EDMUNDS.COM 2004 SUZUKI AERIO
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2004 SUZUKI AERIO new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
As the most affordable all-wheel-drive car on the market, the Aerio may suit a few, but for the most part it lags behind its more refined competition.
Pros
Wagon-body style, available all-wheel drive, affordable price, roomy interior, powerful standard engine, solid crash test scores.
Cons
Almost no storage space in the cabin, low-grade interior plastics, sloppy handling, no side airbags available.
What''s New for 2004
A 155-horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine; a seven-speaker stereo; and a driver-seat armrest are now standard on all Aerios. LX sedans (formerly called GS) and SX wagons now offer heated mirrors, foglights, a revised rear spoiler and an automatic climate control system on cars equipped with ABS. There''s also a new 15-inch alloy wheel design.
Overview
Introduction:
Introduced in 2002, the compact Aerio is a replacement for the Suzuki Esteem, a car sold in the U.S. from 1995 to 2002 and all but invisible to the average economy sedan and wagon shopper. Despite the fact that the Aerio is a much more qualified candidate, Suzuki faces an uphill battle to gain market share. With heavy hitters like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus in the same game, the Aerio has a lot to overcome in order to convince buyers that it''s worth taking a chance on. Available in sedan and wagon versions with either front-wheel drive or winter-friendly all-wheel drive, the Aerio''s styling is meant to look aerodynamic (thus the name) and distinctive. It''s aimed toward youthful customers and in the case of the wagon, offers the space to haul their gear around as a more fun and affordable option to an SUV. With an overall height three to four inches greater than other vehicles in its class, the Aerio boasts a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room at the cost of a chunky profile. Legroom is on par with or beats most of its competition; the same is true for cargo space. Unlike most manufacturers that have a few different engines for their compact offerings, Suzuki has just one for its Aerio: a 2.3-liter inline four that''s good for 155 horsepower. This engine replaces last year''s 2.0-liter motor, and besides offering more horsepower than most of the Aerio''s competition, the extra torque (152 pound-feet versus last year''s 136) improves acceleration on all-wheel-drive models. On the basis of power alone, the Aerio offers impressive performance for a car in its price range. The Aerio''s suspension uses MacPherson struts all around, but there''s plenty of body roll thanks to the car''s higher-than-average center of gravity. Consequently, the Aerio isn''t particularly rewarding to drive, though the soft suspension does soak up the bumps without jostling the passengers, making the car a decent choice for commuters. Is a cheap price, a few more horsepower and an optional AWD system enough to justify a purchase? In such a competitive segment, there are other choices we''d look at first before the Aerio. If you''re looking for a compact capable of handling the rough weather, however, the Aerio might be worth a look.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Aerio is offered as a sedan in S and LX trim and a wagon version in SX trim. With the S, you get 14-inch steel wheels with covers, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, daytime running lights, air conditioning, a seven-speaker stereo with a CD player, power windows and mirrors and split-folding rear seats. With the LX and SX, you get all of the above plus 15-inch aluminum wheels, keyless remote entry, foglamps, a rear spoiler, color-keyed door handles and mirrors, chrome exhaust tips, an in-dash six-disc CD changer with seven speakers, power door locks, cruise control, reading lamps, below-seat storage bin and front-seat back pockets. Optional equipment for all models includes floor mats and four-wheel ABS; the LX and SX have the additional option of AWD. ABS-equipped cars can also add automatic climate control.
Powertrains and Performance:
The Aerio has a competitive 2.3-liter inline four engine that produces 155 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on front-wheel-drive Aerios, and a four-speed automatic is optional. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive system, the automatic comes standard.
Safety:
Unlike many of its segment competitors, the Aerio is not available with side-impact airbags. Antilock brakes are optional. In frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Aerio earned a "Good" rating, the highest possible.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
With an overall height three to four inches greater than other vehicles in its class, the Aerio boasts a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room, and passengers will find it easy to get in and out. Sedans offer a generous 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space; wagons provide 21 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 64 cubic feet when they''re folded. The Aerio''s digital dash display is a hit-or-miss item as some will like its futuristic look, while others will find it small and dated-looking. Interior plastics are low in quality compared to the class leaders in the economy car segment, and occupants will find precious little storage space for cell phones and mints.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Solid power from the standard four-cylinder engine makes the Aerio impressively peppy for daily commutes; match it with either the automatic or the manual and you can''t lose. The Aerio provides a smooth ride on the highway, but the cost is excessive body roll around corners that is accentuated by the car''s tall stance. Opting for the all-wheel-drive system on LX and SX models gives the Aerio true rough weather capability.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ SUZUKI Information Index ] [ SEDAN, WAGON Information Index ]
|
