All the Best Suzuki Compact SUVs
From the sporty Samurai to the peculiar-looking Sidekick, Suzuki has a history of making compact SUVs. Here’s a list!
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Alita Dark
From the sporty Samurai to the peculiar-looking Sidekick, Suzuki has crafted an interesting lineup of compact SUVs over the years.
Today, Suzuki is among the world's largest automakers and a major brand name in important markets, including Japan and India, but they no longer sell cars in North America. That doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on a used model, of course.
If you’re in the market for one of Suzuki’s historic compact SUVs, look no further. We’ll go through every option that was sold in the U.S., letting you know which was the absolute smallest. Finally, we’ll offer some tips for lowering your
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Suzuki compact and subcompact car models
Suzuki has produced four compact and subcompact SUV models for the U.S. market—although many of their compact cars were marketed as “sport utility” options. Let’s take a closer look at their interesting lineup of SUVs.
Suzuki Vitara (1988-present)
The Vitara has been around since 1988 and was sold in the U.S. all the way through 2014 when Suzuki shut down sales in North America.
It’s gone through quite a few changes over the years, originally classified as a mini SUV, then a compact SUV from 1998 through 2017, when it was rebranded as the “Grand Vitara.” Currently, the Vitara is marketed as a subcompact crossover abroad.
Today, you should be able to secure a used Grand Vitara for around $7,000 or less and a used Vitara for under $5,000.
Highlights of the Vitara include:
- Four-wheel drive is offered, making the vehicle a worthy off-roader
- Large cargo capacity
- Impressive braking
- Long list of standard features
Weaknesses include:
- Weak engine
- Uncomfortable interior
- Coarse ride quality
Suzuki XL-7 (1998-2009)
Slotted just above the Grand Vitara is the XL-7, a vehicle that falls on the larger side of the compact SUV class (Suzuki actually calls it “mid-size”) and even contains an optional third row of seats!
Of all the vehicles offered by Suzuki in the U.S., the XL-7 is by far the most family-friendly, and you can still buy one for about $4,800 to $7,000.
Highlights of the XL-7 include:
- More spacious than most compact crossover SUVs
- Seats up to seven passengers
- Incredibly affordable price tag for a vehicle its size
Weaknesses include:
- Poor acceleration
- Excessive road and engine noise
- Unimpressive fuel economy
Suzuki Sidekick (1988-1998)
Suzuki's second-ever SUV, the Sidekick, was positioned at the entry-level end of the compact sport utility market, specifically designed to appeal to young drivers who wanted sporty performance paired with economical operation.
Today, a used Sidekick is valued at around $3,200, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Highlights of the Sidekick include:
- Adorable aesthetics
- Two body styles available
- Extremely compact and easy to drive and park
Weaknesses include:
- Weak engine; especially bad performance uphill
- Not too great on gas
Suzuki Samurai (1986-1995)
The Suzuki Samurai was the very first compact SUV that the brand sold in the U.S., but its history dates back to well before 1986. Originally crafted as the Jimny for the Japanese market, this little vehicle was supposed to look like a “Jeep lite.”
Branded as the Samurai, the U.S. version had a carbureted 1.3-liter overhead-cam four-cylinder engine, delivering 63 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. Today, one will cost you right around $3,000.
Highlights of the Samurai include:
- Fun and iconic styling
- Unstoppable off-road abilities
Weaknesses include:
- Incredibly noisy
- Sluggish engine
What is Suzuki’s smallest SUV?
With its 1995 model’s wheelbase measuring just 79.9 inches (and an overall length of 135 inches), the Suzuki Samurai is the smallest SUV ever offered by the brand in the U.S. (Any smaller and you’re looking at a car!)
What is Suzuki’s cheapest SUV?
If we’re talking used, the Samurai is also your cheapest Suzuki option—but that’s likely because of its old age.
In terms of original MSRPs, the Sidekick was designed with affordability in mind, with a starting price of just $13,099 in its most recent years.
MORE: Everything you need to know about Suzuki electric cars
How to save on Suzuki insurance
You might think that small, used cars are cheaper to insure, but a lot gets taken into account when pricing out your unique insurance premiums.
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