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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  SuzukiValue - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By lucky - May 25 - 9:26 pm

  I extremely enjoy the smooth drive of my 4WD Suzuki XL-7 after driving a front wheel drive vehicles for the last 13 years. The vehicle as equipped, with everything is a great package. The sound system is outstanding! I particularly enjoy the heated leather seats. A comparable mid-size competing SUV would have been considerably more expensive. The XL-7 has sufficient power, but cannot compete with the 3.0 engines the competition offers. This vehicle takes me where I want to go comfortably and with all the luxury of a more costly vehicle. Ill forego the power for the luxury.

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  on to alaska - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By tazmania - May 25 - 2:00 am

  traded a chev astro van for this one because i wanted a 4x4 for my trip to alaska.- read more reviews than i can remember, but this car is true to them.- for now have been using it on the back roads of Baja Calif and no complaints.- Expect the gas milage to improve as the engine settles down.- my two fulled sized dogs ( boxers) love it.- the trunk holds all my camping gear and with the side opening door its easy to get to.- What I really like is its is not rounded like the other midsize suvs.- its lines are straight and sleek and it doesnt look oversized.-

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  a real winner - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By john starkey - May 15 - 12:03 pm

  Great little car agile and tough lots of fun to drive. Great in the snow. A real winner.

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  Great little/big truck - 2010 Suzuki Equator
  By douglas98012 - May 14 - 1:10 pm

  I just bought this truck and love it. Comparable to any truck in this category, except way better price and warranty. I am looking forward to putting this truck through its paces and to see how it will hold up. Will update in a year after i use it and abuse it the way a truck is supposed to be treated.

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  Solid Rear Wheel Drive SUV - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Gk. - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Very solid feel & ride. I have owned 3 XL-7s & this is my 3rd Grand Vitara & you can tell Suzuki has improved the interior noise greatly. I love sitting up high in the drivers seat & the leather seems to be a better quality than before. Smooth V-6. Suzuki needs to step it up a little to keep up with other makes that retail for less money that have auto windows up/down, power drivers/passengers seats, larger console & a larger screen navigation unit that is built into the dash. The biggest downfall to the Suzukis is the resale values. A loaded 2010 GV with very few miles can be purchased used for $18,000. The 0% interest, quality & styling keeps bringing me back to the Grand Vitaras.

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  Very satisfied - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By monk_bud - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought the AWD SLS 2010 Kizashi w/o GPS package in July. So far, really like the smooth drive, very comfortable interior. Has good acceleration and power. Havent used the AWD, yet. Will use it for ski trips in winter. The mpg is not quite as high as I thought it would be. The styling is sharp. I like having a unique car; easy to find in a big parking lot. Havent seen another Kizashi on the road.

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  Love this car!!! - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By Love this car!!! - May 4 - 10:33 am

  First I would like to know who reviewed this car? It cant be what I am driving because I love this car. I owned a honda civic for 2 years prior to this, also 2008 sedan model and the forenza drives better. My car payment went down 200 bucks! Smoother ride and quiet. I got 26mpg on my first gas tank. Not bad city/highway. If you are thinking of getting one of these cars, just get in it and drive. Youll be sold! 11k for a new car, nuts!!!

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  I enjoy my little wagon - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By burt weiss - May 2 - 11:50 pm

  Picked Aerio SX after much hands on comparison with Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. The Aerio has much more equipment, is much peppier up hills, and costs about $3,000 less. It might depreciate faster than the Toyota, but I plan to keep car until the end of its warranty, at least seven years. What I like most about the car is how it is so easy to get in and out of. You dont sit down in this car, you sit up - just slide right in and buckle up. It has lots of foot room and lots of headroom in the back. Does this height compromise cornering? As I do not do high speed chases through town, I havent noticed. There is an occasional creak coming from somewhere that I could do without. Also, I would have liked 16" wheels. This car has a great stereo. I can tune in out of town ball games.

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  Renos great mileage and Comfort - 2006 Suzuki Reno
  By Robert Garrison - May 1 - 1:13 am

  I kept looking at that Reno sitting up a pedistal outside the dearlership for about a month. The looks and the price was very attractive. I decided to stop and see how the performance was and to tell you the truth. I was actually surprised by what that 2.0 liter will do. If your not afraid to put your foot in it, it will get you down the road quick. Anyway, I am 62" and I fit in that car like Jim Carey says, "like a glovvvveee". It handles real well, and the mileage...OMG...I go to Illinois from Alabama and I dont stop for gas until I get to Champagne which is like 450 miles from Huntsville. I love this car. Great car!

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  Shes a looker - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By DEALERS DAUGHTER - April 29 - 12:33 pm

  As a auto dealers daughter, I found my Suzuki SX4 crossover on Edmunds.com-- what attracted my curiosity was the AWD option in a smaller size car. Very happy with my vehicle. Its built solidly and gives a safe handling ride--really look forward to another winter when my little baby purrs and passes all those big, expensive cars. I added a narrow side accent moulding to the car and I must say it is definitelly a show stopper. Gas mileage could be a bit better but its decent for an AWD and I would really like to chop off the top and have a sunroof. You wont be dissapointed in this car and will love to drive it and strut your stuff!