2005 Suzuki Aerio: Road Test
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2005 Suzuki Aerio ▼
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- MSRP: $13,499 -$17,349
- Invoice: $12,776 -$16,481
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Our road test for the 2005 Suzuki Aerio includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Suzuki Aerio from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Suzuki Aerio, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Suzuki Aerio help you decide if a 2005 Suzuki Aerio is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.1 |
Test front-drive SX with manual transmission felt quite lively, an automatic less so. AWD Aerios don't feel much slower than front-drive models.
FUEL ECONOMY
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 6.7 |
Test FWD SX with manual transmission averaged 24.3-27.4 in mixed driving. No opportunity to measure with automatic transmission or AWD. Suzuki recommends regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.6 |
Generally stable at highway speeds, though gusty crosswinds can mean mild wander. Tar strips, smaller bumps absorbed surprisingly well, but larger bumps can pound through, causing jiggle and bounce.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.4 |
Quick steering. Moderate grip in turns, but aggressive cornering induces more-than-moderate body lean and copious tire squeal. Tidy size, tight turning circle help in close quarters. Test SX without ABS suffered early rear-wheel locking in simulated panic stops.
QUIETNESS
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Wind, road noise intrude at even moderate speeds, and rough surfaces can induce tinny body drumming, particularly on wagons. Engine coarse, loud at full throttle.
CONTROLS
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.5 |
Analog gauges an improvement over the odd digi-graphic setup used previously. High-mounted radio and climate controls easy to reach and adjust. Set-and-forget automatic climate controls are standard--an unusual amenity in this price range. Solid cabin materials also impress for the price.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Plenty of head room, and all but S sedan come with height-adjustable driver seat, but tall drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Firm, supportive seats mount high, help ease entry/exit. Tall build, lowish dashtop combine for commanding forward view, but thick rear pillars impede over-the-shoulder visibility.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.6 |
Quite good for the 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
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 7 | 7 | 3.9 |
Sedan's tall trunk is large for the class, but doesn't go far forward. Roomy wagon's bumper-height cargo area easy to load, and removing floor panel reveals several handy compartments. Note that AWD trims cargo volume by 3.1 cu ft in sedans, 4.2 in wagons. All Aerios have split rear seatbacks that fold easily and lay flat once headrests are removed and seat bottoms flipped forward. Handy bins contribute to good interior storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 5.8 |
Aerio is not as sporty or refined as top-rated rivals, and Suzuki sells far fewer cars than most competitive brands, which hurts resale values. But these small sedans and wagons excel as efficient, low-price commuter cars. And they are among the few in this class to offer the all-weather traction of all-wheel drive.
Total Score
| FWD LX sdn, man. | FWD SX wgn, man. | AWD SX wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 51 | 50 | 48.6 |
Total Score: 50
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