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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  Love This Vitara - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By yamahar6 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Verything is in the vitara. I like tail lights.

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  Sedan of the best value - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By 1688picky - October 27 - 10:00 am

  With the competitive pricing, you get this competent, 6 cylinder car well below Hondas and Toyotas compact/sub- compact offerings.

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  Very Happy - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Chrisnole - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This car provides a very smooth drive and is really worth looking at as an alternative to the Altima or Camry. You get more bang for your buck. We have the EX with all the bells and whistles and got it for less than the above cars without compromising quality. The verona is very roomy, comfortable and overall a good car. The acceleration is something to get used to and really the only negative thing I can report on, but its not enough to make me not recommed this car.

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  Interior Problems - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Gladys - October 26 - 12:23 am

  Me and my husband bought this car in 2007 and was very satisfy at first. Later, our door handles start falling off, we took it to the dealer to be repaired, and they told us this problem was not under warranty. At this point, we are very dissatisfied.

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  best car for the buck - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Christo - October 25 - 10:00 am

  The Aerio GS is a great car , fun to drive . With the new 7/100000 power train warranty should you ever worry , the body is stylish and the exterior is unique .The only problem is the car is NEW !NO AFTER MARKET parts.I went to have the oil changed to find out the local oil change garage didnt have the car in the system .I am also looking to change the fog bulbs to yellow , but cant find a aftermarket part #, only the gunuine suzuki part #. But DAMN the car is fun to drive.My car is 1 month old but i will get back to this in 6 months for a follow up.

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  100% satisfied...again - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By mike - October 25 - 2:03 am

  No manufacturer gives you more for the money than Suzuki. This is my 7th Suzuki 4x4. All were excellent, trouble free vehicles and this is by far the best yet. My advice is to drive every small SUV out there and then test drive a Suzuki. Im confident that you will be amazed.

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  i loved it - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By er1ca2000 - October 23 - 3:26 pm

  I was actually a little skeptical of buying an SUV but this little thing had changed my mind. It had plenty of room for all our kids stuff, roomy backseat and windows that roll all the way down in the back. It is fun to drive and handles very well for an SUV. I do wish that it got better gas mileage but that is a factor that i am willing to sacrifice. It looks cute, and i LOVE driving it in the mud puddles around the house. Most of the time it is a muddy mess but after a trip to car wash it reveals perfect paint. NO fading or anything else. I might mention it is black. My opinion... 2 thumbs way up. We will buy another if we are ever able to give this one up. 44000 miles at purchase

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  Suzuki Reno 05 Problems! - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Tom - October 23 - 3:20 am

  Bought car in 08/2006. Right after purchase the serpentine belt needed replaced. After one month (9/06) the steering joint had to be replaced, I also had an oil leak and the valve cover gasket needed replaced. 11/06 I had to have the power steering system flushed and the fuel emission serviced. 1/07 The following needed replaced: Front strut upper mountings, bearings, and sway bar links. Luckily most of these repairs were covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. I had a brake from repairs until 5/08, the power steering sensor had to be replaced along with the drivers seat assembly. Ive had some starting and idling issues and now I have a really hard time starting it. No power.

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  Fun To Drive - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Dave - October 23 - 1:50 am

  The 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a very fun to drive vehicle with great visibility on the highway. It is a real 4x4 that works off road. It tows easy behind my motorhome. Only thing I would change is the factory tires which have poor traction and wear fast.

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  Reliable Suzuki XL-7 - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By Linda F. Burgos - October 21 - 3:00 pm

  My 2001 Suzuki XL-7 is a good vehicle for taking kids from Point A to Point B. I have never had a single mechanical problem. The four wheel drive is excellent. And, I like the versatility of the third row seat. However, better quality interior materials would be nice to consider as a future improvement. My son frequently rested his feet on the rear passenger seat when he was a toddler so that the pocket on the back seat ripped open. In my opinion, for a car that is marketed to moms with kids, the seat ripped a little too easily. And, the plastic trim around the sunroof has an annoying habit of coming loose. Despite these minor issues, it is a solid car.