road Commuter - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Robin - September 28 - 11:50 am

  I almost bought a Subaru RS instead of my Suzuki Aerio. Im glad that I didnt. I saved a bucket of cash and now own the best mountain dirt road long distance commuter Ive ever had. I am still in the honeymoon stage though. Give me some time to be more objective.

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  A Great Overlooked European Designed Car - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By B E - September 28 - 2:43 am

  When I came home with the Suzuki Reno, most people asked "What is that?" The first comment made by most people is "It looks very European." It truly is one of those cars that makes an appearnce in every French film. This car is a hidden treasure, consider that power windows, locks, mirrors, an am/fm/cd/ tape palyer, heated mirrors and side airbags all come standard on the base model! The 5 speed manual transmission is smooth, buttery, and matched to the 1.8 liter engine makes for a peppy little car!

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  I will miss it - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By njrp2000 - September 26 - 3:27 pm

  Bought the car with 2 miles on it. Drove it until she had 108,547 miles when the timing belt and pulley system broke taking along some valves and pistons with it while on a road trip. Worth more to fix than the cars value so I decided to junk it. This was the only "necessary" major repair work I had to do on the car. In 7 years I never had to change out the brakes, the clutch or anything else. Replaced the serpentine belt once and the battery just once. The only negative I have was the paint was faulty and the interior door handles broke very easily.

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  Beat Car I have Ever Owned - 2007 Suzuki Aerio
  By n/a - September 26 - 2:26 pm

  I was impressed with how roomy the inside of this car is. I am close to six feet tall and it has plenty of head and leg room! Also, I love its unique looks. It preforms great, though it does not do well on ice as it is a very light weight car. All in all, it is the best car that I have ever owned.

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  I love my cae - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rosie Mendoza - September 26 - 9:33 am

  This was my very first car that I have bought. I fell in love with from the beginning I never liked small sedans cause i just think they are too small and I need a lot of room. My car I have taken everywhere I travel at least twice a month to far places and my car was just so comfortable. I can drive 5 hrs on a full tank and I have a lot of room in my car to pack my luggage and my 3 dogs. It would have been great if they had an ipod plug but its ok. Other than that I LOVE MY CAR!