Suzuki History

Suzuki has been in existence for about 100 years, but has only been selling cars in the U.S. since the mid 1980s. American consumers were first introduced to Suzuki-built automobiles thanks to GM, which imported the company's small cars and sold them under the Geo and Chevrolet badges.

The first model made available with the company's own badge was the Suzuki Samurai, a little SUV that lacked creature comforts but continues to impress with its off road abilities, despite being discontinued years ago. Other early models included the Suzuki Swift (also sold as the Geo Metro), the Suzuki Sidekick small SUV that arrived in the late 1980s, and the Suzuki Esteem sedan and wagon.

As time went on, the brand's lineup was upgraded with the quirky two-door Suzuki X-90, and a new model known as the Suzuki Vitara that replaced the Sidekick. A fancier version dubbed the Suzuki Grand Vitara also became available. What we know today as the Suzuki XL7 started out in the early 2000s as the Grand Vitara XL-7. That was followed by the Suzuki Aerio, which like the Esteem, was available in sedan and wagon variants, but was made distinct by its all-wheel-drive option. The larger Suzuki Forenza (not to be confused with the Oldsmobile Forenza) was a rebadged Daewoo brought to the company through its relationship with GM, a relationship that also resulted in models like the Suzuki Verona and Suzuki Reno.