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2006 Suzuki Aerio Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2006 Suzuki Aerio Review:
2006 Suzuki Aerio Review
Antilock brakes are standard instead of optional for 2006 on the smaller of Suzuki's two compact offerings. Aerio comes as a 4-dr sedan and as the SX 4-dr wagon. All have a 155-hp 4-cyl engine with either manual transmission or optional automatic. All-wheel drive is available on models with automatic transmission. Front side airbags are standard. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. All Aerios come with air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt steering wheel, CD player, and split folding rear seats.
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 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.
Our Best Buys include Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.
News
The unconventional, slow-selling Aerio won't be back for 2007. Taking its place in Suzuki's U.S. lineup is the SX4, a compact 4-dr wagon with seating for five, a 98.4-inch wheelbase, and projected MSRPs of $15,000-$18,000. The only engine is a 143-hp 2.0-liter 4-cyl mating to 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmissions. Typical of crossovers, it offers front-wheel drive or AWD. The latter, which Suzuki calls "intelligent AWD," lacks low-range gears, but has a dashboard knob for selecting 2WD, AWD Auto, and AWD Lock. The last locks in power to the rear wheels up to 36 mph, then reverts to Auto mode. Antilock brakes and 16-inch wheels are standard, as are front torso and full-length curtain side airbags. An optional Premium Package adds stability/traction control. A standard 60/40 split folding rear bench seat expands cargo space from 9.5 to a maximum 22 cu.ft. SX4 shapes up as one of the more economical small crossovers. Suzuki quotes EPA city/highway mpg of 24/29 with manual transmission, 24/30 with automatic. Sales begin in the third quarter of 2006.
2006 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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
Quick steering. Good grip in turns, but aggressive cornering induces more-than-moderate body lean. Tidy size, tight turning circle help in close quarters.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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)
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.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| 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 |
2006 Suzuki Aerio Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/13/2006
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| Base 4-door sedan, manual | $13,999 | $13,439 | $580 |
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| Base 4-door sedan, automatic | $14,899 | $14,303 | $580 |
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| AWD Base 4-door sedan, automatic | $15,999 | $15,359 | $580 |
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| Base w/Premium Pkg. 4-door sedan, manual | $14,999 | $14,399 | $580 |
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| Base w/Premium Pkg. 4-door sedan, automatic | $15,899 | $15,263 | $580 |
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| AWD Base w/Premium Pkg. 4-door sedan, automatic | $16,899 | $16,223 | $580 |
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| SX 4-door wagon, manual | $14,499 | $13,919 | $580 |
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| SX 4-door wagon, automatic | $15,399 | $14,783 | $580 |
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| AWD SX 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,499 | $15,839 | $580 |
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| SX w/Premium Pkg. 4-door wagon, manual | $15,199 | $14,591 | $580 |
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| SX w/Premium Pkg. 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,099 | $15,455 | $580 |
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| AWD SX w/Premium Pkg. 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,999 | $16,319 | $580 |
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
Base
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock brakes, emergency inside trunklid 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, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler, 185/65R14 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, heated power mirrors.
Base w/Premium Pkg. adds to Base:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, heated power mirrors, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, variable-intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
195/55R15 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
SX adds to Base:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cargo cover, rear wiper/washer, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
195/55R15 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, heated power mirrors.
SX w/Premium Pkg. adds to SX:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, heated power mirrors, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, variable-intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
2006 Suzuki Aerio Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Suzuki Aerio 4-door sedan | Suzuki Aerio SX 4-door wagon |
| 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 |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 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 wagon |
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
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Tester's Comments
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Major Options: N/A Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 28.22 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Ed Piotrowski Aerio is the anti-Fit, and I believe, one of the best cars nobody knows about. What it lacks in refinement, it makes up for in features per dollar. That dollar value is further enhanced by discounts as dealers clear out inventory to make way for the 2007 SX4. |
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Also in the 2006 Suzuki Aerio Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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