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 car for the money! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By arfle - September 8 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a well- appointed, attractive vehicle and dont want to break the bank this is it! The Verona wont break any land speed records but does just fine getting up to and maintaining legal highway speed. Gas mileage has been disappointing but Ive read it gets better as the engine breaks in. Interior on the EX trim model is awesome and the exterior styling is classy yet tastefully understated. Trunk is a bit small. Overall the vehicle has been great.

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  Some Good, Some Bad - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Scott - September 7 - 5:10 pm

  I love the features like Smart Key that you dont find on vehicles in this class. I have one serious gripe. The mechanical valve lifters need to be serviced ever other year. Ive heard it costs anywhere from $500 to $2400 out of our pockets! Thats unacceptable for a modern engine. The rest of the car makers ALL use hydraulic, maintenance-free lifters. My 67 Ford even had them. Suzuki saved $100 and we will be paying for it for years to come. My valves are already ticking with only 7,000 miles. Also, the MIL came on and the fuel gauge went to "E" so thats my first trip to the dealer for repair. The valve train ruins it for me. Cannot recommend this SUV for this reason. Try again, Suzuki.

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  Costa Rica Grande Vitari - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Carl Hallberg - September 7 - 3:23 am

  Hugs the road better than any other car especially in the rainy mountains. Love the constant 4 wheel drive. Gas mileage could be better. Love the keyless entry,

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  Watch out for the air compressor - 2002 Suzuki XL-7
  By LadyDarya - September 6 - 5:20 am

  My advice is to do serious research on the XL-7. The a/c compressor has a serious habit of freezing up and breaking the drive belt. This is not a cheap fix. I pulled the B04 relay and just went without the a/c. Brakes are not that great and go out frequently and trying to find someone outside the dealership to work on it is not fun! Oh and the 2001 and 2002 models tend to loose their gas door (as in it comes off).

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  cant wait til i get rid of it!! - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By tpiantedosi - September 4 - 12:23 am

  I own a 2001 XL7. I have had many problems from day one. Within the 1st few weeks I had a transmition leak. Which the dealer fixed. After only 2 years and 24000 miles the tires were bald. Though was told that it was not a suzuki problem. (though it is known that the tires are horrible on the XL7). I recently lost the gas door cover because the clamp inside rotted. Though again not the dealers problem. The 3rd row seat is unusable. Children barely fit never mind and adult. And the gas mileage is horrible. The inside is cheap looking. But it does have many cup holders and a light in the ashtray. I would not recommend this SUV. Instead get a Toyato Rav 4. Had that before.

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  Awesome for the field - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By arcy - September 3 - 7:20 pm

  I bought the SGV for its "bring-it-on" performance and it delivers. Nothing can match the looks and the 4-mode drive-- having AWD and low range-is awesome. The SGV is at home in the city or for light off-roading. Its handling, build, safety, fit and finish are at a par with its closest competitors.

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  Love My Suzuki Aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By CrazyKitten - September 3 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Aerio, its a great car, big enough to move anything I need to but small enough to be cute. I would recommend them to anyone.

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  I love it! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Gerardo1967 - September 3 - 10:00 am

  September 2004. We choose this car mostly for the price/features offered. We already put 3500 miles on it and is great!. At first the transmision drove me crazy but after a while, it "learned" and is working fine now. Gas mileage is another history. Driving Hwy between 80 and 90 miles/hr cant get more than 21MPG.

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  my daughter hates this car!!! - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By lisa - September 2 - 12:50 am

  we bought this car for our daughter in 6/07 with 23 miles, she nows hates this car we have had 3 bent rims , vibrations, repainted door handles, transmission jerking, gas light indicator out,plus several different other things wrong the old saying you get what you pay for is definitely true in the case of this car..very disappointing to make such a big purchase and it turn out to be such a lemon, it is cute, roomy ,comfortable and fairly reasonable on gas but we would NEVER by another suzuki. Good Luck to everyone

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  Better than it gets credit for - 2005 Suzuki Reno
  By Ben - August 30 - 6:50 pm

  Bought this car brand new in Feb. 2005 - now has 105K miles and Ive never paid for anything other than routine maintenance (although, routine maintenance is a bit expensive on this one, especially hard-to-find tires!) Best features of this car are handling, and interior roominess for its size (I am VERY tall, and this car is more comfortable to drive than some full-size sedans!) Engine performance is adequate at best, but despite this, the gas mileage is subpar for a car this size. (Mileage IS a lot better on the highway, where I do most of my driving)