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| (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123) |
Getting better with ageAlright, I have to admit that my expectations were rather low before taking the wheel of Suzuki's compact sedan. But after a few days of driving, I was amazed at how well-built, comfortable and spacious this car really is.
To my defense, the last time I touched a Suzuki-built car was in my gas-pump attendant days about 10 years ago, which my colleagues are probably sick and tired of hearing about now. I can remember lifting the hoods of Swifts, Geo Metros and Pontiac Fireflys and having the impression they were made out of tin foil. I would rarely close the hood without adding a quart of oil or three. When the tank would be full and the pump nozzle would stop by itself, you could only add about 16 cents before overflowing it, making rounding off to the next dollar a messy challenge. Ah, such fond and stinky memories.
Fast forward to 2005, Suzuki's Aerio is in its fourth year of production, and has undergone many changes. The model lineup is simplified to only one trim level for both the sedan and two for the wagon, with the recent addition of a special edition model. Gone are the stripper models, as the Aerio now comes all dressed only.
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| (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123) |
On the outside, previous base versions had bumpers that were rounded way in, exposing half of the tires and making the car look a little goofy. That probably turned off quite a few buyers. High-end models, though, had an extensive spoiler and side skirt kit that hung only a few inches off the ground, giving the car a boy-racer look. That probably also turned off quite a few buyers. But this year, Suzuki has cut a compromise between the two and put new squared-off bumpers front and rear, and modest-sized side skirts, just right. The previous grille looked like it had a grey moustache; gone, replaced by a new grille with a big new Suzuki logo. The headlights are also new.
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| (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123) |
On the inside, the old Spaceballs dashboard has been ditched in favour of a new one complete with analog gauges, a silver-coloured center stack as well as silver accents around the air vents. The radio has been lowered in the dash, and there are new heating and ventilation controls. Everything looks upscale and is simple to use. The top of the dash is made from a flexible plastic, not some rock-hard stuff found in some of its competitors. There are audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, a nice touch, but they're located on the bottom left side of the hub, where my hand rarely resides, since I always drive with my left hand on the top of the wheel while shifting with my right hand. On automatic transmission cars, the location of my right hand shall remain confidential.
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| (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123) |
The seats in the Aerio are quite comfortable. You sit straight and high up, like in a Toyota Echo, for example. You'll be waiting at traffic lights, towering over people sitting in their Maximas and BMWs. Headroom is impressive for a car of this size; if I owned a Stetson I would definitely wear it while driving in the Aerio. The seats are sewn up in a good-looking and good-feeling sport fabric, and the driver has an angle-adjustable seat cushion as well as a right armrest. The sunglasses compartment is oddly located in the top of the driver's door. The headliner is covered in fabric.
