A few years back, Suzuki was one of the top 10 automakers by sales volumes.
Although that is no longer the case, the Japanese company still produces more than 3 million units per year and has a strong market base in developing countries.
One of the reasons why Suzuki is still a major player in the auto industry – despite its exit from the American market – is the low price tags.
In this article, we will examine why and how this became the case.
Why Are Suzuki Cars Cheap?
There are several reasons why Suzuki cars tend to be cheaper. These include lower manufacturing costs, lack of advanced technology in the vehicles, and lower cost components.
First, the company is based in both Japan and India, both of which are home to some of the largest automakers in the world, including Honda, Tata, Subaru, and Nissan.
For Suzuki cars to be competitive internationally, they need to first be accepted locally, and costing less than competitor brands is arguably the best way to improve local sales.
Moreover, Suzuki cars are generally not as advanced technology-wise as those made by major manufacturers.
This lack of advanced tech make them cheap to develop and cheap to maintain in the long term.
Indeed, the company itself has made it clear that its main goal is to make lighter, and consequently more fuel-efficient, vehicles for the developing world.
That involves reducing the thickness of aluminum and other metal sheets used in the body.
Notably, the low-cost components in the bodies of many Suzuki models do not bode well for passenger safety, and that has been a primary source of concern.
So essentially, buying a Suzuki car gives you the fuel efficiency, resale value, and good mileage you desire, at the cost of safety and aesthetics.
Are Suzuki Cars Good Quality?
They may not be as classy and strong as European models, but Suzuki cars are still very reliable and durable on their own.
This is especially true of the older models, like the Suzuki Jimmy and the Suzuki Alto, which are still racking up miles, despite being originally launched decades ago.
Although there have been some noteworthy recalls arising from quality problems in the newer models, it still doesn’t change the fact that Suzuki cars are known, and loved, for their reliability and ease of maintenance.
Are Suzuki Cars Safe?
Suzuki is not known to prioritize safety in its designs. Therefore, a number of models have been ranked as rather unsafe compared to older models, as well as competitors.
For instance, the New Car Assessment Program for Latin America and the Caribbean (NCAP), gave the Suzuki Baleno, one of the latest models, a zero-star safety rating in 2021.
The global NCAP tests also don’t bode well for Suzuki, as all the models tested in 2021 got zero stars.
The factors said to cause these consistently poor safety ratings include low impact protection, lack of quality airbags, and poor child restraint systems (CRS).
Do Suzuki Cars Last Long?
Yes, Suzuki cars are typically long-lasting, although it has more to do with their two-wheel drive than their quality.
Many Suzuki owners tend to operate them on urban roads as they don’t do well in more rugged areas.
As a result, they do not suffer fast wear and tear and can last for years with minimal maintenance
Is Suzuki Cheap To Maintain?
Yes. Suzuki cars are cheap to repair and maintain over the years compared to other brands.
Some tests put their average annual maintenance costs at £235 (or $310) – significantly lower than average.
The primary reason for the low maintenance costs is the high-quality engines and chassis systems used in most models.
Further, the company has a massive global reach and thus very good production and distribution networks for spare parts.
The parts are not just easily available but are also manufactured in low-cost factories in South East Asian countries, which means their final costs are also low.
How Good Are Suzuki Engines?
In terms of power, Suzuki engines lag behind the likes of Toyota and the European-manufactured models.
However, when it comes to resilience and fuel economy, these engines perform quite well.
Many Suzuki models feature compact, chain-driven engines that are durable and easy to maintain.
The gearbox systems, once a source of derision, are increasingly getting better and so is the responsiveness of the engines.
Are Suzuki Cars Worth Buying?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a car.
If you’re looking for a cheap, economical, and durable car with a good resale value, then you’ll undoubtedly find plenty of good options in the Suzuki catalog.
However, if you value safety, good designs, and trunk size, then you are much better off looking elsewhere.
Is Suzuki Japanese?
Yes, Suzuki is a Japanese company, founded and headquartered in the Asian country.
Although it currently has offices and production facilities in over 25 countries (including India), Suzuki is still headquartered in Shizuoka, Japan, and has mostly Japanese shareholders.
Which Suzuki cars are the best?
The best Suzuki cars are typically older models whose workings are well known and spare parts are easily available.
These models include the likes of Alto, Swift, SX4, Sidekick SUV series, and Grand Vitara.
If you are environmentally conscious, you may gravitate more towards the newer electric or hybrid models such as Ignis, Swace, Vitara, and the Hybrid Swift.
Although these cars are relatively expensive compared to the ICE models, they are futuristic and cheap to maintain in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Although they are known for their small and low-priced cars, Suzuki has a longstanding reputation as a reliable car brand, and that is still true today.
Their cars can give you thousands of miles a year with minimal maintenance, especially if you mostly commute on urban roads.
