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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  Best Buy for the Money! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By mike a - June 21 - 3:20 am

  Before we bought, we test drove the CR-V, RAV4, and Forester. The Gran Vitara, had the roomiest interior and is very comfortable. It I am 6 feet tall and the wife is 410", and to find a small SUV that would be comfortable for the both of us was not easy. The Grand Vitara, fit like a glove! It was also the quietest on the road, had a 6-cylinder engine for extra power, and it has plenty of that. It also had other features that we wanted like air bags, front and side, electronic transfer case, and ESP with traction control. My wife swears the ESP saved her from a wreck one day when she had to swerve to miss a car that had pulled out in front of her! This vehicle has great fit and finish, this one is a keeper!

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  Best SUV for the Price - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Euclid Oh - June 19 - 3:36 pm

  We were looking for a midsized SUV to replace a Caravan. The Suzuki actually did better than we ever expected. The truck came with full power and rear AC as well as seats 7. The engine is very peppy for its engine size, but is kind of fuel thirsty. Ours now has 60k, but actually 48k. If you have a Suzuki, the trip odometer may not be accurate. Other than this, this was one of the best vehicle purchases that I made, in a list that includes Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, and others that I have owned.

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  Unique and an absolute joy to drive - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Tomgunn - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best affordable AWD car $ for $. My expectations were far exceeded.

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  Good buy for the average driver - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Phillip Myers - June 17 - 8:20 am

  I just purchased my Reno a month ago and have really enjoyed driving it. While not as good as my Focus in the handling department, the ride quality seems to be on par. Once you get used to the not so tight handling, you can have fun in this car. I would recommend the Reno to anyone who wants a comfortable, affordable vehicle for the daily commute. The standard features are awesome, but I would recommend skipping the automatic, unless you like slow acceleration and a buzzy engine.

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  I love my 2005 Suzuki Forenza Wagon EX - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By FGS - June 16 - 2:13 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter to drive to college in Tampa while living in Tampa. She put 150 miles of highway driving every day for four years. She graduated and gave it back to me after graduation with 102K miles. There were a couple of highway accidents, two recalls and all the required maintenance checks, but overall this car is outstanding for the price I paid. If it had Bluetooth technology, it would walk on water. I am convinced that this car could not do better for its price tag. Yes, theres that Air Bag light issue, but hey, nobodys perfect. I rate it five stars. Too bad they discontinued making it. It was a great little station wagon with all the comforts of a luxury sedan.

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  MY VERONA - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By nace818 - June 13 - 6:53 pm

  My Verona has 9000 trouble-free miles on it. I really do love this car. I have read alot of negative comments about the car, but none of them seem to apply, at least not to mine. I think the design is great both interior and exterior. Im really surprised I dont see more of them on the road. Its alot of car for the money. If Suzuki would do more advertising for it, I think it would be a better seller. My advice would be buy one and you will enjoy it.

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  Great Buy! - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By jimayaay - June 13 - 10:00 am

  The XL-7 is exactly what we needed at an excellent price. We have researched test drove and priced numerous vehicles with the seven seat capacity including the Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Montero, Volvo XC-90, and the Infiniti QX-4. Aside from the XC-90 the Suzuki XL-7 is technically comparable except for a few minor conveniences. Also in price the XL-7 is practically half the price of the XC-90 which was the biggest sellin point for our household. All in all we find the XL-7 an excellent buy for a solid and safe SUV.

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  Best Little Wagon for Moms - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By kspage - June 10 - 1:03 pm

  I love this car! When I was shopping for a new car that was sporty but also practical for me and my toddler, I never even knew about this car. But after my Mom took me to a Suzuki dealership, which was unusual because I am a Honda lover, I immediately fell in love with the look of the Aerio. Because I am in my 20s, I didnt want a minivan but also didnt want to revisit my teenie bopper days. Its a hip car with a mature feel.

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  My 4th Suzuki...another winner - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By ric1000 - June 10 - 12:40 am

  As a long time Suzuki owner, I would have been disappointed at anything less than a great value. I was not. The 2006 Suzuki Forenza reminded me why I bought my 2nd and 3rd Suzukis (and now my 4th). It has an excellent price, excellent reliability, all in a beautiful package. I am sure that this is not my last Suzuki.

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  2002 Suzuki Aerio SX wagon - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By puce - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Have had no problems. comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Not out to race with corvettes but performance beat the other i tried (Toyota,Honda,Pontiac) and pricing great. Great car for the money and very reliable.