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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  Great look,great value! - 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By johnny89 - October 16 - 9:41 am

  If you want a vehicle thats value-priced,good to look at,and fun to drive,I highly reccomend the 2011 grand vitara.Ive owned mine for 2 weeks and I love it!

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  The Grand Vitara is GRAND - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Brian O - October 11 - 1:10 pm

  After owning a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, I was very pleased with the quality and capabilities of the Suzuki SUVs. My Sidekick, which I refuse to sell now serves as my daily driver and offroad trail vehicle (extensively modified). The Grand Vitara took the sidekick platform and made an already great vehicle that much greater. A more plush ride, major interior improvements and amenities, as well as a highly upgraded engine all make the Grand Vitara awesome. There are a plethora of other Mini SUVs out there. What you wont find on about 80% of the others is a true 4x4 (not AWD), a low range transfer case, and a body of frame. If your travel offroad, get the Grand Vitara.

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  Sucks - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
  By moniques - October 11 - 1:14 am

  This is the worst car...I have a 2006 and I have had it since 2008...it only had 20000 and I have put power steering pump-900..trans senstors--400..3 timing belts--150each...3 oil leaks--total of 450 and now the timing chain has poped and i need a new engine and cant afford it..thanks Suzuki..oh and the door handles break inside.. and it has bad gas mil and the tires wear down... Whoo I wish I could throw it back at the dealers..if you ever see me driving another Suzuki please know I must of won it

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  Ive Seen and Driven Better - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By einakin - October 10 - 12:46 pm

  Over all the xl-7 is not too bad, but the drivers seat area is too narrrow. Also the floor heat is very bad doesnt hardly work even. And that is not a good thing for living in Central New York. Alot of people are complaining about the access of the oil filter. It is a bit of a pain but oce you get the hag of it it isnt as bad.

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By Misty - October 10 - 1:23 am

  In this case my car is a lemon. A few months after i purchased the power steering rack went out covered under a warranty. Dec 09 Bolt in idler pulley snapped which caused my timing belt to shred which caused 12 valves to bend. Need a new motor $3,000.00 later. Valve cover leaks a little bit of oil. Other than that the car is great. But needless to say once i pay it off im not going straight to a suzuki dealership.

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  2000 vitara convertible - 2000 Suzuki Vitara
  By Mindy - October 8 - 10:00 am

  has been in shop eight times for oil leak/ manual transmission sticks in first gear, and grinds into reverse. interior scratches easy. no good for anybody over six ft tall!!

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  Brilliant Car! - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By gardengroveguy - October 8 - 12:36 am

  I bought a Suzuki Grand Vitara, but bought my wife the SX4. We loved with the unique and well designed body, the fully equipped interior, and the 4 wheel drive. All the safety equipment, all the amenities, and quality that you can see and feel. Fiat helped to design the body, so it has a true Euro look, sets it apart from the ugly "econo-boxes" out there. It has spirited handling and an engine that sings to you! Its gas mileage is so-so, but we knew that before we bought. We got it in the copper color, it really stands out and gets stares! The sound system is great, the seats and comfort are great, and everything is as tight as a drum. It is built in Japan, so the assembly is laser accurate. And check the long, no deducible warranty!

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  Good Buy - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By David - October 7 - 2:13 am

  I will have to say that despite all of the negative reviews on the gas milleage, mine does great. I usually get 25 mpg which is a giant step up from a SUV that only got 16-17 mpg. I mainly drive city too. The car is inexpensive b/c thats how it was built. So naturally there are downsides to it. The one I hate the most is the paint wearing out on most everything on the interior. It just would have been better to leave it the grey or tan plastic colors undernear. There is one more thing I dont like -- whenever I start it up and immediately shift gears, it will "jump" really quick and then will return to normal. Other than the above complaints, its been a great car so far.

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  Great looking, but whatsup with the a/c? - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By fastdriverNleather - October 5 - 5:53 pm

  Nice clean lines easy to drive , even for me being 6ft3.lots of room. this car doesnt wear you out on long road trips . Ive driven it to las vegas from LA, was very smooth, quiet and relaxing to drive. even at speeds in excess of 80mph..

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR WHATEVER YOU DO! - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
  By mckinnley - October 3 - 10:22 am

  I have had this car for a little less than 2 years now, bought it in 2010 with about 35k on the engine. I have gotten regular oil changes by a friend at his home of mine who used to own a shop for years. I have taken good care of the motor just blew out of nowhere. I got to school one morning and it just started knocking and now I have to spend 4k on a new engine! It is still under warranty but they want reciepts for oil changes when I got mine done for free. So basically im screwed even though the car was taken care of. Many other problems. headlights burned out, transmission slipping, windows not powering right, AC this summer(I fixed), bateries run out quick..... Just dont buy it!!!!!!!!!