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:

• 

  Could have been better - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Bandguy - March 26 - 10:43 am

  While it is fun to drive, the sound system needs upgrade in speaker placement and sound quality. The cup holders in the front only hold a 12 oz can securely. Anything else will spill all over when accelerating or braking. The seats are comfortable even over long distances. Im very disappointed with the gas mileage. Im getting only 22 mpg. A little car like this should get more like 30 mpg. Perhaps a larger fuel tank so it will go farther. The new Camaro gets better mileage. Cargo area is excellent and the area under the floor is very convenient.

• 

  Great Little Car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By luvmysuzuki - February 4 - 9:16 pm

  After an accident rendered my wifes Escort undriveable we decided to replace it with something just as economical but we wanted something with a little more pizzaz.We didnt have a lot of money to spend so the Corollas and Civics were priced out of our range.We briefly considered a Hyundai or Kia but just didnt get the warm fuzzy feeling with them.As soon as we sat in the Aerio we were hooked.The headroom is massive (enough to accomodate a six foot tall person with inches to spare).There are more standard features on this car than you can shake a stick at (AC,6 disc CD,PW,PDL and heated mirrors are standard!).We average almost 30 MPG and as far as power....Buckle up and hang on!!!

• 

  A Life Saver - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By becky03 - February 2 - 12:45 am

  I have been hit by 13 deer while driving this car. It has had its front bumper. hood and either fender replaced atleast 8-9 times. A racoon took out the front bumper once...The body could be of better material. The rest inside and out is original. After all this I have not been hurt and it is still running. 200,000 miles and all I have done is changed the oil regularly, the occasional alignment, new tires and just had the radiator flushed. Drove it 1800 miles to see family and am driving it back those 1800 miles. I expect to get another 100,000 miles.

• 

  Love My Car - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By Karen V. - December 1 - 5:46 am

  This car is a blast to drive. I have doubled my driving distance since buying this car because it is so much fun to drive. I find I drive it a little to fast but I love to drive it fast. Im 63 and would recommend this car to any age. Such a shame they didnt do better advertising on this car, it would have out sold a lot of other cars if it had gotten more air time. The only car I have ever owned that I loved as much as this one was my 1961 Red Austin Healy. My SX is red not as fast as fast as the Austin Healy but just as much fun to drive!

• 

  Great Car! - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By suz21 - October 15 - 4:44 am

  Bought this car new. In the first two years, the brakes needing changing out a couple of times, & I am not a heavy brake user--but once I had ceramic brakes installed, no more problems. Apart from that, Ive had zero problems with it for the most part. Very reliable. I am at 80,000 miles and it runs like a dream. Only complaint I have at this point is living in Pacific Northwest & wet winters causes my car to slide about on slick roads if I have to stop too fast. It doesnt have a lot of road traction, and Ive been told due its light weight. The tires are good winter tires, and Ive only had to replace them two times.

• 

  OK car but bad for the cold weather and snow driving - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By denis18 - June 22 - 10:17 am

  I bought this cat at 55K and sold at 92K miles on it when the bearing and brake pads needed change. The car is OK, but the engine light was on and off several times during my ownership of the car. Nothing serious was found and it looked like a computer glitch. The worst part is that the car is simply not designed for the cold weather and snow driving. At freezing temperatures all pneumatics go off, like locks, windows etc, and driving under snow is a lot of stress. Overall, the cars worth its price as long as you live in the warm climate all year around.

• 

  Love this car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By ccox - April 26 - 3:20 am

  Bought this car because I really like the way it drove. Very comfortable, quick response, roomy. At the time I really wanted a Chevy Monte Carlo, but when I test drove it, I decided on the Aerio. Much more room! I have had this car for 4 years and have no complaints, no problems! Its a great car.

• 

  Aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By augoct221 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This Vehicale is great in snow. The gas milage is a little disapointing for its class.

• 

  My Aerio - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Yvonne08 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my little Aerio. At first, when i saw the car i was hesitant, but as soon as I got inside and saw all the cute original features that the car has, I fell in love. Ive had my car now for four months and Im so happy. I hope it lasts a long time with me. =)

• 

  2004 Suzuki Aerio SX - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Vinnie Torioalleo - February 25 - 4:46 am

  Very, very quick but needs better suspension. Theres a lot of noise in the cabin area. Brakes are very, very, very noisy. Everything else about the car is great, buy one or youll have to get an sx4 because this fast and furious baby as been discontinued.