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:

• 

  Poor exterior - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By OkByMe - September 19 - 6:10 am

  The car is fun to drive and has been reliable. I like the standard features. Ive put an additional 70,000 without a mechanical problem, however the body integrity is poor. The bumber is too low and scapes on too many things. The bumber is ready to fall off. Also the 6 CD play no longer works, some dash lights dont work properly. Gas mileage is so-so. It has worked well but I would look at a Toyota first.

• 

  Best Ride for the Best Price - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By K Williams - September 18 - 11:03 pm

  I had not heard of the Suzuki Verona before going to the dealership. Once I saw the cars exterior, I knew I just had to take it for a test drive. It drives very smoothly. It feels like you are riding on air! The interior of the car is the best Ive seen in midsize cars. It has many safety features to accomodate children and the child at heart. I have been so pleased with my Verona I tell all my friends to test drive one for an experience of a lifetime. I would buy another Suzuki in a heartbeat!!!

• 

  Best Ride for the Best Price - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By K Williams - September 18 - 6:20 pm

  I had not heard of the Suzuki Verona before going to the dealership. Once I saw the cars exterior, I knew I just had to take it for a test drive. It drives very smoothly. It feels like you are riding on air! The interior of the car is the best Ive seen in midsize cars. It has many safety features to accomodate children and the child at heart. I have been so pleased with my Verona I tell all my friends to test drive one for an experience of a lifetime. I would buy another Suzuki in a heartbeat!!!

• 

  Like it way more than I thought I would. - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Richard55 - September 17 - 8:03 pm

  I was looking for a long warranty AND the most affordable new 4WD I could find. I got lucky that the SX4 was also a solid and enjoyable ride. Some reviewers criticize the heavier weight than the Fit or Versa. The up side on this is that we dont get blown around in wind or around large trucks at speed. Solid footprint, which for safetys sake, Ill take anytime. The car seems tight (Ive been a BMW/Audi/VW addict for 20 years), the seating position is top shelf, and the minimalist styling is esthetically on mark. I do have some gripes, but Ill nail those down later. I went for the Sport, which options it up, then added XM, iPod, armrest and the factory winter mats, ending up at almost $18k.

• 

  Dont buy this car! - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By pappy - September 15 - 4:23 pm

  When I bought this car new, it didnt seem too bad, but man was I mistaken! This car is rough and shoddy. After the initial 500 miles were put on, any semblance of confidence in it was worn off. Ill spare the details and just go on to two main points. First, the value has dropped like a rock. Second, anytime something needs done to this car, you better be ready to wait for the part to come in and be ready to pay through the nose for it. I just got the brakes done - discs were $90/each and I had to wait a week. Call your tire stores and find out how many of them stock 195/55R15 tires. Few, if any will Im sure. Save some dough and frustration: buy a 5 year old Civic.

• 

  confort car - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By danmar37 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  we rented a similar car for our trip to San diego, a we loved it, after a few month we decided to buy a new xl7 4x4.

• 

  Excellent Do-All Car - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Ferris - September 13 - 9:03 pm

  This is an excellent, do-everything car. Its roomy, quiet, fun to drive (manual transmission), gets decent gas mileage (27 overall, up to 32 on the highway), has 4 wheel drive, has comfortable seats, and is just a pleasure to own. The fit and finish are very good. The dash top is a textured hard plastic, but it works perfectly and will never peel or crack due to sun damage over the years. And yes, this quite possibly is a car that you will own for a long, long time. The handling is sure footed, the suspension soaks up the bumps for the most part. The seating position is comfortable and the dash layout is intuitive. There are no silly gimmicks, it just works!

• 

  Vitaria - 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By daleyk - September 12 - 10:00 am

  good in the snow.

• 

  great car - 2007 Suzuki Reno
  By comgetsum - September 10 - 10:13 am

  I bought my car in April of 07 when I got it it was bone stock I got the blue metallic Ive since added 18wheels intake, exhaust, chip, bigger injectors and ported and polished the intake. Have not had one issue with this car and im a abid street racer I keep up with evos and stis this is awesome grand stock its very slow but for the money u get lots of standard features **** the Ford Focus there base modek car has crank handles to roll up the Windows. To bad they they dont make the Reno or forenza anymore I think Suzuki was dumb for recalling them.

• 

  SO FAR SO GOOD - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By BIG LIMO DADDY - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS WAGON THE FIRST DAY I SAW IT @ THE AUTO SHOW.LOTS OF LEG&HEAD ROOM.I DRIVE 190 HARD MILES PER DAY AND I LOVE IT,THE ENGINE SCREAMS FOR MORE.I ADDED A COLD AIR FILTER AND A HIGH FLOW EXHAUST GAINED 7 MPG.CANT SAY MUCH MORE THAN I LOVE IT. CANT WAIT TO DRIVE IT TO WORK EVERYDAY.