Brand Comparison
Johnson vs Suzuki Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Johnson Outboards | Suzuki Marine | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) | Hamamatsu, Japan |
| Ownership | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 | Suzuki Motor Corporation |
| Stock / Ticker | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) | TYO: 7269 — Suzuki Motor Corporation |
| Annual Revenue | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) | ¥5.36 trillion group revenue (FY ending March 2024) |
| Employees | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) | ~69,193 worldwide (Suzuki Motor group, 2021); Suzuki Motor USA operations separate |
| Manufacturing | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended | 35 production facilities across 23 countries (Suzuki Motor group) |
| HP Range | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued | 2.5 – 350 hp |
| Fuel / Power | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke | 4-stroke gasoline |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 3 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | Being one of the two names (with Evinrude) that defined American outboarding for most of the 20th century — lightweight aluminum motors and early racing. Discontinued by BRP after 2007. | Fuel efficiency and value. The Lean Burn Control System is the brand’s signature, trimming cruise fuel use by roughly 14–15% — a favorite of cost-conscious and long-range operators who care more about running cost than headline horsepower. |
| Best For | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. | Fuel economy, value, and four-stroke efficiency. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Johnson on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
A founding American outboard brand with strong collector and restoration interest.
Used-Motor Market
A very large installed base keeps Johnson common and serviceable in the used market.
Vintage Racing Heritage
Known for 1920s outboard racing success in its early years.
Suzuki on the water
Commercial Fishing & Crabbing
Lean Burn economy and high-hour durability make Suzuki popular with commercial crabbers and fleets running long distances.
Fuel-Economy Repowers
The efficiency reputation makes Suzuki a strong pick for owners prioritizing running cost over top-end horsepower.
Value Buyers
Frequently cited for value-for-money — advanced tech at a lower entry price than premium rivals.
Which one fits you?
Choose Johnson if…
- ✓Founding-era American outboard heritage with 1920s racing wins
- ✓Enormous installed base and parts availability in the used market
- ✓BRP continues parts and warranty support for existing owners
Choose Suzuki if…
- ✓Recognized fuel-economy leader via Lean Burn
- ✓Strong value positioning
- ✓Contra-rotating dual-prop flagship for grip and smooth power delivery
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Johnson Outboards and Suzuki Marine are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history, while Suzuki leans toward fuel economy, value, and four-stroke efficiency. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Johnson or Suzuki the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. Suzuki is best for fuel economy, value, and four-stroke efficiency. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Johnson vs Suzuki?
Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued, while Suzuki Marine offers 2.5 – 350 hp.
Who owns Johnson and Suzuki?
Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007. Suzuki Marine: Suzuki Motor Corporation.