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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  Death Trap - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By zmama - April 6 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Forenza in 2008. A month later 3 interior door handles broke off. Ever since we bought the car I have had to put air in the tires everyother day or so. Cheap Tires. Low Tire pressure signal constantly. Took car to dealership they replaced doorhandles, let me know about seatbelts, fixed those. About a month ago my transmission started slipping. Me and my daughter are in the vehicle all the time. The transmission trys to slip into another gear. We have almost been in SEVERAL accidents because of this. I say a prayer everytime we get in the car to make it to her school or the store safely. this care is NOT SAFE!!!!!

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  Suzuki quality lacks - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By ricbrk - April 5 - 8:33 pm

  This our third Suzuki, and by far this is nothing like the first two. The quality just is not there. We ended up leasing this Suzuki, with every intention of buying it when the lease was up. We will not, and we have another year on the lease. The radio reception is terrible. The vehicle rattles. Factory tires lasted 11,000 miles, my 48 year old wife is the only driver. The motor is noisy. Suzuki decided to design this 2.7 V-6 back to the 50s. Every 21,500 miles you have to have the valve lash adjusted at $1,200 a pop. Dont have it done and good bye warranty. The seals leak, belt tensioner pully lasts 15,000 miles, "plastic", and the original Suzuki quality isnt their. Wont own again.

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  Rear Tires Gone Bad - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By OhioDriver - March 20 - 4:16 am

  I agree with the 8-18 dated review, by Evelyn, all Vitara owners be on the look out for rear tires going bald, it is not a Yokohama problem, its an alignment issue. DEMAND a courtesy 4 wheel alignment on yours before 12,000 miles or you will be stuck spending $300 on two new rear tires. Mine was out on the alignment report a lot, from the factory, but its too late now.

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  too small - 2004 Suzuki Vitara
  By Ms. R - March 16 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is a good mode of transportation, but if you have children, it is not the car for you. The vehicles preformance is excellent, but it is just TOO SMALL.

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  Not what I Expect - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Rik - March 15 - 4:43 am

  With just 3,400 miles on it, the "air bag" light indicator in my 2005 Suzuki Verona came on while I was driving. I took it to the dealer where I bought it and I was told theyre too busy. I stressed to the technician / mechanic if he understand the consequences that may arise if something happens. The techs response is: "oh nothing will happen". I told this guy: "are you going to compensate my kids if something happens?" I asked for his manager and the owner of the dealership, and guess what: of course the response is: "theyre not in." Now, Im still driving the car with the airbag indicator lights on the dashboard and just waiting for what will happen. Hopefully Suzuki and the dealer will pay for it if something happens.

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  Good Start Bad Finish - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By hawtsauc3 - February 11 - 4:34 am

  The negative reviews on this are pretty accurate. I bought mine in 2008 (its a 2007) with 17500 miles on and it was great up until i paid it off. Over this last year its slowly deteriorated along with a massively depreciated value. The negative reviews say between 60k and 100k miles problems start and lo-and behold on my day off yesterday the check engine came on the the transmission started acting up. Got the system re-set and was told it will probably break again. Traded it in today. Its a decent care for the price but once problems start its all downhill.

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  Real off-roader - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Alex Povolotski - February 8 - 11:36 pm

  The car is a real off-roader in its class. Off the pavement, it beats RAV4, HR-V, Santa-Fe, and probably MItsubishi (though Im not sure about that one). Besides its off-road capabilities, its nothing else. Nothing! Its not a road warrior despite of interior creature comforts. I love the interior and visibility a lot but darn it is noisy! It is the engine noise Im talking about. You cant escape it, especially up the hill. It sounds like another second and the motor will explode out of the hood. You definitely have the feeling that the car is underpowered for its weight and the engine struggles a lot to pull all that weight up hill. Other than that, its a decent car full of defects.

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  2 1/2 years old -- a look back and ahead - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By SilverGirl - January 6 - 3:16 pm

  This is my second Suzuki, first one was an 1987 Samari, I had for 15 years. But the 2002 has had a few recalls. This vehicle has had all the recommended maintenance. It was a reliable and fun vehicle until 18000 miles. Now I am told the engine needs to be replaced. The dealer has had it for over two weeks with no estimated completion date. The dealer was quick to give me a rental car. New cars in the past were reliable, I do not know what has happened to the quality. I miss my Suzuki and hope it comes home soon! I think in the future I will lease a vehicle instead of buying....

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  Transmission and value - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By triniprinces76 - January 4 - 7:53 am

  I bought this car brand new back in September 2007. I was desperate for a car, and it was all that I could afford. I should have resorted to taking the city bus! Right around 60,000 the transmission started slipping, and the gears dont go in right away... And if youre fed up of it, bull still making payments, dont try to trade it in. Its worth NOTHING! Lesson learned...I will stick to the cars that have been tested time and time again.

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  Good for the price? - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By David - December 13 - 12:43 am

  I thought this car would be good on gas and boy was I wrong! The dealership said it would get better the more I drive it, but who wants to drive more than they have to with the price of gas as it is. I get about 325 to 360 miles per tankful, which averages about 25 to 28 mpg. I have the standard and when it is in 5th gear it sounds like it is going to take off. I think there should be an overdrive or sixth gear.