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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  Your Bang for your Buck - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Gene - April 27 - 3:13 pm

  I researched a lot of vehicles for my off-roadster. The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara came up just in the nick of time. I almost bought the 05 version. What can I say? Our daughter has one which is over ten years, 160,000 miles old. I just drove it cross country and it is still going strong. She now criss-crosses CA at here leisure while attending college over there. The 06 Premium model with 4WD that I have is rock solid, and with and attitude to boot, not to mention the great, affordable price. My only complaint is the short ratio in first gear. I drive the stick, but this is an all-terrain after all. Once in 5th gear, it zooms. It feels like a truck, yet it drives like a car. It is a great achievement on Suzukis part.

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  Value and then some - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Mark - April 20 - 9:33 am

  I have owned my Grand Vit since Aug.2003. Bought it new w/only 60 (demo) miles on it. I dont drive much ( thats why the LOW mileage after over 18 months. I live in Syracuse, NY. We get lots of crappy weather including SNOW (measured in feet) during the winter months. One of the standard features for this model is elect/defrost for the power mirrors. It also has electronic climate control for heat/AC and a Clarion sound system w/ subwoofer right under the drivers seat. I think those clipboard toting snobs at JD Power are being way too techy/harsh. This is an EXCELLENT VALUE for anyone wanting an SUV (4WD capable) with quite a few creature comforts- not a LEXUS but u can buy 2 Suzukis

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  Dicks SX4 - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Richard, NC - April 20 - 7:40 am

  The SX4 is a good looking vehicle. Folks are always asking what it is. Its great fun to drive. It has plenty of room and space for groceries and trips to the garden center and the beach. It has excellent-fitting and good-looking interior trim. My first tank of gas averaged 31 mpg!

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  Nice Ride - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Pud - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle 3 weeks and impressed with the Ride,Comfort, Style.

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  Never look innovation in the mouth - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By ROOKIE - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Having read other Aerio comments,I could not resist. One should never equate innovation with the commanality of competitors. I specifically mean unfavorable wording re:digital readout for speedo, tach and other essentials. The vehicle is uniquely different; like Heidi Klum. Hasta la proxima- Dont lift.

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  my second suzuki - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By nauj - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I traded a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara for a 2004 XL-7 Limited 2WD in Dec. 2003. The 99 was trouble free and very reliable and I have no reason to beleive that the 2004 will be any different. The ride is very quiet with no road noise, a killer stereo system, comfortable leather seats, a beautiful dash with wood grained accents and the feel is like Im driving something much more expensive. I would highly recommend that anyone looking for a mid size suv to look at and test drive the Suzuki. I think that they will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of vehicle for the money.

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  Best car i have driven - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Joshua - April 7 - 3:20 pm

  This is a great car and is fun to drive. The doors and dashboard on my 2006 Aerio SX do not rattle. The car has great gas mileage and this is a great car to buy and comes with a lot of standerd features.

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  Great Car - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By sm - April 2 - 8:43 am

  This is our second Forenza and we have been extremely happy with the car. It is very attractive inside and out. It has a comfortable ride and is very dependable. I like the addition of the side airbags and the reassurance of the great warranty, but we have not needed to use it yet. The car is a lot roomier inside, both in the front seat and the back, than you expect it be. When someone rides in the car with me for the first time, their comment is always how surprised they are at how roomy / comfortable / sharp it is. The Forenza is a comfortable road trip car, too!

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  What a great little SUV! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Barry - April 2 - 12:30 am

  What a surprising little SUV! The Grand Vitara is a HUGE advance for Suzuki. The external AND internal styling, materials, and fit and finish are absolutely top rate! My wife and I compared and drove all of its closest Japanese competitors - and it knocked the socks off them! The interior is particularly good - with a modern, robust, rattle and creak-free cockpit. Its legroom is surprisingly good, although the trunk is smaller than the Toyota RAV4s. Its gas mileage is perhaps not the best, but it is still quite acceptable. The 4-mode full-time AWD and the proper ladder-type chassis seem to be a more robust alternative and a cut above its more car-like SUV competitors, and the 7-year warranty is very reassuring. I HIGHLY recommended tihs vehicle!

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  Just try it and you will love it - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Gucio84 - April 1 - 3:56 pm

  Iwas waiting for that car for more than a month. First i want to get GTS AWD CVT but they dont make it yet so i put order for SLS AWD CVT. I took delivery on 2/18 and the car had 24 miles on it. Now i cant say to much about acceleration because i have 350miles and still i am brake in a car but driving on high way taking few seconds to get to 80mph. So far i can say car is cool and fun to drive. On snow car feel steady. Interior its nice and it has a lots of room. Car has a lot of features for that price. If you will buy different car with those futures you will pay much more.