2003 Suzuki Aerio Review
Fuel Economy
23 - 25 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A worthwhile compact car from Suzuki. It is, however, still a few steps behind the pack leaders.
Pros
Wagon-body style, available all-wheel drive, affordable price, large interior, powerful standard engine.
Cons
Strange interior design, missing some key features.
What's New for 2003
As the Aerio is a recent introduction to the market, there aren't that many changes for 2003. Suzuki has bumped the horsepower up by four to 145 and nudged the torque up one pound-foot to 135. Other additions include integrated cruise control buttons on the steering wheel, a three-point seatbelt and headrest for rear center seat and a new cloth design. The GS and SX models drop the rear-seat armrest, get a six-disc in-dash CD player and have the optional all-wheel-drive available.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Kooky looks, but proves itself.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Suzuki Aerio SX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I picked this car up with 87,000 on it. It was cheap, and I needed a second car, that was small, economical, and a hatchback. We take our Shepherd and Boxer with us, ALOT!. I didn't give too much thought to it when I found it, except that it was in good shape, was a hatchback, and had a/c (we live in Florida). To my surprise, I've found this little car to be a real trooper. Strange looking, yes, and it does garner strange looks from passer-bys, but, the fold down rear seats, high roof line and enormous front doors have been much appreciated. We are not small people, I'm 6', partner is 6'4", and getting in and out is a breeze. Headroom is fantastic. It's been very reliable too. Good bargain.
Favorite Features
Very wide doors, high seat level, allows EASY ingress/egress. Fold-flat rear seats allows excellent cargo space. Very good stereo/cd. Lots of rear leg room, even with front seats fully pushed back.
Suggested Improvements
Well, no longer in production, so it wouldn't matter. But from a 2003 point- of-view, probably a change slot, and a few more storage cubbies in the front. Intermittent rear wiper, rather than just slow/fast constant "on".
Reliable but the body stinks!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Suzuki Aerio GS Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Suzuki in 2003... OH I was in love with it and I still love this car. The gas mileage... you can really depend on this car! However you should know that the body was made very cheap. Every Suzuki I see on the road is missing the same front and back pieces on the front and back bumper... both pieces fell off on their own. Of course in 2009 I had well over 130K miles on this baby because I traveled A LOT in it so my car never had any major problems... Another thing you might want to know is if you get into an accident with the body parts being so cheap your car will most likely get totaled. I know this because someone hit my car while it was parked last Saturday and totaled it!
Favorite Features
Exterior design, Roomy Interior, Gas Mileage and Dependable
Suggested Improvements
BETTER body parts... ones that won't fall off!
What a surprise!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Suzuki Aerio SX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Well, it's like falling into some "parallel" universe when you get in this car. It looks quite small, but once you're in, it feels cavernous. I like the way I feel like I'm sitting "high" even though it's a small car, and not an suv. I'm a BIG guy, 6'1", 230 pounds, and I have NO problem getting in and out. The drivers door is quite long, it opens wide and entry/exit is a breeze. Amazing little car. Didn't expect to fall in love with it like I have, it was just a "second" car purchase to have an extra car. Love, love, love it!
Favorite Features
Headroom, wide opening doors, easy entry/exit. You sit rather "high" for a small car.
Suggested Improvements
Hey, what can you pick apart? It's an inexpensive car that is more than worth it's price tag.
Basic car... Awesome reliability
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Suzuki Aerio GS Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car off my buddy who sold it to me with only 30K miles on it. I have put 20K on it so far. I agree that bumpers are kinda low. The interior is basic. It has a surprising amount of head room despite looking small from the outside. I disagree with Edmund's mileage assessment. I ALWAYS get above 30 mpg. (I have the 5 spd manual). I plan to drive this car in to the ground and hope to get 300K miles. The only bad thing about this car is that if you get dings and such, you can only get Suzuki parts (can be expensive relative to Toyota/Honda). If you have a Civic or Corolla, there are TONS of aftermarket companies that make parts.
Favorite Features
MPG 30+ Interior size. Back seat leg room. Overall, surprisingly roomy. Large Trunk.
Suggested Improvements
Cruise control on manual. I paid $300 to have an aftermarket CC put on my Aerio. Best $300 I have ever spent! I also put in my own stereo and speakers to upgrade also... it sounds great.
Poor exterior
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Suzuki Aerio S Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
The car is fun to drive and has been reliable. I like the standard features. I've put an additional 70,000 without a mechanical problem, however the body integrity is poor. The bumber is too low and scapes on too many things. The bumber is ready to fall off. Also the 6 CD play no longer works, some dash lights don't work properly. Gas mileage is so-so. It has worked well but I would look at a Toyota first.
Favorite Features
Cruise control
Suggested Improvements
More body intergrity.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2007 Suzuki Aerio
- 2006 Suzuki Aerio
- 2005 Suzuki Aerio
- 2004 Suzuki Aerio
- 2003 Suzuki Aerio
- 2002 Suzuki Aerio
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