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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  Good looking, strong little SUV - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ken - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I like this car. I live in Costa Rica and it is particularly well suited to local driving conditions, i.e. less high speed highway and more challenging rough country roads. I have driven this vehicle through dozens of rivers and through some very rough country and have found it inspires confidence in these conditions. It is a very solid machine with both frame and unibody construction.

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  Disappointment - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By Denny&Lorena - July 24 - 2:10 am

  Poor fuel milage for a car this size. Inherrant problems with tire wear and admitted problems with head gasket (loosing coolant)as pointed out by an authorized Suzuki service dept.

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  Amazed - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Wow - July 23 - 9:50 pm

  We use these cars at work to truck around parts into NYC and im amazed, i never thought we would be seeing 200k plus miles without an issue, especially when we beat the crud out of them. Some go as much as 10k before an oil change. we had 4 of them, one died at 225k miles the others are at 183k and 205k mpg at best is 18mpg-hwy and 14mpg combined. the one that died was due to being run without oil... which was jiffy lubes fault. (estimated 9k miles before its death without oil) The other two dont burn, leak, or make any odd noises. I wouldnt be shocked at seeing 300k miles...

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  drive lights cause my car to catch on fire - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By mgay - July 23 - 6:39 am

  on my 2007 forenza the drive lights would not turn off. drove kids to basketball practice and smelled smoke look down and fire was down by my leg. the wire harness had melted and caught on fire!! now car want start. another motoris had to spray fire extinquisher into car to put out fire what a mess !!! but problem is recall for car is not honored what a ripoff!!! i can not keep tires on car thread wear is crazy and air conditioner blows but not cold even though it is full of freon do not buy this car !!!!!!!!!! please anybody know of a recall other than seat belts

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  Excellent value, fun car - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Brett - July 23 - 3:16 am

  I have been a Kizashi owner for 300 miles now. I had never heard of or seen a Kizashi until I was in the local mall and they had one on display. I fell in love with the exterior look, and after a week of research, I owned one. So far I have zero buyers remorse. I am 37 years old and this car fits my style to a tee. It has a classy feel, yet it has a youthful spirit that makes it very fun to drive. The CVT transmission is slick and combined with the fine tuned suspension, this car feels like it is riding on air most of the time. Usually I stay away from a car in its first year of release, but I am happy I am one of the first to own one of these slick little rides.

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  Turned out to be a financial disaster. - 2001 Suzuki Vitara
  By mensacyclist - July 21 - 2:00 am

  AVOID!!!! I bought my Vitara in June of 01, got a "good deal", got an extended warranty and planned on keeping it for 7-8 years. Ive always bought Japanese in the past and would not consider anything else. At 56,000 miles the clutch went. The dealer wanted $993, local mechanic needed about $700. There are NO aftermarket parts for this car and the dealer parts are too expensive to be worth the while. I traded the Vitara in for $5000 less than I owed on it and rolled the debt into a Dodge truck. My $15500 Vitara was worth about $4000 just 2 1/2 years layer. Check the blue book.....youll be amazed at the deprciation.

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  An unexpected purchase - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Ron L. - July 16 - 12:40 am

  I wasnt expecting to buy, but 3 1/2 hours later drove off with my new 06 Grand Vitara with the luxury package. My father had owned a 93 Sidekick and best friend an old 87 Samurai, which are quite plebian by the Vitaras standards, but Suzuki always had a great reputation for its engines and drivetrains. I got a "killer deal" with $5,000 off the MSRP and they are putting in the XM from my old car into the Vitara for free. So, for $18,500 I have all the bells and whistles, moonroof, leather, nice stereo, etc... you just cant get this level of performance, engine, and a luxury package with any other SUV in its class or higher. All Japaneese parts and assembly is certainly a plus.

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  2004 Suzuki Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By etoufee - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my car. Its very roomy (nice hip room) and very comfortable inside. I love the driveability of this car. The looks are very classy. Most of all I love the standard features at this price point. I had nothing to add on and I got everything I wanted. I think it was a very good buy.

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  My microSUV - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By cd-IL - July 14 - 8:20 am

  This is a good all-weather hatchback car that wouldnt break your bank. It is the same car platform used in World Racing Championship series (w/ exception of turbo engine and vented hood) that had placed 7th at its initial entry. This is fun to drive and suspension is great for a small car and very stable when driven at high speed. I got 23 mpg of mixed driving which is not bad for an AWD car. My wife and I use this as our daily runabout car that is safe to drive through the worst winter conditions in Chicago. This little bug can trek on 5-in snow while most comparable priced sedans spins on the road. The all-weather capability and safety features had the most weight in our decision to buy.

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  Best bang for your buck! - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By mtloveskg - July 12 - 6:01 pm

  I tested a Sonata, Camry, Accord and Optima. After uears of buying just Honda and Kia I decided to take a chance on one of Japans top selling manufacturers. It paid off! I LOVE this car! Fun ride, great comfort for someone like me (64). Very peppy engine. Sweet in and out!