Suzuki Aerio Wagon
The 2002 Suzuki Aerio will be available in showrooms starting in March. Read the full story here: here. And let us know what you think. Thanks! ;-)
Revka
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Otherwise, not too shabby. Has those nice modern pull out door handles. Not something you can say about a $25,000 S40! Not the main reason I'd buy a car, but it doesn't hurt.
In many ways, the Aerio SX is an expression of the so-called "multi-activity vehicle" idea that was pioneered by Renault's ground-breaking Scenic way back in 1996: a vehicle that has very flexible interior arrangements and reasonably roomy, but doesn't have the stigma of a real minivan. Customers who want vehicles with good carrying capacity but want standard automobile parking ability and fuel efficiency will be drawn to these new vehicles. I expect the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix "twins" to be extremely popular for the very same reason.
Only thing they don't list there is the curb weight and final prices.
I found a Suzuki site in Japan with a PDF in english that listed the curb weight of the Aerio sedan as 2535lbs, though that was with a 1.5L engine. The 2L 16V DOHC engine probably adds a few pounds but for the extra horses, who cares??? Plus, the 5-door could be lighter than the sedan, as it is shorter.
I really like the handling of the Swift/Metro (really fun to drive) and have always wished for something more powerful and a bit bigger. I love the hatch but 2 doors can be inconvenient so 4 doors plus a hatch sounds really good. Needless to say, I have high hopes for the Aerio SX! The nearest dealer is not that close to me here (about 40km away) but I'll go out there if I must.
I'm disappointed that the real vehicle has not lived up to the hype about it. It was supposed to have 180 hp and AWD available. I don't see any "sport" version like that.
The styling is a let down. The concept car, although a bit out there, had pretty cool styling. The production version looks like a Colt Vista wagon. (if you remember those)
I thought this might be a serious contender with the Matrix/Vibe and the Protege5. But I don't think this will even put a dent in those sales. Suzuki has an image problem here in the states and producing boring, basic little cars is part of the problem. This Aerio is not going to help in that department.
We have an XL-7 and love it. Suzuki is a great buy for the money, I just wish they would come out of the closet and make something that people would say "WOW" about.
If they're going to offer a 180hp powerplant, I hope they make it a useful one, not one that gets it at 7600rpm like the Vibe/Matrix GT. That isn't useful for everyday driving, IMO.
See http://209.67.7.67/en/auto/aerf-f.htm
If that doesn't work, go to http://www.suzuki.ca, go to automotive and then choose Aerio Fastback (there is a sedan too).
The Aerio Fastback SX has more features than a Matrix XR (including ABS, not even available on the Matrix XR) for $2000 less!
The base Aerio Fastback is almost $900 less than a base Matrix but it includes power windows, intermittent wipers, etc., missing on the base Matrix. The power windows sort of make up for the lack of A/C (base Matrix also lacks A/C but at least with power windows you can open all the windows from your seat to get some airflow).
With a bigger, more powerful engine (than all but the much more expensive XRS model), the choice for me is pretty obvious. I want something a bit smaller than the Matrix anyway to replace my Geo Metro. I suspect that the Aerio won't have quite the demand that the Matrix has either, so perhaps there won't be a multi-month wait for it.
Here's a direct link to Preview: 2002 Suzuki Aerio, A Little Bit More, by Warren Clarke. What do you think? Thanks for your comments.
Revka
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I'll be test-driving the Aerio soon and my only possible complaint might be the rear suspension. Rear Macpherson struts are usually there on small cars only to accomodate AWD, which it sounds like they are bringing out in the fall; to save costs they decided to use the same suspension with both drivetrains. But for FWD cars that don't have rear differentials, etc. back there, usually they have enough room for a nicer rear multilink suspension like in the P5, Elantra GT and ZX5. The Matrix/Vibe has a nice wishbone in AWD but only torsion-beam axle in FWD which must be there to increase the cargo room (means no strut mounts in the trunk taking up space). Anyway, the test-drive of the Aerio will tell, maybe 4-wheel mac struts won't be so bad after all...
Axxess was sold in the US in the '90 and '91 model years. However, it continued in Canada through the '95 model year. I think it just wasn't particularly popular in the US, and since the Quest was coming for '93, they chose to cancel it.
-Andrew L
Revka
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I just came from a test drive of Aerio. It is already available in Canada. I drove the top SX model. Exterior is pretty. The interior is... Well, I don't want to bash the car, but interior is CHEAP. Electronic instruments are hard to read. May be some time behind its wheel would help. Plenty of space, rear seats are higher than front ones, which is nice. Engine has power and torque, but is not refined at all. It is livable, just not up to, let's say, Sentra's or Protege's 2.0L. I really liked suspensions. They are tight, but not harsh. Steering is nice too. 5 speed which I tested is very nice. Throws are short. Synchronizer is really good. Every shift was smooth. Wind and tire noise well dumped (or may be because engine was a bit loud?). Stereo has cassette and CD players with 6 speakers. But sound is so-so. The folding door mirrors are big. My biggest complain is a breakes. They are way too soft. The car is definitely a step above Esteem and if somebody is looking for a Japan made hatchback in a basic form this car definitely should be considered, b/c price is right and it drives pretty nicely. But if you want more refined car and don't mind to spend a little more then look elsewhere.
The main problem with my car is that it has poor resale value, which is an overall Suzuki problem. They just don't hold their value like Hondas and Toyotas. I want a Fastback for myself but wonder if I can even get 1-2K CND$ as a trade-in on my '95. If I can't get that much then it seems silly to trade in a small and somewhat underpowered but otherwise perfectly running vehicle for a new one, even one as affordable as the Aerio. We'll see -- I may test drive an Aerio tomorrow if it doesn't snow.
Some other nameplates and their 12-year recall records: Nissan 38, Toyota 19, Honda 22, Subaru 24, Mazda 47, BMW 99, VW 41, Volvo 36.
The engine is really noisy, and liquid-filled engine mounts or not, lots of vibrations get through to the seat, steering wheel and pedals. More noticable with the auto, probably as I didn't have to think about shifting an unfamiliar car. The engine doesn't have a nice roar, it has an annoying, grating buzz.
Shift points in the auto are not great for gas mileage, turning over 2100RPM at 50mph or so in 4th gear. For a minute I wasn't sure it had a fourth gear as it didn't want to shift up (maybe just needs a break-in).
The clutch on the manual is not bad and the shifter is precise but the downshift from 5th to 4th is a bit hard to find.
The power is nice in a 2600lb car but it feels louder and vibrates more than my 3-banger Metro which means the 6-speaker stereo doesn't sound good at all (though that one does sound better than the 4-speaker one in the GLX). Even with the engine off it isn't a good sounding stereo, especially compared to the one in my Saturn (8-speaker). The stereo is ugly too and has strange controls. If it has fade, I couldn't find it.
In reality, having a Geo Metro with A/C and a stereo would probably be just as good for a one-person commuter car. In fact, the 4-speaker boombox with an mp3 player in the back seat of my Metro sounds better than the 6-speaker Clarion so all I'm really missing with my current ride is the A/C...
Cruise control is on the centre console??? Whose idea was that?
Never could figure out the driver's seat height adjustment. Overall, the seating feels high like a minivan, not like a car. Without being able to adjust the height I was _just_ able to adjust tilt and seat position back and forth to where I was comfortable.
Digital instruments are weird -- I'm sure I could get used to them but I find that I can 'read' analog gauges in my peripheral vision while a numerical speed indication is not readible unless you are looking right at it, and its varying brightness (by more or less LEDs lit) is distracting.
Handling of the SX with 15" aluminum wheels and low-profile tires was a bit better than the GLX with 14" steel wheels and 65 profile tires.
On paper I really liked the car but I think I need something more refined at this point, which is too bad.
The car is more powerful but so much heavier than my Metro (700 pounds more) that it doesn't feel nearly as nimble. Sad, as I was hoping to like the car. Does look really nice in blue too.
Guess I'll go test drive a Vibe and maybe a P5. And I should wait for the Saturn ION which will have an counterbalance-shaft equipped ECOTECH engine like the smooth, quiet, powerful one in my LW200. Just goes to show that power isn't everything.
Oh well, not everyone shares my opinion as many of the ones on the lot were already sold and they haven't even advertised them yet.
Oh, & I'm with you on the digital instruments....biggest disappointment of the interior....what were they thinking?
The Elantra GT and ZX5 are really putting me off by their looks; I don't even think I can bring myself to test drive them. I'm waiting for a Vibe test drive and should do the P5 too, though its looks don't really grab me either. If the Vibe and P5 are poor in the engine power department then I'll reconsider the Aerio again.
The liquid-filled engine mounts had me hoping for a refined ride but I guess they really had to hop up that engine to get it to go 141hp with all 135lb-ft of torque available down at 3000rpm -- it must be practically race tuned for an 87 octane motor. That plus the two-stage timing chain which is known to be very reliable, but noisy -- again, sounds like racecar tuning.
I saw a Vibe on the same day and probably would have bought one if they had not loaded it up with $2,000.00 worth of stuff that I did not want. I think the basic Vibe is a very good looking vehicle. Anyhow,the bottom line is: The Matrix XR with an automatic cost $21,900 and the Aerio GLX cost just over $19,000 and I personally would be satisfied with the equipment for that price. Styling is another issue.
Will pick up my new unit tomorrow. I like the idea of the 141 HP motor and the green makes the car look completely different and buyable for me. Colour may not be a big issue with the Sedan which looks different. The Matrix is quieter than the Suzuki. But, I kind of like the growl.
BTW, your freight is lower than here ($995 here), I assume because the boat from Japan just drops them off in BC while they have a loooong truck drive out to Ontario.
My local Pontiac dealer finally has a Vibe to test drive. I'll let you know how I think they compare.
Revka
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http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/02aerio.htm
for a favourable preview + some big pix.
i am shopping, and was quoted $975 freight and PDI for the suzuki, and a whopping $1795 for freight and PDI for the hyundai. both cars seem to come to the same cost after you add in all the additional charges. does anyone know how much dealers in canada (edmonton) move on the prices of these vehicles? what would be a good purchase price for each one with an automatic?
i am torn between the two cars. the elantra gt is your typical, euro-looking vehicle and is quieter. but the aerio is quite different, and in yellow just screams attention. so, it may come down to price and resale as far as which way i go.
The looks of the Elantra are turning me off too, just personal preference but something about the styling doesn't hit it.
Finally, sounds like a silly reason, but the Elantra is a bit too long. Our driveway isn't that long and unless I take my wife's advice and get rid of our concrete side steps, replacing my Geo Metro with something a lot bigger is going to make parking our two cars a headache. There IS enough room but if one or both don't park 'perfectly' then it would be tight. The Aerio is 166.5" long while the Elantra is 177" long, which is quite a difference. The Vibe is 172" long, which is better but still quite a bit bigger. My Metro hatch is just 150" long, if you can believe that, so the Elantra is more than 2 feet longer, which might be a tight squeeze.
perhaps the marketing folk are counting on most people buying the mid-tier vehicle (the glx), and so that is where the largest profit is. i don't know what the invoice prices are for the various aerio models and also for the elantra, but it would help. i have a friend who let me use use his car cost canada account to get the invoice prices but they have changed the way you get prices.
i guess it seems to be a toss up between a "traditional" looking car and a "radical" looking car
According to www.carcostcanada.com the freight on a Hyundai Elantra GT is a whopping $375.00. So I would get the quote on paper and then give a little call to Hyundai Canada. That's insane! $1795!!!
Too bad there wasn't any information on the Aerio, though. My experience at the Hyundai dealer regarding the "pricing" has sort of turned me off on going back there to have a closer look.
I must say, it's Suzuki's best attempt yet to sell a small car in the North American market.
The Suzuki exhibit was empty this year at the Detroit auto show. I sprawled out on the carpet and took a nice nap there... I didn't see the Aerio there, but I picked up some literature on it.
martyn
It's replacing my 1991 Chevy Turbo Sprint (a Suzuki 1 litre 3 banger with Turbo!) It has been extremely reliable for me in the last 11 years. IE: I had to finally replace the timing belt at 260 k, new alternator at 250k, new shocks in front 5 or 6 years ago, and not much else except tires and shocks.
Revka
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I much prefer a hatchback to a sedan, but now that I have a minivan - I guess I can look at sedans too. Have you driven the Matrix yet? I don't really like the looks of it (trying too hard to be different) but it seems to be a nice car - wish they had a Corolla wagon/hatch still.
I agree that I could probably get by with just a sedan now, though I do like hatches for times when I need the cargo space and my wife has the wagon (the usual situation).
Unfortunately, I think the Prizm has been discontinued in Canada for some time so that option isn't there.
I doubt the Corolla will do quite as well as the Metro on gas, but it may come close. I don't love the look of the Matrix, or the new Corolla or the new Camry for that matter but maybe I could get past the looks. Even the Corolla is kind of expensive next to the Aerio, with the automatic CE with package B about the same price as the Aerio GLX but with the Aerio having a big edge on options (fastback or sedan choice, power windows, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, etc.) so once again the choice would be down to features vs. refinement for the same money.
Finally, the Corolla is a bit long. Driveway space is a bit tight with our silly big side steps and the Vibe/Matrix is 6" shorter than the Corolla; the Aerio fastback is almost a foot shorter than the Corolla. 6" doesn't seem like much except when you pull in and realize you have to pull the other car up some to get your trunk off the sidewalk before the parking ticket appears on your windshield. Another reason why I like hatches: they're usually shorter.