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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  Hate It - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By chris - August 5 - 9:13 pm

  I cant stand my Suzuki XL-7. I have had so many problems with it and the dealer refuses to fix any of them. I wish that I never bought it. I will never buy any other vehicle from Suzuki in my life and will tell all my friends not to either.

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  Dont waste your money - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By crissy03 - May 9 - 10:31 pm

  I too own a Suzuki Forenza 05 and as soon as it reached the 58,000 mile mark it began in a down spiral. Not to mention that the Suzuki dealer in my area couldnÂ’t even fix the problems which is pretty sad. It all began when the lock on my driverÂ’s side became unscrewed you could literally hear the lock rattling around in my car door of course I had to promptly get this issue fixed. Then I began having problems with my car not starting properly. I would try and start my car and it would immediately die, after a couple of rounds of this it would eventually start up the engine would sputter than it would began to drive smooth. The day this began I took the car into the dealer (by the way my che

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  Always in the shop! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By EJLowerre - April 25 - 8:06 am

  Bought this car to have a new reliable way to get to work (100miles/day). Within the first 5,000 miles we got a rattle in the dash, now at 30,500 it still is not fixed after 5 trips to the shop!, We also have had 5 check engine light experinces, replaced throttle body and control arm bushings. The car is at the dealers more than my driveway. I got a lemon off the lot! Will never buy another Forenza. even the floor mats wore out in less than 20,000 miles

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  Dont Buy This Car - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Mike - April 18 - 9:33 am

  Proceeding up a bridge in my Suzuki Forenza, the engine died taking out the power steering and brakes. The Forenza began to roll backwards into oncoming and merging traffic in a two lane construction area. I was able to avoid a serious multi-car accident with quick use of the emergency brake. The dealer wasnt immediately sure what went wrong and contacted Suzuki Tech Support. Sight unseen, they were told to order a list of parts including water pump, timing belt and complete head assembly. Suzuki denied the frequent occurrence of this failure, but knew the exact parts to replace? The water pump pulley had been installed backwards, allowing the timing belt to skip. This car is unfit for American roads. Recall it!

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  This car is good looking but is bad - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Ms Samuels - April 15 - 7:33 pm

  The first major repair bill cost me almost $400 for ABS Wheel on my drivers side front and it has been downhill all the way.

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  DONT MAKE THIS MISTAKE - 2002 Suzuki Esteem
  By mo - February 28 - 10:00 am

  3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE MY BREAKS WENT OUT. THE WHOLE RIGHT BREAK PAD CAME OFF AND MY CALIPER WAS DESTROYED. THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT MY BREAKS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR CONSTANTLY SHAKE WHEN I DRIVE. IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 53 DONT EXPECT TO GET COMFY IN THIS CAR. I PAID TOO MUCH FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE TRADE IN VALUE IN A JOKE. I CANT WAIT TO GET RID OF IT, I WILL BE SURE TO NEVER MAKE A GRAVE MISTAKE LIKE THIS AGAIN.

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  Regularly Check for a Recall - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By jackie_o - January 26 - 11:42 pm

  In one sense, I love my car. Because it is my car, and it looks okay. But thats where my affection for the Suzuki ends. I bought this in 2008 from Carmax with 10,000 miles on it. Within one week the transmission slipped and I learned about the faulty sensor. It was replaced. Resurfaced 2 mos. later, so it was reset. And again, and again. Have dealt w/ the "check engine" light and transmission slip for 5 years. No one has the answer nor can they fix it except temporarily. Its ridiculous. I keep expecting to see a recall to no avail. Also: Shoddy paint / flaking wheel cover. Cracked pillar trim (I often see this on passing Forenzas). Awful. Be not tempted by the price.

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  Went down hill quick... - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By raninator84 - January 23 - 12:14 am

  I bought this car new in 2008 for $17,800, looking for a reliable vehicle with AWD. The car was great to me for the first 60k miles. At around 70k I had a rod knock, it turned out that my motor had slipped two bearings, I took it to the dealer(under warranty) and the job required an entirely new short block! I have owned 5 vehicles and have never thrown a bearing! The car hit 100k I had a broken slave cylinder so out of warranty this was a $1300 job (over 2000 at the dealer!), and at 106k my engine has a rod knock again! I will be trading it in tomorrow for a camry to avoid the $3,000 it would take to fix again. I will never buy a Suzuki again, and if you do, listen for the rod knock!

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  Beware - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Dinslaken - January 18 - 11:30 pm

  This car has a lot of value for the money and the first 48,000 miles were trouble free. The engine needed oil frequently, which is not that bad, but despite more maintenance than required, the engine blew at 48,560 miles, then the transmission went at 54,000 miles. The axle seals were replaced twice, and the brakes need replacement about every 10,000 miles. The worst part is that Suzuki refused to honor their "Best Warranty" on both occasions due to "lack of proven component failure." According to other owners, this problem is increasing. Suzuki was sued for both instances, and we were reimbursed by court order. Other than that....nice car!

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  not all that great - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By cbird511 - January 14 - 1:39 am

  all 4 tires only lasted 1yr, 17 rims just makes it very expensive to replace tires and spare only had 16rim, 6 cd player ate my cds and to replace costs hundreds, replaced battery 3X already, replaced both headlights 3X already, replaced broken rear shock that caused the car to fishtail in bad weather, was told it was a 4WD when I bought it but wasnt, seats very uncomfortable and hard, dummy lights continue to come on randomly, brakes always squealed, interior light just fell into pieces, if your auto headlight switch is off, which is hidden behind the steering wheel, you can be driving at night with no tail lights. very dangerous, window cracks too easy. 2nd window cracking. Etc Etc..