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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  Wow talk about bang for my buck!! - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Richard Steere - May 21 - 10:43 am

  Lets start with options that are worth my money. I went with the base model and theres nothing base about it! Almost power everything, an unbeatable warranty, after I compared it to Hyundais. Its dependable, comfortable and affordable, I couldnt ask for more in quality and in service! Thank you Suzuki!

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  Almost perfect - 2001 Suzuki Vitara
  By SuperHippo - May 21 - 7:00 am

  Interior: The driver seat is big and extremely easy to get into and out of, something that Ford has never been able to accomplish. All controls are within easy reach, and spread out enough that they are easy to find without loooking. Air controls are straightforward, and easy to use. Exterior: I like it. Nowhere near as cool as the Saturn VUE, but you get what you pay for. I prefer the side opening rear tailgate rather than the hatchback style.

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  Check this truck out! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Rafael H - May 19 - 11:23 pm

  I just got the 2006 Grand Vitara. I am amazed at all the stuff that comes with this truck and the price! I got mine with the premium package. I love the keyless entry system. The stereo is relly nice. The leather and the wood panels make it feel more expensive than it is.

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  door handles break - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By doggett - May 17 - 4:06 pm

  I love this car EXCEPT that the door handles have broken 3 times!!! And, the paint on my door handles is peeling off! We bought this 2007 model in 2008 with a new full warranty, so the door handles have been replaced for free each time. But, it is a pain to schedule and appointment to have it done. Also, I feel like the dealership thinks Im crazy and that I am actually abusing the door handles and breaking them. But, I am paying the bill each month and I expect it to work properly. I must say I am very happy with this car- especially the air conditioning, speed and gas mileage. I was worth every penny!!

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  This car wouldnt die - 1996 Suzuki Sidekick
  By Gentle Ben - May 14 - 2:53 pm

  I loved this car. I had the full SUV, hardtop, 4dr version. Out of date looking even in 96. Sadly I did not take very good care of this vehicle but the car hung very tough with the neglect. In the 8 years I owned it I had to replace a battery and adjust the clutch linkage and weld a broken clutch pedal. Thats it. ... Good MPG (27 hwy or city), extremely reliable, utilitarian, tough to the bone, fun. But boxy, square edges and narrow frame made it a whipsaw on the highway. Also sheet metal is paper thin and seemingly weak structure may not make this a family type / safe vehicle. Very spartan inside and an odd-looking vehicle outside. But... my favorite car ever.

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  A good car stuffed up by engineers - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By ozisx4 - May 14 - 5:33 am

  When I studied engineering 30 years ago, one of the first things we were taught was to make frequently serviced components easily accessible. Obviously the engineers at Suzuki did not go to the same university !, try changing the cigarette lighter fuse, you have to dismantle the facia or be a contortionist, try to replace the oil filter, almost impossible to undo and retighten without special tools ! Love the car but hate working on it, also a problem with the paint on the hood, measles !!! Suzuki maintain that they are stone chips despite no similar spots on the guards etc. Suzuki aftersales service SUCKS.

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  Overall a nice, fun, 4WD SUV - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By tishpit1 - May 14 - 2:50 am

  My father and I co-own this car, bought new, to handle the treacherous roads of Pittsburgh in the winter. It handles very sporty, good tire grip, great in turns. Mileage was a dismal 16 MPG in Pa., but since moving to Florida, now getting 27.6 MPG, but all level driving. Feels roomy up front, tight in rear, and more cargo room than a sedan, but not as good as it could be (fold flat rear seat needed!). Peppy around town and on highway, CVT does a good job. Interior is rather bland and radio quality is poor. But my biggest gripe is regarding the front "A" pillars... causes DANGEROUS blind spots. Poor design on that, and must lean forward and back to see around them. Seats are hard too.

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  Off-Roading Queen - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By salah el asmaay - May 14 - 1:30 am

  My experience with the 2005 Suzuki XL-7 has been positive since the start. I was able to negotiate $4,500 of its MSRP which was already low, using a $2,000 suzuki rebate and a $2,000 down payment match from dealer. I paid only $20,450 for a 2005 LX-4WD 7 seats with an automatic transmission. I was mainly interested in this truck because of to my loyality to its sport bike line of products, which are the best in the industry. I went on to discover that the quality engineering and stylish design of Suzukis bikes carries over to its SUVs. After folding the two back seats, I had enough cargo space to move everything that I needed for my dorm room. This truck Drives just like a luxury sedan with off-road capability.

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  The Best Car I Have Ever Owned! - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By shannon - May 9 - 6:40 am

  I live in the mountains with snow and fog during winter. I drive 65 miles a day to work in the flat lands. This has been the most dependable car that Ive ever owned. When I totaled it six months later, it had 134,500 miles on it. I cried. Im definately buying another Suzuki Grand Vitara!

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  Bad Company - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By cliffmc - May 8 - 5:38 am

  We bought 2 Suzuki Forenzas from Dealership in New Smyrna Beach, FL. the first brand new and the second used. The A/C climate controls broke on both, only 43,000 miles on the second one! Right after warrantys were over of course! A $300.00 part! Had to pay the Dealership $90.00 to look at it and say "yep its broke" so they could send a report to the Manufacture in the hopes of fixing it free of charge or some kind of help? But of coarse they declined to help at all! This Multi Million Dollar company screwed over a loyal customer for $300.00!! The Dealership has never been very helpful or that friendly after you buy! I Would highly recommend everyone to stay away from Suzuki!! Built cheap!