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:

• 

  Compact Car with a Midsize Feel - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By InHighEsteem - May 17 - 10:53 pm

  Original owner, 4000 enjoyable and trouble free miles. Previously owned an Esteem. That was a good small car but this is a significant improvement all around. Tall drivers should try it. Feels very secure in inclement weather. Really not a problem in high wind. No paint problems on this one (white pearl color). My first digital dash and adjusted easily to it. AC is adequate for me but some people may need more. So far mileage is low to mid 30s on highway and mid 20s round town. Fortunately this car runs just fine on Kroger 87 octane. So save your pennies!

• 

  Completly suprised - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By tlc64 - May 16 - 7:56 pm

  Always been a Honda guy but the more we use this little Kizashi the more we like it. Smooth and quiet and gets better with miles. Reminds me of what Honda used to be when they beat everybody else with the little details. Never dreamed i would ever buy a Suzuki but i did and it sure works great for us.

• 

  Good Basic Car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ann - May 14 - 1:00 pm

  The ownership of my Aerio has been very easy. Gas-up and drive. Of course, change the oil every 5,000 miles.

• 

  Fun commute - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Randal K. Smith - May 14 - 10:00 am

  An easy to drive, well handling car. Contrary to what Ive read, the engine has plenty of pep. So far Im averaging 29 mpg on mostly rural/in town driving.

• 

  WOW - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By cece331 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car. More upscale features than you would expect for the sticker price. Great warranty.

• 

  My experience with my XL7 - 2004 Suzuki XL-7
  By John Lowe - May 14 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is peppy and fun to drive it turns well and handles like a sport car. the suspension is solid and feels tough the transmission is smooth and quick. Great car great price!

• 

  A nice surprise - 2001 Suzuki XL-7
  By tetra - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Purchased used with 16000 miles. Very pleased with interior comfort and storage. Good power from the V6 and automatic. Ours is 4 wheel drive. Runs smooth and quiet. Seats are comfortable quiet interior. Versatel 3rd seat, rear air cond. Good looks. Solid and good build quality. A vehicle to review when purchasing another vehicle.

• 

  Excellent Stylish SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Nickie - April 30 - 11:30 pm

  The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a fabulous SUV. It has great handling and is easy to drive. They make it easy to fold down the rear seats, though the 2-seater is a bit heavy to pull up. It has such a smooth ride that I barely feel the ton of pot holes that they roads in my area have. I love how high up it is and how this height allows me to see the traffic situation from further up. It handles beautifully and is very responsive. The ride is so smooth I dont realize Im hitting 70-80 mph unless I look at speedometer. Its a sweet riding vehicle, very comfortable to drive and I have back and leg problems. It makes being stuck in rush hour a way better experience.

• 

  Suzuki Aerio RULES this CLASS!!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Gkxp - April 24 - 10:00 am

  The Aerios interior finish/materials feel very Germanic (Golf-like), the engine is very quick off the line and smooth at 80MPH Highway Speeds, the digital dash is GREAT! The seats are all firm and very supportive and there is plenty of room. There is also a TIMING CHAIN, not a timing belt as well as the 7 Year/100000 Mile Powertrain Warranty also. I would just recommend to anyone, before buying anything else in this class to cross- shop this car, because I think you would find it to outperform the others in most categories, aside from the Aerio feeling more upscale and substantial than its price would suggest.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By sodgod - April 22 - 6:53 pm

  I had originally went to dealership to look at SX-4 crossover. Liked it, but wife thought we needed something a little bigger. I agreed, so we decided on the GV. Great driving vehicle to commute to work, great around town and on interstate, easy to park, and holds plenty of stuff. Put in a K&N air filter and averaging around 24 mpg mixed driving. Looked at CRV, RAV 4 and Escape. Went with the Suzuki and thus far no regrets.