Overview & Reviews

Despite spending an impressive six years on the market -- and enjoying advantages like a roomy cabin and available all-wheel drive -- the compact Suzuki Aerio remained nearly invisible to most consumers. If you ask us, it probably had something to do with the Aerio's average-at-best overall report card. To use a football analogy, it was like a second- or third-string specialty player that Suzuki forced to suit up against several heavy-hitting, all-purpose first-stringers. This wasn't a game the Aerio was likely to win -- yet it was a better car than its sales numbers and anonymity would suggest.

Most Recent Suzuki Aerio

The compact Suzuki Aerio debuted in 2002 as a sedan and four-door hatchback wagon. Initially, there were S and GS (later called LS) trim levels for the sedan; the hatchback came in SX trim only. Later Aerios were offered in either base or Premium trims. Versatility was always a strong point for the hatchback -- with the rear seats folded down, it could carry an impressive 64 cubic feet of cargo.

Aerios were initially powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine; displacement was later bumped to 2.3 liters, with a commensurate increase in power. A five-speed manual transmission was standard on entry-level cars, while a four-speed automatic was optional on those models and standard on higher trim levels. The Aerio was available in either front-wheel or, beginning in 2003, all-wheel drive.

With either transmission, the Suzuki Aerio was sufficiently responsive for running errands around town or commuting. However, although the Aerio provided a soft, smooth ride on the highway, we found there was a penalty to be paid: excessive body roll around corners, which was exacerbated by the car's relatively tall, tippy stance. Opting for AWD settled things down a bit, and of course it improved the Aerio's traction in wet weather as well. Indeed, that optional all-weather capability was one of the few compelling features the Aerio had to offer.

Thanks to its high roof line, the Suzuki Aerio boasted a surprising amount of interior room for its size, and we found ingress and egress to be an all-around cinch. The Aerio offered a generous 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space, too. Unfortunately, interior plastics quality, execution and overall refinement were below average compared to the economy class leaders.

Some notable changes occurred after the Aerio's debut. In 2003, it received a slight power boost to 145 horsepower (from the initial 141 hp) and minor interior trim refinements; uplevel GS and SX models got a six-disc CD player and could be had with all-wheel-drive traction. The 2.0-liter engine was replaced by a 2.3-liter unit in 2004, and horsepower rose to a rather impressive 155. Suzuki added more standard features in 2005 and redesigned the instrument panel, which we had previously criticized as having hard-to-read gauges and a lack of storage compartments. The wagon was dropped for 2007, leaving the sedan to finish out the Aerio's production run by itself.

As a used car, the Suzuki Aerio does have a few things going for it. Its attractive price when new looks even better now that depreciation has taken its toll, and its peppy engine and optional all-wheel drive were pleasant qualities. But the Aerio was never particularly enjoyable to drive and generally came up short in terms of refinement and features.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By McPeek - March 1 - 1:16 pm

  I love this car and with gas prices continuing to rise it is very affordable!

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  The only import I can fit in - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By TA62 - January 31 - 12:33 am

  This car is great on gas, very quick, and the room inside is awesome and comfortable. It looks good and it has more power and room than those honda sardine cans(civic).

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  What a fun car!!!!! - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By das12477 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe how much room there is in a car that looks small. I love my Aerio!!!

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  175000 and still runs great - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mike - January 25 - 12:03 pm

  I use this car for work. Stop and go driving. I start and stop the engine approx 41 times a day and the car runs for 10-12 hrs at a time. I have beat this car into construction sites, drilled a guard rail doing 65 mph backwards, and drove it off road nailing rocks and going over logs. I replaced tires, two front wheel bearings at 150,000 miles, 4 front brake rotors, a serpentine belt. It now needs a full exhaust system and a radiator, its not the most comfortable car on the market or the most fuel effecient but keep good fluids in it and it should provide you with adaquate transportation. I wouldnt hesitate to buy one again.

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  SX - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By steven Netti - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Not Bad The dealer was bad==not the car I would buy again elsewhere

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  04 Aerio SX -- Best Blend - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By MAD777 - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I tested a HUGE number of cars before buying. I found the Aerio peppy (pulls well in any gear and handles most hills with cruise on in 5th gear), eager to go, great confident cornering (unlike the Vibe/Matrix which scared my wife and I when we drove it after testing the Suzuki -- we were never sure where the Vibe/Matrix was going to go when going into turns, and they required constant mid-course correction). Cant understand Edmunds review that handling is sloppy on the Aerio SX! Did the reviewer check the tires for proper inflation? I think it deserves another review! Could use a bit more storage, better cup holders, but love the rear under-floor storage.

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  Budget but Beautiful - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By KC in WA - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a used ex-rental(with a touch under 18K miles) Aerio S automatic for my wife. OK its a budget car, (power windows, but no power locks, why?) but in silver she be lookin fine (both the wife and the car!) Due to the price I paid, $8900 ($92 more than Edmunds TMV!), I am persona non grata at the used car lot, but hey its the car my wife wanted at the price I wanted!

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  Great Car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Gary - December 17 - 5:16 am

  We are now on our 4th Suzuki. We love them, they are fun to drive and very reliable. 29 miles to the gallon isnt too shabby either. You get your moneys worth and more. I wish they would come out with a truck.

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  Love it ,Love It, Love It - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Kathy - December 12 - 11:20 pm

  I purchased my Aerio after driving my sons 2003 Aerio. I love how easily it handles and boy what acceleration for a compact car! It gets great gas mileage too. The interior is redesign from the 03s, which is a real positive. Im very satisfied.

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  Upgrades - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By djcs - November 9 - 3:33 pm

  The Suzuki Aerio seems to have no power and no leg room. The engine size needs to be a 2.8 liter or larger. This will give much better gas mileage and power to pick up speed due to the wieght of the vehicle. The steering wheel needs to be raised more up words. The dash board could have more features. GPS maybe. This is a family station wagon. The family needs to be safe and know where they are going.