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It is unlikely that most
economy sedan buyers have considered the Aerio while they were shopping, or
have even heard of it. Its quirky looks led to slow sales, and most
publications haven’t mentioned it since its 2002 introduction. Suzuki took
note of the original criticisms of the car, lightly revising its goofy
exterior and completely redoing its incoherent interior, replacing the
engine, and lowering the price. Few others have, which is a shame. The Aerio
is very roomy, quick, and (finally) inexpensive, and has warranty coverage
that almost matches Hyundai/Kia’s. It is not without flaws however;
complaints of its unsettled and rather noisy ride, and excessive body roll
remain, as does its mediocre crash-test performance and gas mileage. But
when priced with the value leaders of this class instead of the established
mainstreamers, it definitely deserves consideration from more consumers than
it has.
As noted, the Aerio can
feel unsettled at highway speeds. At low speeds, the car absorbs road
imperfections well, but is bit jittery. Body roll is pronounced, and the car
doesn’t feel particularly agile. The steering is responsive enough, but too
light. The 2.3-liter 4-cylinder provides capable acceleration under any
condition, though it isn’t quiet. Wind and road noises are also excessive,
and gas mileage is low for an economy car.
Inside, the Aerio’s front
seats are high and firm, and offer excellent space, but aren’t particularly
well-shaped. The rear seat is mounted high, which helps leg support but
diminishes headroom, which should be more abundant than it is considering
the Aerio’s particularly high roofline.
The interior looks and feels more upscale even than a number of pricier cars
here. The gauges are large and clear, but while the simple instruments are
logically arrayed, some buttons could be bigger. Drivers sit high and
comfortably and have excellent visibility. Entry/exit is very easy, thanks
to the high roofline, large footwells, and high-mounted seats. The trunk is
very large, but most of its volume is found in its height rather than the
more-useful floor space.
The Aerio reviewed here
came in at $14,881, one of the lowest prices in this group, and it is nicely
equipped at that price. Though safety features such as curtain-style side
airbags and traction control are not offered, it does include an automatic
climate control system, rare at this price point.
Overall,
the Aerio has its shortcomings, but offers enough to compensate for them at
its price. The Aerio is unlikely to continue past the 2007 model year, being
replaced by the new but inferior SX-4 model. If you want one, and there are
reasons to, move fast, as it offers some premium qualities at one of the
lowest prices here. But there are still better all-around cars, even at the
Aerio’s price.
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