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:

• 

  poor building/customerservice - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By naomi hunter - August 29 - 5:50 pm

  I have had this car since2005 ,ivehad motor rebuilt,electricty problems and 5times check engine light on. took to dealer .took to dealer one week to look for diagnosis.left withno transportation and the warranty allways not covered these problems.will be notifying bbb

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  JUNK - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By Ripped off - August 22 - 6:13 pm

  This car is junk! The cruise control does not work it jerks. The dealer cant find a problem. The CD player broke, the gas cap broke and now at 41,000 the ABS system went out and is another $2100. RUN away from this junk!

• 

  Piece of junk - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Ed - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in 2006. Since then its been in the shop at least 6 times. Ive had major issues with the transmission sensor. When the sensor goes bad the car does not move. I was driving this car to work at the speed limit of 50, then I had to stop for a light, when I was taking off the check engine light came on and the car had almost no power. If I knew then what I know now I would have opted for a better car. I would never purchase another Suzuki. I guess you get what you pay for. Oh and getting rid of it is much more difficult considering its worthless.

• 

  Get rid of it - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Sherrie - August 4 - 3:23 pm

  I was doing quite nicely with this car for about 1.5 years. Then the transmission started slipping. Dealer did diagnostic, found nothing. No Check Engine light ever came on. They unplugged battery to reset computer. Didnt work. Said was Transmission Range Sensor probably. So I bought the part for $60. Had a mechanic friend put it in as dealer wanted $230. Took 1/2 hour. Ran fine for about 20 miles then it slipped out of Drive and wont go back in. Its been sitting in my driveway. Dealer is clueless. Suzuki wont talk to you. I bought this car because it was in the cheapest price range I could afford at the time. I have learned my lesson. My inside door handle broke too.

• 

  Transmission - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By lilmama0o7 - July 30 - 5:07 am

  I just recently bought this car in nov 10 and it had 37,000 miles on it and now a month later the transmisson went out when my husband was driving home from work...... The paint on the handles is gone but they are still attached atleast. We noticed the indicator light for the tire pressure was on and so when checking the tires on the car werent the right size but after reading the other posts i can see why. I cant believe i just spent $8000 on a car ((all i had)) to have it break done with such a major issue a month later!

• 

  Will Not Ever Buy From Suzuki Again !!! - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By DevAuto - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I got the truck used, and within a month I had been rear-ended. One part to be replaced was the tailpipe, estimated cost $175-$200. After 5 months, many trips to the dealer, hours of agony, and countless phone calls to Suzuki, I discovered that the exhaust system on the 2002 XL-7 was redesigned, and to repair my vehicle, I would need to replace the ENTIRE exhaust system, cost about $2000. To make it worse, Suzuki cant produce a tail pipe for a truck that was in production at the time of the accident. I spoke with every level of customer support at Suzuki, nothing came of it. I do not want Suzuki to earn another penny of my money.

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  JUNK - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By floyd93 - June 25 - 1:48 am

  The rest of the reviews pretty much cover it, but so you dont think maybe there are just a few bad ones let me add my 2 cents, 1 cent more than I would pay for another Suzuki! This thing will rip through brakes and tires faster than I thought possible. Had a transmission issue at less than 30,000 miles that some how was not covered under their great warranty. Dont even bother with their customer relations department, that is a joke in itself. Another Transmission problem at 70,000 miles, oh this was covered by the warranty but somehow the radiator needed to be replaced at the end of the service. Dont ask me???

• 

  Great for 3 years... - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Cascades Hiker - June 5 - 12:36 pm

  I bought my G.V. new and enjoyed 3 years of problem-free transportation. At 38,000 miles, the engine failed and required significant work to replace a broken 2 part gear which drives the Cam. The work took more than 6 weeks to complete. 3 weeks after the vehicle was returned to me, it broke down again. Yet more engine work took 4 weeks to complete. Throughout this experience, I learned that Suzukis Customer Service is poor despite their claim of Americas best powertrain warranty. After deciding I could no longer rely on this vehicle, I traded it in for a 2009 Toyota RAV4. Never again will I purchase a Suzuki product.

• 

  Dont Buy it - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By GV Owner - May 27 - 10:00 am

  This car has had electronic problems since day one. Most recently, the air conditioner went out. After only a year and a half, they said the hoses leading to and from the condensor have coroded. In addition, the lights, speakers, and remote unlock features have been problems.

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  tranny failed 100,000 miles dont buy - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By aaron ott - May 21 - 4:40 am

  I was happy with this vehicle until the transmission failed. The mechanic pulled it apart and showed me the parts were cheap and paper thin. The customer service I received from corporate was terrible. Dont buy this car.