Acceleration

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	3	3	4

A little weak away from a stop, but all Aerios pull nicely once underway, and AWD versions don't feel appreciably slower. Test 2WD automatic-transmission SX did 10.7 sec 0-60 mph. Engine has little power surplus in 40-65-mph range, but automatic transmission downshifts quickly for passing.

Fuel Economy

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
7	6	5	6.5

Test manual-transmission GS 2WD sedan averaged a satisfying 31.5 mpg in predominantly highway driving. Automatic transmission SXs tested in mixed city/highway driving averaged 22.3-25.9 mpg with 2WD, 20.1 with AWD.

Ride Quality

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	4	4	4.4

Reassuringly stable at highway speeds. Tar strips, smaller bumps absorbed surprisingly well. Some larger bumps pound through, causing body to jiggle and bound.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
5	5	5	5.3

Quick steering, well-controlled body lean combine for almost sporty feel, though small tires lose grip early in aggressive cornering. Short overall length, tight turning circle help in close quarters. Brake pedal suffers long, mushy travel. Non-ABS-equipped SX suffered early rear-wheel locking in simulated panic stops.

Quietness

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	3	3	3.7

Wind, road noise intrude at even moderate speeds. Engine coarse, loud in full throttle. Larger bumps drum through body.

Controls

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	4	4	5.6

Odd digital gauge layout arrayed horizontally before driver. Big speedometer readouts, but undersized fuel-level bar graph. Radio and climate controls just out of easy reach. Lots of hard plastic surfaces, but varied textures, colors, and shapes keep interior from looking cheap.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
7	7	7	4.8

Plenty of head room, and all but S sedan come with height-adjustable driver seat. Still, tall drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Firm, supportive seats mounted high for simple step-in-step-out entry/exit. Tall build, very low cowl combine for commanding view of road, though thick rear pillars detract from over-the-shoulder visibility.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	5	5	3.7

Quite good for car's exterior size. Wagon's tall roof affords ample head room. Sedan's lower roof cramps passengers taller than 5-ft-9. Knee room slightly better in sedan than wagon, but neither feels tight unless front seats are pushed far back. Large doors ease entry/exit.

Cargo Room

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	6	6	3.8

Sedan's tall trunk is large for the class but doesn't go far forward; note that fitting AWD components reduces sedan cargo volume to 11.5 cu ft. from 14.6. Roomy wagon's bumper-height cargo area easy to load, and removing floor panel reveals several handy compartments. Small-item storage rather limited inside both body styles, though there is a pull-out drawer under the front passenger's seat. All Aerios have split rear seatbacks that fold easily and lay flat once headrests are removed and seat bottoms flipped forward.

Value within Class

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
4	5	6	5.4

AWD is an attraction that adds a measure of all-weather, on-road security to efficiently designed cars that are relatively entertaining to drive and very competitively priced. Noise levels detract, and Aerio's awkward styling may turn off some shoppers. But their biggest shortcoming is Suzuki's low profile in the marketplace and its poor resale value vs. the top import brands.

Total Score

GS 2WD sdn, man.	SX 2WD, auto.	SX AWD	Class Average
47	48	48	47.2

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		47
High Score		62