Vehicle: 2003 Suzuki Aerio SX hatchback with 5-speed stick

Performance: With a 2.0L 16-valver DOHC engine that bumps out 141hp and 135 lb/ft of torque, the Aerio’s performance is more than adequate considered its weight and size. There are enough torque for daily driving and freeway merging. The engine provides power in a more flexible fashion than Suzuki’s 4 bangers of old. However, as with all Suzuki 4 bangers. This 2.0L doesn’t not feel as refine or flexible as many of its competitors. The engine feels rough and noisy during throttle and tend to run out of stream at the redline. The 5-speed shifter has decent shift feel. The gates are clear although it feels somewhat rubbery at times. Clutch is light and progressive.

Handling: One word to describe Aerio’s dynamic is: average. There are tons of understeer and body rolls as you push it through the corners. The steering lacks proper feedback both off and on-center despite the response is above average. Those wheels tend to scream out loud as you push it. The suspension feels firm but doesn’t seem to provide the dynamic it supposed to have. Ride comfort, once again, is about average.

Interior: As with the handling characteristics, the interior is average. While the radio and climate control switches are placed on a logically placed position. All the power windows, locks and mirrors are standard fare in an SX. There are few problems wth Aerio’s interior. Instead of using traditional gauges, Suzuki goes the route of providing numberial and bar “tachometer” that fly around in front of the driver. Its rather annoying when you see “numbers” flying around when driving. The traditional gauges work a lot better for the driver. Secondly, all the buttons for different functions are placed all around the center console, some of them are blocked by the steering on the left. Suzuki should group them together in a single unit. Thirdly, the top of the dashboard is all covered with cheap plastic. These hard and flimsy look really out-of-place considered how much this SX sold at. Fourly, I still don’t see a point of the little trangular winshield in front of the driver. It makes the side mirrors placed in a rather weird position and driver is harder to determine the front of the vehicle. This design really reminds me of GM’s infamous dustbuster minivans.

Brakes: With front discs/rear drums and standard ABS, Aerio’s pedal feel is better than average.

Conclusion: There’s no better word to describe the Aerio than competent. Those who are shopping for an Aerio should take a serious look at Protege5 and Matrix before making the final decision, that’s primarily because these are far superior cars. The premium paying for these cars are worthwhile over the Aerio.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 SUZUKI AERIO SX HATCHBACK
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Performance: 2/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/feel-good factor: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2/5