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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  My 06GV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By K10whosun - July 12 - 3:03 pm

  I really like this vehicle except for the tread wear that I have noticed on the tires. I also own an 07 same make and model. It also is having premature tread wear on the tires. I compared the tire wear with the 5 wheel and it is a big difference for only 20K miles. Other than the tread wear of the tires. The car is very quick in accelerating and looks very sporty. If holds a good bit of cargo as well.

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  Gas Guzzler - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By rey - July 11 - 1:03 am

  Ive had my Grand Vitara for six months now. It is totally a gas guzzler. Mine is only averaging 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on highways. The culprit is the high reving engine and confusing climate control system. It seems like the A/C always turns on. It is a total disappointment.

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  Bad Tranny, Shocks, & Gas Mileage, but Good Looks - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Kate2Dance - July 10 - 2:40 am

  I bought this car to commute to work and got decent gas mileage on highway, but horrible in town mileage of less than 20 MPG. At less than 30,000 miles, the transmission went bad and the rear shocks are knocking and rattling! Note this car was purchased to commute to work via a one hour drive on the interstate, so most of its mileage is highway! With a bad tranny and rear shocks at under 30,000 miles (most of which were highway) and very poor in town gas mileage, youre better off buying something else! Im buying a Honda next time, or anything else, for that matter!

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  2nd suzuki - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By resp - July 5 - 3:23 pm

  Getting 26.1 MPG in my first 3000 miles of mostly highway driving, pretty good for 4WD. I like the standard doohickeys, keyless entry, sunroof, 6 disk cd. Really good price, no competition from its competitors, especially with the 3000 incentive. Bought the SX4 last year, gave that to my daughter, upsized for more room for me.

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  best sport-cross for the money! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By jcargile - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my yellow Aerio SX two months ago and I have never had a regret. The room in such a tiny-looking car is unbelievable. Awesome standard features, like alloy wheele, a great 6-cd Clarion stereo, power everything, cruise, tilt, and storage galore. And ho-boy did I save money compared to a Protege5, Vibe, or Matrix. All of these cost so much more with the same equipment, yet do not have the pep of my Aerio.

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  Fun small car - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Jaime Ramirez - June 28 - 6:43 am

  My Suzuki Aerio is small, practical, and my kids love it. My wife drives it more the our SUV. It turns heads, and most of all with prices of gas now its a winner.

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  Fabulous! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By mossj13 - June 21 - 3:33 am

  I have had this vehicle for about a month now and cant find a single thing wrong yet. I have it in orange which is a spectacular color. I dont know why people complain about the fuel it just have a small tank costs me less then $40 to fill up who can ask for anything more! The hatchback is perfect for everything I put in. The fold up seats expand the trunk to immense amounts. This car is fabulous perfect, and it fits me like a glove. Might not be for you but it was for me!

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  Over 70K & Still Going - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By rjconde - June 20 - 10:00 am

  My XL7 has carried me many miles through storms and ice, great shift on the fly 4WD and lots of pep. My husband keeps wanting me to get a newer more powerful SUV, but my XL7 has all the power I need. It is reliable,economically efficient and affordably priced.

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  greatcar - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By averageguy - June 20 - 10:00 am

  I had been researching cars for several months looking for something different. I didnt realize that suzuki made cars. When my wife and I went to look at them in person we were instantly sold. Now I couldnt pry her from that car if I wanted to.

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  Great Little SUV - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By jack wright - June 19 - 5:00 pm

  My Suzuki is the best 4WD SUV that money can buy. I bought it used with 10,000 miles on it and know have 50,000. It has a trailer hitch, factory, and pulls my motorcycle great even in the mountains. Its off road performance is excellent. The factory tires, Brigestones, are only fair and lasted 30,000 miles. I found a worthy cheap replacement Kumos at only $350.00 for four. Its reliability has been excellent.