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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  Very nice!!! - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By kiska - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a little jewel. Fun to drive, squirts thru traffic & very comfortable. In Europe the car is known as the Liana, and kudos to Suzuki for bringing it to the states.

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  Interior great (except display panel) - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By acechikita - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Okay, you have to understand I purchased this car for economical reasons. I drove an Integra that was quick and love to drive fast. This car is fairly zippy for fun driving downtown and is comfortable on highways. Its faster thasn the Protege 5, Toyota Camry and cheaper than a Civc once you add all of the sporty features. Id like to try and sell it before my lease is up so I hope it holds its value well!

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  Never Again - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Mindy - March 17 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my 2004 Suzuki Aerio S in 6/04. From week one I have had nothing but problems with the suspension. My car creaks and clunks in the front and rear. I took it back to the dealer several times for service and was always told the carriage bolts were loose and were tightened. This went on about every three months. Next was the noise from the brakes, then the radio went out and was replaced, gas peddle stuck and throttle was replaced. My cars suspension is still making all these noises and dealer states again all Aerios do this. For some reason, the radio does not work when rear defroster is on. Now the cars front wheel bearings had to be replaced. The suspension still makes all kinds of noises. I have a lawyer handling my car as a lemon.

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  Must Have - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By car fan - March 9 - 5:46 am

  This car is great with all the standard features you get. The only thing I wish I had gotten is cruise control, but its OK without it. This car gets great gas mileage, 30 mpg on the highway. The car is great inside and out. I didnt really want this car. but now that I have it I love drivng it. I took it out of town and it is a great car to travel in. It is so comfordable and everything. The steering is tight.

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  good car watch resale value - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By belden - March 5 - 8:00 pm

  Have enjoyed this car. Moves well although not so fast at picking up speed and up major hills works hard. Winshield defrost is not so good. The left and right sides of windshiel do not defrost well. Usually have to scrape when frosted. Side mirrors not too stable, jiggle in the wind. Overall, decent car if you can get at a decent price.

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  Too Much Fun - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By 01Bigdog - February 24 - 10:00 am

  What a great little car, I read a great many reviews before I bought this vehicle, my suggestion to anyone thinking of buying one. GO TEST DRIVE ONE. Most consumer mags are not in my opinion very complimentary towards this vehicle, they tend to lump it with other vehicles that look like it, they nock the styling, handling, and some how conclude that the interior material is cheap or low quality material. I couldnt disagree more on all counts. I have over 6,000 fun filled miles in this little jewel. I am 6 feet tall about 230lbs & over the age of 50 and this car is just "Too much Fun", gas has avg 27mpg + daily commute 50mi round trip in Western PA.

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  Close Counts - 2003 Suzuki Aerio
  By Fredmon - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive was shopping in the sports sedan/crossover category for a few months. On a whim I test drove the Susuki Aerio SX. Initially I was skeptical that a car of this price could pack in the features that it does. When compared. with the Matrix/Vibe I was sold. 14000 hard miles later, I continue to be impressed. I get 31-35 MPG at highway speeds and I love the interior room ( Im 64" )Actually, this is my third Suzuki, I owned a Samuri for many years while living in USVI and was never let down by the rugged engineering and reliabilty especially when you consider the the abuse it took on crappy island roads. . The Aerio is a good value. Recommended.

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  A Good Pocket Rocket - 2005 Suzuki Aerio
  By Glen-Tacoma-WA - February 13 - 10:03 pm

  I commute 158 miles round trip every weekday, so was looking for a reliable, economical, and fun to drive car at a good price point. What I got in the 2005 Suzuki Aerio SX Sport Wagen surpassed my requirements. With its 155 hp engine, its pretty darn quick, and it sticks to the road in corners really well. The handling is excellent, but the steering could be a little crisper and more responsive. New for 2005 is the Techno Blue Metal paint color. Its beautiful. While I initially didnt like the body styling all that much, its been growing on me. It looks a little boxy at first. The interior is very comfortable. The instrument panel glows crimson red at night. Awesome.

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  Aerio-DYNAMIC - 2006 Suzuki Aerio
  By brotherburce - February 6 - 5:06 am

  From the shiny exterior to the upgraded interior features, the Suzuki Aerio offers much more than its class competition. It comes with electric windows, door locks, mirrors, keyless remote entry, side airbags, a visually catchy instrument panel, and great CD/MP3 6 speaker sound system with steering wheel controls to start things off. Add an impressive 2.3 litre power plant with a responsive automatic transmission for quick highway response. As a tall person, I appreciate the high seating position that aids in visibility and easy access. Its steering is responsive and the suspension gives you a bigger feel than the car actually is. the Aerio has a unique design in the parking lot and on the freeway, I like Aerios stingy attitude toward gas.

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  AERIO SX - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By 456 - January 30 - 1:06 am

  GREAT VEHICLE, LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, HANDLES WELL, LOTS OF ROOM FOR HAULING, PLUS IT TURNS A LOT OF HEADS GOING DOWN THE STREET. THIS IS MY SECOND SUZUKI THE OTHER ONE ONLY NEEDED OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS.