2007 Suzuki Aerio
Suzuki Aerio
Overall Score - 6.5 (Mediocre)
The Aerio delivers a rare combination of all-wheel drive capabilities and a low price, but it does not match the superior quality and performance of class-leading budget cars. If you're in the market for a compact car, you should also consider the Honda Fit.
To be discontinued after the 2007 model year, the Suzuki Aerio is a competent small car but falls short of expectations in the competitive subcompact class. Edmunds notes, "it's a second- or third-string specialty player suited up against several heavy hitting all-purpose first stringers in the economy car game." Consumer Guide agrees with the majority: "Aerio is not as sporty or refined as top-rated rivals. But these sedans excel as efficient, low-price commuter cars."
What reviewers are pleased with is the 2007 Aerio's all-wheel drive, available on all its models, and unusual for its class. "When it comes to cheap wheels for winter driving, there's nothing quite like the Suzuki Aerio," BusinessWeek comments, later calling the sedan "the cheapest all-wheel drive on the market."
Although reviewers note the Aerio has an attractive price, Kelley Blue Book is one review that gripes, "the Aerio does not hold its value as well as the Honda Civic, Mazda3 or Toyota Matrix ... does a relatively low price tag, decent power and an optional AWD system justify the purchase of an Aerio sedan?" IntelliChoice gives the 2007 Suzuki Aerio a rating of "poor" based on its total cost of ownership.
Aerio Performance - 6.6 (Mediocre)
Reviewers found starting, stopping and cruising acceptable with the 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, DOHC engine. Cars.com notes, "It's more fun to drive than most small cars, and the Aerio easily whips around urban areas." continue
Aerio Exterior - 6.5 (Mediocre)
The aging Suzuki Aerio comes in two sedan versions, the base model and the premium SX. A redesign in 2005 gave the Aerio a new front bumper, grille and fog lamps, but the end result did not suit many auto writers. As MSN describes it, the Aerio is "not exactly cute; it's definitely not sexy." continue
Aerio Interior - 7.6 (Good)
As USA TODAY reports, "Because of its height advantage, the Suzuki Aerio boasts a surprising amount of interior room for its size, and passengers will find getting in and out fairly easy." Most road testers find the same. continue
Aerio Safety - 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2007 Suzuki Aerio has not received government crash test ratings for its driver and passenger protection in front and side impact crashes. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2007 Suzuki Aerio earned the highest rating possible, "good" for frontal-offset crash testing. However, the Aerio received "poor," the lowest rating, for side-impact testing. continue
Aerio Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2007 Suzuki Aerio reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Suzuki Aerio has a three-year/36,000-mile transferable warranty. continue