Aerio SX: Economy Without Sacrifice
By ED MURPHY
theday.com
Buying an affordable new car is often like a trip to a fast food restaurant: The entre is inexpensive, but if you go for all the side dishes, you end up with a big bill and a tummy ache.
The same thing seems to happen with economy vehicles, where you pay a low base price, but then get hammered by the add-ons. Instead of hearing Do you want fries with that? it's more like: Would you like a steering wheel with that?
The general rule appears to be a rather simple one: The higher the starting price the more that will be included. Conversely, the lower the price, the more options that will be required.
And when the car starts out at $15,449 like the 2005 Suzuki Aerio SX test vehicle, you can hear the little ka-chings going off in the back of your head as you notice each of the details.
The Aerio comes in two flavors, the more sedate sedan and the hatchback. Both cars, though, have the same engine: a 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder that delivers 155 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 152 ft.lbs. of torque that peaks at a very accessible 3,000 rpm. Suzuki proudly points out that these numbers represent a substantial advantage over the Honda Civic DX (115 hp/110ft.lbs torque), and the Toyota Corolla CE and Toyota Matrix XR, both rated at 130 horsepower and 125 ft.lbs. of torque. None of those three models has a torque peak within 1,000 rpm of the Aerio. Suzuki could get a flag here for piling on, but they also state the Aerio SX has a larger engine and more horsepower than the Ford Focus, Pontiac Vibe, Scion xB and Kia Spectra5. Enough, guys, we get the message.
Climb inside and check out the automatic climate control, tilt steering column, power windows and power and heated mirrors, rear window wiper and defroster, remote keyless entry and power locks and audio system with in-dash six CD changer, seven speakers (including subwoofer) and redundant controls on the steering wheel. It also has fog lamps, alloy wheels and aftermarket-type sealed taillamps.
Along with those items came the word you most want to see on a window sticker: Included.
Suzuki used the coveted I word 29 times on the test car's sticker, meaning you get a very nicely equipped vehicle for a very reasonable base price.
You could very easily stop there and be quite happy with the results.
But if you'd like to spice the package up a bit, try the Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) styling package, a limited-edition grouping that includes carbon fiber-style body graphics and trim (including dark headlamp surrounds), SWT floor mats, interior lighting, and alloy wheels in chrome, gunmetal gray or rally racing-inspired white. The cost is a very reasonable $600, and it sets this little car apart from the crowd.
Painted a bright hue called Racy Red, the test vehicle had a look that's easy on young eyes, along with that price that's just as easy on young wallets.
Basically, the 2005 Aerio SX is what Suzuki calls a five-door sport crossover, but you can think of it as a sporty hatchback wagon. The rear spoiler, along with the two-tone tailgate, add to the sporty appeal of the SX
The dash gets a new, simpler layout for 2005, with a conventional analog speedometer and tachometer replacing the digital units found in previous models. The sound system is a cinch to operate and the climate controls work off three large knobs. It doesn't get much easier than that. A small assembly is placed on the top of the dash, providing time and temperature readouts. That's a very nice touch, especially in an economy car.
There are plenty of storage nooks up front and a generous 12.9 cubic feet of storage space in back when the seats are in the upright position. Lower the 60/40 split rear seat, and the capacity increases to 63.7 cubic feet. It will handle a lot of gear.
While several more expensive brands tout their safety records, Aerio models have earned the top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for performance in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test and were named among the Best Picks.
Article Source: http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/...d0-75f44c7249bf
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By ED MURPHY
theday.com
Buying an affordable new car is often like a trip to a fast food restaurant: The entre is inexpensive, but if you go for all the side dishes, you end up with a big bill and a tummy ache.
The same thing seems to happen with economy vehicles, where you pay a low base price, but then get hammered by the add-ons. Instead of hearing Do you want fries with that? it's more like: Would you like a steering wheel with that?
The general rule appears to be a rather simple one: The higher the starting price the more that will be included. Conversely, the lower the price, the more options that will be required.
And when the car starts out at $15,449 like the 2005 Suzuki Aerio SX test vehicle, you can hear the little ka-chings going off in the back of your head as you notice each of the details.
The Aerio comes in two flavors, the more sedate sedan and the hatchback. Both cars, though, have the same engine: a 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder that delivers 155 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 152 ft.lbs. of torque that peaks at a very accessible 3,000 rpm. Suzuki proudly points out that these numbers represent a substantial advantage over the Honda Civic DX (115 hp/110ft.lbs torque), and the Toyota Corolla CE and Toyota Matrix XR, both rated at 130 horsepower and 125 ft.lbs. of torque. None of those three models has a torque peak within 1,000 rpm of the Aerio. Suzuki could get a flag here for piling on, but they also state the Aerio SX has a larger engine and more horsepower than the Ford Focus, Pontiac Vibe, Scion xB and Kia Spectra5. Enough, guys, we get the message.
Climb inside and check out the automatic climate control, tilt steering column, power windows and power and heated mirrors, rear window wiper and defroster, remote keyless entry and power locks and audio system with in-dash six CD changer, seven speakers (including subwoofer) and redundant controls on the steering wheel. It also has fog lamps, alloy wheels and aftermarket-type sealed taillamps.
Along with those items came the word you most want to see on a window sticker: Included.
Suzuki used the coveted I word 29 times on the test car's sticker, meaning you get a very nicely equipped vehicle for a very reasonable base price.
You could very easily stop there and be quite happy with the results.
But if you'd like to spice the package up a bit, try the Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) styling package, a limited-edition grouping that includes carbon fiber-style body graphics and trim (including dark headlamp surrounds), SWT floor mats, interior lighting, and alloy wheels in chrome, gunmetal gray or rally racing-inspired white. The cost is a very reasonable $600, and it sets this little car apart from the crowd.
Painted a bright hue called Racy Red, the test vehicle had a look that's easy on young eyes, along with that price that's just as easy on young wallets.
Basically, the 2005 Aerio SX is what Suzuki calls a five-door sport crossover, but you can think of it as a sporty hatchback wagon. The rear spoiler, along with the two-tone tailgate, add to the sporty appeal of the SX
The dash gets a new, simpler layout for 2005, with a conventional analog speedometer and tachometer replacing the digital units found in previous models. The sound system is a cinch to operate and the climate controls work off three large knobs. It doesn't get much easier than that. A small assembly is placed on the top of the dash, providing time and temperature readouts. That's a very nice touch, especially in an economy car.
There are plenty of storage nooks up front and a generous 12.9 cubic feet of storage space in back when the seats are in the upright position. Lower the 60/40 split rear seat, and the capacity increases to 63.7 cubic feet. It will handle a lot of gear.
While several more expensive brands tout their safety records, Aerio models have earned the top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for performance in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test and were named among the Best Picks.
Article Source: http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/...d0-75f44c7249bf
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