1997 Suzuki Esteem Review
1997 Suzuki Esteem Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Reliable, economical transportation.
Cons
- Price is higher than it should be on an entry-level econobox.
What’s new
No changes to the economical Esteem.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$154/mo for Esteem GL
Esteem GL
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Sometime during the 1995 model year, the Suzuki Esteem debuted. We say sometime because it has been on the market for two years now and we still rarely see them on the roads. After investigating them we think that we've figured out why there are so few of them being sold. Although it's a cute little sedan, it suffers from too little power and too much MSRP, competing in a field of cars that offer superior value for the dollar. We don't dislike the Esteem. It's an attractive, well-equipped little car. The problem is that the window sticker makes us think Dodge Neon, while the car itself makes us think Kia Sephia. Get the drift?
All Esteems are powered by a 98-horsepower, 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder engine connected to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. A four-wheel independent suspension damps irregularities in the pavement. As of 1996, daytime running lights are standard.
Two trim levels are available, base GL and uplevel GLX. Air conditioning is standard on the GL, as well as power steering, rear window defogger, remote fuel door and trunk releases, dual mirrors and a fold-down rear seat. GLX models add power windows, locks and mirrors; as well as a recently upgraded cassette stereo, split-folding rear seat, tachometer and larger tires. An ABS option package is available for the GLX, and it includes cruise control.
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, the Esteem isn't very big inside or out. It offers about as much value as a Toyota Tercel DX sedan, which is to say, not much. The Japanese yen is simply too strong for Suzuki, or Toyota for that matter, to price their subcompact cars at a reasonable level. Domestic and South Korean nameplates offer far better value in this segment, especially when you consider the rather skimpy warranty Suzuki provides for the Esteem.
Like we said, we don't dislike this car. At another time, in another era, we'd wholeheartedly recommend it. In the nineties, however, we feel that there are other small sedans that offer far better value.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Suzuki Esteem.
5 star(22%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(34%)
2 star(11%)
1 star(0%)
9 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.13 out of 5 stars
Not to shabby
Cruzin Cheap, 04/10/2003
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
I've owned this rig for about a year
and haven't had any problems. I get
good gas milage (27) and seems to have
good pick up. The only problem I have
is that the interior components are
very crappy. The carpet has holes all
over the place and pulls out from the
frame very easily. It handles well and
I haven't had a single problem with the
engine. It is a bit narrow and … doesn't
fit 3 people in the back very well. The
front seats are kinda cheap (I can feel
the metal springs and I only weigh
160lbs). A fun cheap little car.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Amazing Little Car!
danac210, 12/22/2008
1997 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan
I bought this little car and even though it is over 11 years old it is running great. I only needed it to go about town in, and as I only work 2 miles from home, it is perfect. I do occasionally take for longer highway trips and it does great there too. I love this reliable, tiny car. I live up a really steep, windy driveway and it does well on the sharp curves. It gets excellent gas … mileage, friends have even commented on how rarely I need gas. I plan to take care of it and hope it lasts many years to come.
1.88 out of 5 stars
Transmission Problems
jbean1, 02/12/2004
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
Expect to have gear and transmission
problems after 50,000 miles.
3.88 out of 5 stars
Best car for the money
stormy23 , 11/25/2008
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
We bought this car with 60,000 miles on it in 1998. We have had this car for 10 years and only put a water pump into it and of course brakes and normal maintenance. The car now has 168000 miles and now has died on us. We are very upset. The engine locked up on it. But honestly ,we paid $9000 for it ,which was too much at the time but we needed a car and this is all we could get with our … credit at the time. I would recomend this car to anyone.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Suzuki Esteem, so we've included reviews for other years of the Esteem since its last redesign.
1997 Esteem Highlights
GL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $154/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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