Acceleration

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	4	3	4.4

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

Base sdn, man.	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

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4.9

Generally stable at highway speeds, though gusty crosswinds can cause mild wander. Tar strips, smaller bumps absorbed surprisingly well, but larger bumps can pound through, causing jiggle and bounce.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5.6

Quick steering. Good grip in turns, but aggressive cornering induces more-than-moderate body lean. Tidy size, tight turning circle help in close quarters.

Quietness

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	3	3	4.2

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

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.9

Gauges clearly marked, easy to read. High-mounted radio and climate controls simple 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)

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.5

Plenty of head room with standard 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)

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	3.9

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

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	8	8	4.7

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 and 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

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
4	5	6	6.2

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-priced commuter cars, and they are among the few in this class to offer the all-weather traction of all-wheel drive.

Total Score

Base sdn, man.	SX wgn, man.	AWD SX wgn, auto.	Class Average
48	52	51	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64