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:

• 

  Love the Aerio - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By HappyCSA - August 17 - 10:00 am

  The Aerio is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. It has a roomy interior with plenty of room for myself 2 teenagers and all of their stuff.

• 

  Great Value, Runs Strong - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By gomaingo - July 28 - 10:00 am

  The Aerio has the feel of a large car, with its high roof and large trunk. You sit higher than most drivers which gives you great visability. The real fun comes while driving this quick little car, that handles suprisingly well. My only surprize is that I do not see more of them on the road.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By molotri - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Problems with the brake pads but dealer and others say is ok and there is no defect still I hear that crunching sound from the break pads from the front right side tire, I checked and there is a technical problem on the brake pads -along with 7 more TSBs and 1 windshield recall. Also, the cd player, it either does not work or the laser is dirty, but still, for 8mo of use it should not be doing that. Otherwise, for all the options and features this is a great car for 12K.The awd is great and gives me a lot more confidence for MN weather. It surely beats the low quality ford, chev or the hi $ honda. The car is very strong I can feel it and I am planning to own it until it breaks apart !!!!!!

• 

  The best thing - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By christian - June 28 - 1:50 pm

  This is the best thing thats happened to me. the aerio is the best hatchback compared to the matrix (XR)and the mazda 3

• 

  I love my Aerio - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By nicole - May 26 - 5:03 am

  This car is much quicker and agile than I had expected. The interior is great and very easy to keep clean. Overall I think it was a very good value. My best friend has a VW Golf and she paid almost $5,000 more and the only thing she has that I dont is a nifty switchblade key.

• 

  A home run for Suzuki - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mr. Bill S. - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I am a proud owner of an Electric Yellow SX. Simply, a great car. One of the best I have ever owned (beleive me, I have had a few, to say the least). The car is Roomy, comfortable, has a great driving position and a taught well controlled ride.

• 

  Great care for small people - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By anne myers - March 29 - 12:53 am

  When first purchased had a problem with windshield wipers going off on a sunny day - did turn them on - keyless lock and interior dome light. Finally found the problem in the rear wiper electrical hookup. Fixed and not a problem since. 52,000 miles and just put new brakes on. Tires about one year ago. For a small person, women particularly it is a great car for driving and easy to handle. Great capacity for hauling when the rear seats are down for extra cargo space. Great mileage - go 400 hundred miles to New York state and still have 1/4 tank of gas left. My husband is 6 ft and I am 5 ft and the car fits us both.

• 

  excellent - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Jazmonia - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love riding it around town because is different and rarely seen. The turns are smooth and the ride is pleasant.

• 

  Very under-estimated car - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By cdrl - January 16 - 10:00 am

  In my opinion although this car came sixth out of six in its category, it came number one in both engine and transmission. This is 90% of what you want in a car. Very cormfortable seats and guess what - all my friends (some have a Matrix and a Protege 5) think that this is the most fun car to own. Love the sound of the peppy engine, very fuctional interior unlike the competitors who have useless storage for things like cellphones Safety hazard) and junk food (no place for wrappers. Gets quieter at higher speeds

• 

  Very Reliable Ride - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ross - January 16 - 9:26 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Gas mileage is about 25MPG city and 30 MPG highway. Very peppy drivetrain. Turns on a dime, lots of storage space. Nothing has ever broken down on this car (knock on wood). I have only replace oil, air filters, and a battery. I highly recommend it.