Vehicle History Report
Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.
- • New Cars
2005 Suzuki Aerio Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2005 Suzuki Aerio Review:
2005 Suzuki Aerio Review
Aerio gains front side airbags for 2005, along with revised styling inside and out. It comes in S and LX 4-dr sedans and an SX 4-dr wagon. All have a 155-hp 4-cyl engine with either manual transmission or optional automatic. Suzuki's QuadGrip all-wheel drive is optional in place of front-wheel drive for LX and SX with automatic transmission. Antilock brakes are optional on all models, front side airbags are newly standard. All Aerios include air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt steering wheel, CD player, and split folding rear seats. The LX and SX use 15-inch alloy wheels, the S 14-inch steel wheels. Styling revisions for 2005 include clear-lens taillamps and new front bumper and grille. Inside, a new dashboard includes analog gauges to replace digital, and the steering wheel gains audio controls. Like other Suzukis, Aerio carries a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes roadside assistance, and transferable 7/100,000 powertrain coverage with provision for a free loaner car.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
News
The latest line on Aerio has a redesign happening for model-year 2008. We have no specifics now, including whether the replacement will be Suzuki's own creation or another model borrowed from partner GM's South Korean arm. There's also talk of Suzuki adding a youth-oriented Aerio-size car for 2007, but it, too, is a mystery at the moment.
2005 Suzuki Aerio Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Available AWD | Noise |
| Maneuverability | Brake-pedal feel |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 48 | |
| High Score | 63 |
2005 Suzuki Aerio Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/03/2005
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| S 4-door sedan, manual | $13,499 | $12,776 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| S 4-door sedan, automatic | $14,349 | $13,631 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| LX 4-door sedan, manual | $15,149 | $14,391 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| LX 4-door sedan, automatic | $16,049 | $15,246 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| AWD LX 4-door sedan, automatic | $17,049 | $16,196 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| SX 4-door wagon, manual | $15,449 | $14,676 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| SX 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,349 | $15,531 | $545 |
|
|
|||
| AWD SX 4-door wagon, automatic | $17,349 | $16,481 | $545 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
S
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, power steering, tilt steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, rear defogger, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler, 185/65R14 tires, wheel covers.
LX/SX adds to S:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, heated power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover (SX), rear wiper/washer (SX).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, 195/55R15 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
Optional Equipment
Safety |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Antilock brakes
|
||
|
LX/SX, S
|
$500
|
$475
|
|
|
||
2005 Suzuki Aerio Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Suzuki Aerio 4-door sedan | Suzuki Aerio SX 4-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase, in. | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.3 | 166.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.7 | 67.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 60.8 | 61.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2661 | 2698 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.6 | 63.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.6 | 40.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.4 | 41.4 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 | 39.0 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.0 | 35.2 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.3 /140 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 155 @ 5400 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 152 @ 3000 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 25/31 |
| 4-speed automatic | 25/31 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Suzuki Aerio 4-door sedan | Suzuki Aerio SX 4-door hatchback |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 7/100,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 3/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
|
Tester's Comments
|
|||
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Major Options: None Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 25.51 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Mark Bilek Aerio is a perfectly acceptable compact wagon. However, the looks of the "works" package implies go, when there is none. The engine needs more refinement and better economy as well. Still the price and interior packaging make it a tempting alternative to competitors. Rick Cotta This is the best car Suzuki offers. Its biggest downfalls are a thrashy engine and the fact there are a growing number of good competitors with better brand reputations. Tom Appel At $15,500, the efficiently packaged Aerio is difficult to fault. Aerio is spacious, powerful enough, and nicely trimmed. I have no love for the dealer-installed SWT doodads, none which affect performance. Still some punky road warrior could well equip his Suzuki and still stay way under $20,000. |
|||
|
|
Also in the 2005 Suzuki Aerio Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Sell Your Car
Powered by:
-
MAKE -
CATEGORY
Subcompact Car
Compact Car
Midsize Car
Large Car
Premium Midsize Car
Premium Large Car
Sporty/performance Car
Premium Sporty/performance Car
Minivan
Full-size Van
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Compact Pickup Truck
Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Pickup Truck
Premium Compact Car
Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Exotic Car
