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:

• 

  best buy - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By august steffen - May 26 - 2:00 am

  test drove most of the competition. in my estimation the aerio blew them away.

• 

  Great Car!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Bratt - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Im Not only an owner of two Suzukis Im also a Suzuki Salesman. I have done many hours of research on all the vehicles from toyota, to honda to the lesser knowns. The Suzuki stacks up well every time. Aside from that, I see many of them come in on trade always with the same story "I never had to do anything to it" Oil changes, tires and brakes, thats it!! I have personally seen more than my share of suzukis with more than 200,000 miles, 4 of them over 300,000 all telling of the low maintnenence.

• 

  What a Car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Clifford - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this about 2 months ago. The car is really fun to drive, is peppy, with PLENTY of room inside the vehicle and the trunk is huge and holds lots of items. The car is fully equiped however I paid extra for an arm rest between the front seats. I test drove the comparable Toyota, Ford and Honda. No comparison for the money, Suzuki is way out in front. If this car is advertized properly by the manufacturer, it will become a real rival to its competitors.

• 

  Out of 19 SUVs this is the one. - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By underpaid - May 21 - 10:00 am

  After reviewing and test driving 19 Midsize SUVs and owning Luxury SUVs for the last 5 years we can the conclusion the Suzuki is by far the best value in the market. Dimensions similar if not larger than Jeeps Grand Cherokee. Fuel economy at 22mpg hwy (24 observed). Luxury features in the EX with a True 4wd system on a truck frame with a car like ride all for $25k LOADED make this one choice you must look into. Pound for pound or dollar for dollar you will not find another vehicle that comes close. Rear leg room is actually better than specifications show, nearly 40" with a 510" driver.

• 

  Who wudda thunk? - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By Car Dealers Kid - May 20 - 9:30 am

  Edmunds Reviews gave us our first hint about the Suzuki Forenza Wagon and then when we saw the incredible design and size and all the standard options we were "goners." A fantastic warranty adds a big "plus" This car is truly, a "diamond in the rough"

• 

  Best Car Ever - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Angie Ward - May 17 - 4:46 pm

  I love this car. I have never had a problem with it and it has been driven back and forth across the country five times. My husband is an auto tech and is still surprised at the little amount of work that has had to be done. I have only had to have regular oil changes done.

• 

  Best Car I ever owned!!!!! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Alex - May 5 - 4:43 am

  Ive traded my Honda civic for this car and it was worth it!!! Immaculate reliability and I average 28 mpg city. I got this car for a little less than 12 thousand and I have been very satisfied!! My mom convinced me to get it because she had an Aerio with 267,000 miles with no problems! Great warranty! I call her Suzy and the girls like her too, they tell me shes cute. But overall, great car for the money, get yourself a Suzy and stop paying $20,000 + for Hondas and Toyotas, power windows are not even standard in the base price! This car is worth every penny and its Japanese quality. Could you imagine if it had more horsepower?

• 

  Our Four Wheel Motorcycle - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Dave W. - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Our little suzy is quite a nice ride! I fell in love with the black onyx paint, it is beautiful! This car is the most defect free car I have ever owned, my only real problem is with the radio which Suzuki didnt build. Great handling, good power, easy entry/exit, practical, fun, sporty, good looking etc. Some trim noise on coarse roads, Im running these down myself and fixing them. I love the digital dash, its simple and the speedo can be read at a glance. The car isnt perfect but it sure is close... we love it!

• 

  Very Good for the Money - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By BobP - May 2 - 10:00 am

  So far it has been a great SUV for me. It is the first I have owned. I looked at many others in this class and most were much more expensive, were less roomy, and the interior materials looked cheaper. The Suzuki was above average in all of these areas. The build quality is excellent. The engine and transmission are quiet and smooth. So far in mixed driving I am getting 20mph. There is plenty of cargo space and comfort.

• 

  Great CR-V replacement - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By LakebearOH - May 1 - 7:50 am

  I thought I would keep my Honda CR-V forever. It was 10 years old but I didnt like anything else out there (including the new ones). Sat in the SX4 Crossover at the Auto Show in Cleveland and fell in love. Im getting 28 MPG driving back and forth to work. I do wish it had a bigger gas tank because with the miles I drive (over 400 a week) I have to fill up twice a week, but otherwise I love this car. It is quieter than my Honda and rides very nice. Ive gotten quite a few complements on it and a lot of questions because there arent many Suzuki dealerships in the area.