Suzuki

The Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive and motorcycle manufacturer, established in 1909, over 100 years ago.

How popular is Suzuki in the United Kingdom?

Possibly better known as a leading motorcycle manufacturer, the cars from this marque are becoming a well-known household name in UK motoring. The Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Vitara have made a real impact on UK drivers, being responsible for over half of the 408k Suzuki models on the roads today.

Good value small city cars and SUV driving

Suzuki’s success has been dependent on their provision of small, well-priced cars that offer excellent value and good fuel economy. They offer a selection of city cars and small hatchbacks, with added hybrid fuel options for green drivers and those who want further economy from their motoring.

It’s possibly the Vitara, Ignis and the SX4 S-Cross SUV and crossover models that are making the most impact for this brand, despite not achieving quite the same impressive sales figures as the Swift.

Suzuki provides great technology for budget brand cars

For cars at their price-point, Suzuki crams in a lot of tech. The Vitara, for example, comes with Suzuki’s Boosterjet turbocharged engine and Allgrip 4-wheel drive system for performance, and a host of additional technology for drivability.

It also incorporates driver assistance features such as a lane departure warning that includes visual signals and a vibrating steering wheel, cruise control and fully integrated smartphone connectivity—features you’d tend to expect to find on much higher priced vehicles.

The Suzuki SHVS hybrid system

In the current climate where ecology and green motoring has become prevalent, the ‘Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki’ advanced driving system reduces CO2 emissions and lowers your running costs. What Suzuki has done here, is create a lighter and smaller system than the standard hybrid arrangement. Combine that with their cars’ lightweight chassis and nimble performance, and the efficiency becomes even more impressive.

Suzuki’s reliability and reputation

Suzuki came top of the pile out of the 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Followed closely by Lexus and Toyota, it was the Japanese and Asian marques that proved to be the most reliable vehicles being driven in the UK.

Recent Suzuki recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Suzuki models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

30/11/2018 – Suzuki Swift (2013–2015)

Due to the engine vibrations, the brake lines and the support on which the motor is mounted may come into contact

01/06/2018 – Suzuki Celerio (2018)

The front seat’s side airbag webbing bracket may be defective

30/03/2018 – Suzuki Ignis, Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Baleno (2015–2016)

The engine auto stop-start system might become inoperative

04/01/2017 – Suzuki Jimny (2014–2015)

Resin fragments inside the brake hydraulic control unit might get stuck in the hydraulic control valve

23/09/2016 – Suzuki Jimny (2013–2014)

The brake booster does not work adequately, and thus the brake pedal operation can be harder

19/03/2016 – Suzuki Swift (2013–2015)

The adhesive force of the double-sided tapes which fix the front seat heater to the seat may deteriorate

29/07/2016 – Suzuki Swift/Swift Sport (2014–2015)

A defect in the rear wheel brake may cause a sudden decrease of brake force

10/06/2016 – Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013–2016)

The seams of the front seat back covers may have been sewn incorrectly in the area of the side airbag.

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.