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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  What a mistake! - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By mesx - February 8 - 8:26 pm

  I bought my Aerio brand new, a year ago and have done nothing but repair this piece of junk since. Its front sway bar bushings came out of the mounting brackets four times, I have replaced six tires because they kept being destroyed by a mechenical defect, Ive had had three alignments done (the dealer took it to a body shop last time, maybe they had to straighten the frame), the power door locks failed, I had the front lower control arm bolts almost fall out, had styrofoam fall off the rear bumper (under painted plastic cover), and the heat shield for the exhaust manifold and the hood were lose and rattling the day I drove it off the lot. This was my first new car and it has given me more problems than my last five used Hondas combined.

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  A joy of ride and great styling !! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By WongAllenL - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I have test driven the Matrix AWD, and this Aerio AWD. I love the Aerio more since I feel that it pulls off the line stronger than the Matrix does. I am sure the 145 horses is better than 123 on the Matrix. I love the screaming yellow!!! I love it!!! I have replaced with 17" alloys and love it even more!!! Great gas mileage!!!

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  Love It So far - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By TR528 - December 16 - 12:43 pm

  I am surprised at how well the Aerio rides. The 2.3L engine provides plenty of power. The car seems very tight, it has a good solid sound when you close the door. It has plenty of room.

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  Just right - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By bigheadwolff - November 30 - 2:00 am

  ill tell you what, buy this car. you cant beat the performance you get out of this car for the money. it is quick and fun to drive. its got plenty of interior room not to mention a huge trunk. i was in the market for a wagon, but decided to get the aerio sedan for its great value and performance. im very satisfied with this car.

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  great car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By antinous130 - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Pros: Great value, fun to drive, great features Cons: A little sluggish to take off (auto AWD)

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  Basic car... Awesome reliability - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By aerio1 - November 19 - 12:36 pm

  I bought this car off my buddy who sold it to me with only 30K miles on it. I have put 20K on it so far. I agree that bumpers are kinda low. The interior is basic. It has a surprising amount of head room despite looking small from the outside. I disagree with Edmunds mileage assessment. I ALWAYS get above 30 mpg. (I have the 5 spd manual). I plan to drive this car in to the ground and hope to get 300K miles. The only bad thing about this car is that if you get dings and such, you can only get Suzuki parts (can be expensive relative to Toyota/Honda). If you have a Civic or Corolla, there are TONS of aftermarket companies that make parts.

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  Very Bad Paint - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Jessie0405 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had trouble with the paint job in the first year and again now. Paint chipped in places that would not normally be touched by hands, rocks or anything else for that matter. On the trunk edges, by the driverside back window. Large chips that rusted. Many tiny rust spots. Big ones were fixed at the local dealership. Told it could be the pearlized paint as it is softer than normal. Having the same problems again. Chips in the paint that are rusting, tiny pinholes all over that are rusted. Took it back to dealer, they advised me that was normal wear and tear. It is not!!! They just want me to buy a new car. Left dealership very unhappy!

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  Lucky Lady - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Kim - November 8 - 9:53 am

  I named my Aerio "Lucky Lady." Its been months and Im still crazy about driving it. Im a regional store manager, and drive little winding mountain roads every day. I upgraded the factory tires with Yokohama TRZ and have had no problem getting to my distant store in snow or ice. I never miss work! My passengers are always amazed by the comfort and roominess of the interior. My boss loves my trunk space. He is always loading me down with cases of drinks. Anyone ever heard of Old Fort Mountain in NC? My Lucky Lady loaded with drinks, can do 60+ over it and I pass everyone. Its great gas mileage is a bonus in times like this.

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  My newest purchase - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Ashley - November 1 - 3:36 am

  My husband and I purchased a 2004 Aerio SX Wagon Standard on May 1, 2006 to replace my Ford Ranger XLT, which I was putting 45 dollars in gas a week into. I havent measured the gas mileage, all I know is now Im only paying 25 dollars a week in gas, as opposed to the 45, which is great. I do a lot of interstate driving to and from work, and this car has so much more oomph than my Ranger did. Its very roomy for being a smaller car, and the storage is great. I love the storage in the trunk.

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  Love My Sucuki - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By charles simpkins - October 31 - 2:03 pm

  Since my wife and I purchased our Aerio we have fallen in love with it. We have owed Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas and now our Suzuki. It has been the best car that we have ever owned in terms of reliability and performance.