Suzuki is the master of "small but mighty." While they stopped selling cars in the US in 2013, their legacy lives on through the legendary Samurai and the cult-classic Sidekick. Famous for building lightweight, capable 4x4s that embarrass larger trucks on narrow trails, Suzuki proves you don't need size to have adventure.
Explore the current production vehicles.
The legendary, tiny, and utterly unstoppable 4x4. The Samurai is a cult classic and an off-road icon, a simple, lightweight 'mountain goat' of a vehicle that can conquer trails that leave bigger, more expensive trucks behind. A true giant-killer.
The fun-loving and incredibly capable compact 4x4. The Sidekick (later Vitara) was a pioneer of the small SUV segment, offering a more comfortable and civilized experience than the Samurai. A beloved adventure vehicle, also famous as the Geo Tracker.
The brilliant, critically acclaimed 'secret sport sedan.' The Kizashi was a masterpiece of chassis engineering with available AWD, praised for its near-luxury feel and incredible handling. It was the best car nobody bought and a final flash of genius from the brand.
The clever and versatile compact that was years ahead of its time. The SX4 was a pioneer, offering standard all-wheel drive and a 'crossover' ride height in a fun-to-drive package. The hatchback was a true, rally-inspired, all-weather weapon.
The legendary 'pocket rocket.' The Swift GT was a tiny, featherweight hot hatch with a high-revving, 16-valve, twin-cam engine. It was a giant-slayer in autocross and a pure, unfiltered expression of 90s performance fun. A true enthusiast's secret.
An unforgettable automotive oddity. The X-90 was a quirky, two-seat, T-top mini-SUV with a true 4x4 system. It was a bizarre and charmingly unique vehicle that has become a cult classic for its sheer, unapologetic weirdness. There's nothing else like it.
A tough and reliable pickup with a familiar face. The Equator was a rebadged version of the excellent Nissan Frontier, offering Suzuki's loyal dealer network a capable and proven mid-size truck in the brand's final years in the US.
The evolution of the small Suzuki SUV. The Grand Vitara grew into a more substantial and capable vehicle, with its final generation offering a unique-in-class, truck-based, rear-wheel-drive platform and even an available V6. A true, rugged compact SUV.
The practical and surprisingly spacious tall-roof compact. The Aerio, offered as a sedan or a versatile wagon/hatch, was known for its great visibility and available all-wheel drive, making it a clever and efficient choice for any weather.
The dependable and incredibly affordable compact of the 90s. The Esteem was a simple, honest, and reliable workhorse, especially in its surprisingly spacious wagon form. It represented the brand's commitment to delivering unbeatable value.
The Italian-designed, Korean-built value leaders. The Forenza sedan/wagon and Reno hatchback (rebadged Daewoos) were key parts of Suzuki's lineup in the 2000s, offering a host of standard features and European styling at an accessible price.
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In 2013, Suzuki filed for bankruptcy in the United States and stopped selling cars. It was a sad end for a brand that brought a unique flavor to American roads: cheap, cheerful, and virtually indestructible small cars. While they are still a massive player globally (especially in India and Japan), in the US, they are now a memory kept alive by a dedicated cult of off-roaders.
Suzuki specialized in one thing: making small things work. They started with looms, moved to motorcycles, and then applied that lightweight engineering to cars. They didn't build land yachts; they built mountain goats.
The Suzuki Samurai (introduced in 1985) was an instant hit. It was a tiny, convertible 4x4 that cost less than a Jeep Wrangler. It was everywhere.
Then came the scandal. In 1988, Consumer Reports published a review stating the Samurai "rolls over easily" during evasive maneuvers. Sales tanked overnight. Suzuki sued. The battle lasted for years. While the reputation of the car was damaged to the general public, off-roaders knew the truth: if you drive a tall, narrow 4x4 like a sports car, it will tip. But if you drive it on a trail, its light weight (2,000 lbs) allows it to float over mud and scramble up rocks that sink a heavy Jeep.
In the 90s, Suzuki partnered with GM to create the Suzuki Sidekick, also sold as the Geo Tracker (and later Chevy Tracker).
These were the official cars of 90s beach culture. Bright colors, soft tops, and surprisingly durable engines. They are now becoming collectible "radwood" classics, beloved for their simplicity and the fact that you can fix them with a hammer.
Right before they left the US, Suzuki built a sedan called the Kizashi. It was shockingâit was actually... great. It had a high-quality interior, great handling, and looked like a budget VW Jetta. But it was too little, too late. The dealer network was crumbling, and nobody thought to look at a Suzuki dealer for a mid-size sedan.
If you ask an American enthusiast what car they wish they could import today, the answer is often the Suzuki Jimny. It is the modern descendant of the Samuraiâa boxy, retro, honest 4x4. It is sold everywhere in the world except the US. It is a painful reminder of what we lost.
If you are looking for a Samurai or Sidekick:
Suzuki may be gone from US showrooms, but on the trails of Moab and the Rubicon, the little "S" badge still commands respect.
While Suzuki Motor USA, LLC remains a leader in motorcycles, ATVs, and marine engines, the company officially stopped selling automobiles in the United States in 2013. However, all original warranties continue to be honored, and parts/service for models like the Kizashi or SX4 are still available through a network of authorized service providers.
The 2026 Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is a global favorite for overlanding. It features a robust 1.5L K15B engine and the legendary ALLGRIP PRO 4WD system with a low-range transfer gear. Key technical specs for off-roading include:
The Suzuki e Vitara is the brandâs first global battery electric vehicle (BEV). Built on the "HEARTECT-e" platform, it features a 61 kWh battery providing a range of approximately 250 miles (WLTP).
It introduces the ALLGRIP-e system, which uses independent front and rear e-axles to provide precise 4WD traction, maintaining Suzukiâs rugged DNA in a zero-emission format.
Boosterjet Hybrid is Suzukiâs solution for combining turbocharged performance with efficiency. It pairs a direct-injection turbo engine with a 48V SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) mild-hybrid system.
This setup uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to assist the engine during acceleration and capture energy during braking, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and improving city fuel economy by up to 15%.
Yes, the 2026 Suzuki Swift offers a highly efficient CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) alongside the traditional 5-speed manual. The new Z12E 1.2L 3-cylinder engine is optimized for high torque at low speeds, making the automatic Swift an ideal choice for urban environments where fuel efficiency is a priority.
While both share the same platform and 1.4L Boosterjet engines, they serve different purposes:
In many global markets, including the UK and parts of Europe, Suzuki offers a Service Activated Warranty. This program extends the manufacturer warranty by 12 months or 9,000 miles every time you have your car serviced at an authorized dealer, up to a maximum of 10 years or 100,000 miles.
The latest Dual Sensor Brake Support II (DSBS II) uses a combination of a monocular camera and laser radar to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Features include:
Under current US "25-Year Rule" regulations, you cannot legally import a modern Suzuki Jimny for road use until it is 25 years old. However, some enthusiasts import them for off-road only use (farm or private land) or wait for older 1990s "Samurai" era models to become eligible for classic car status.
ALLGRIP Select allows the driver to choose from four modes using a push-and-turn dial on the center console: