Years ago we would laugh and point a Honda and Suzuki motorcycles as they would go by. We called them Rice Rockets, because they came from Japan. Today, Honda and Suzuki are laughing at us. They make much more than motorcycles, and we as consumers are buying their products. Name a vehicle with two or four wheels, it very likely Suzuki makes one.
Periodically, I have been driving by this Suzuki car dealership. Out front is the big letter S and the name Suzuki under it. When I look in their direction, I don’t see any motorcycles. All I see is cars. I look hard to a motorcycles in their showroom, but there isn’t any. I keep wanting to stop by and take a look at the Suzuki car, but I keep driving on pass it.
I must admit I do get hung up looking at Ford’s, Chevy’s, and even a Toyota or two. In all fairness I have not paid any attention to Suzuki as a car manufacture.
According to Wikipedia the company of Suzuki was started back in 1909. It was not until 1952 where Suzuki switched from producing manufacturing equipment to motorcycles. In 1955 Suzuki stated the first production of light weight front wheel drive cars. Today, Suzuki stands as the fourth largest car company in Japan, and the 9th largest in the world.
In the United States Suzuki is currently selling seven different model lines. Their current line up starts with the SX4 Sedan which starts for at $14,000. Next is the Kizashi, a four door sedan starting at just under $19,000. The SX4 Sportsback is what you would consider a crossover vehicle for $16,800. The larger SX4 Crossover is larger and sell for $17,000. Grand Vitara is Suzuki’s entry into the Sport Utility Vehicle class at $19,500. The Equator is no mini truck, it is a full size truck which sells for around $18,000. Finally, the big daddy of the Suzuki line up is the Equator Crew Cab. It sells for a modest $25,700.
When I checked in with the reviewer of all things automotive, I found some interesting perspectives. Edmunds.com considers the whole line of Suzuki a little short on quality, but good on value for the dollar. AutoGuide.com refer to a large number of cars produced by Suzuki as being mediocre at best. US News Rankings and Reviews seems to agree with all the other reviewers. In summary they all consider Suzuki not a quality luxury car.
Bottom-line: Over the next couple of months, I want to take a close look as three or four of the Suzuki line up. In my brief research my expectations of Suzuki, as a car manufacture is not going to be very high. Prices are low. Gas mileage looks okay. I have not really found any large group of Suzuki car fans.
If you want to weigh in on Suzuki as a car manufacture, feel free to leave comments.
