2002 Suzuki Aerio

Suzuki has introduced an all-new vehicle called the Aerio. The Aerio is among the new class of crossover vehicles that are a blend between two different kinds of vehicles. Suzuki calls the Aerio SX a "sport crossover" vehicle, a cross between a sport sedan and, well, something more versatile. A minivan? SUV? Wagon? We're not sure, but it's certainly different, much like the new Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, and similar to the Ford Focus ZX3 and ZX5 and Mazda Protege5. Regardless of what you call these cars, they are more entertaining than a station wagon, but have similar cargo capacity.
The Suzuki Aerio comes as a sedan as well.
To a certain extent, the Aerio is Suzuki's replacement for the Esteem (which remains on sale through August, 2002). The Suzuki Esteem has been an acceptably nice small car, offered in sedan and wagon form, both handsome in a conventional way. But it has not been a runaway sales success, restricted by both a limited dealership network and the difficulty of getting noticed in a crowded marketplace. The Aerio is more likely to get noticed.
Model Lineup
Three models are available: Aerio S ($13,499); GS ($14,499); SX ($14,499).
The base Aerio S sedan comes well equipped with features including air conditioning, Clarion AM/FM/CD audio with an antenna integrated in the rear window, power windows and mirrors, tilt wheel, rear defroster, split folding rear seats, and fog lamps. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 4-speed automatic a $1,000 option. ABS is also optional, priced at $500.
The GS and SX are similarly equipped, both adding a long list of equipment to the Aerio S's roster. Every GS and SX comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, power locks with keyless remote entry, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, and a rear seat armrest, among other amenities. Both also have a handy storage tray under the passenger seat. The GS also comes with a rear wing with an integrated stoplight. Floor mats, at $75, are the only option available.

2005 Suzuki Forenza / Reno

When you're shopping in the $15,000 new-car market, chances are that head-turning style and high-performance aren't first on your priority list. No, more likely you're looking to get as much car as you possibly can for as few dollars as possible.
It is into this hotly contested, price- and feature-sensitive market that Suzuki enters with two new models this year. The Suzuki Forenza Wagon and Reno are new to Suzuki's Forenza family for the 2005 model year. Both are based on the Forenza sedan, which was introduced as an all-new model for 2004. The underpinnings of the three body styles are mechanically identical. The major difference among them is exterior styling and a few trim choices.
From the standpoint of stuff for the money, the Forenza family of cars does well. They are well equipped even at the base trim level, and retail for less than most of their competitors.
The Reno is the fun member of the family. Its job is to be Suzuki's pretty face, attracting buyers who might otherwise consider cars sitting on Scion showroom floors, or perhaps the sleek lines of the Mazda 3, to which it bears a slight resemblance. The Forenza Wagon's most compelling feature is just that: it's a wagon. Larger than the Chevy Aveo and Kia Rio, it costs significantly less than comparably sized wagons such as the Ford Focus ZXW or the Toyota Matrix. The Forenza sedan is designed to offer a strong value in a sea of value-priced compact sedans, no easy job. It does this by providing side-impact airbags as standard equipment; they're extra-cost options on the 2005 Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Other features that are optional on the big brand names are standard on the Forenza, including air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and a CD player.
Suzuki is able to keep prices low because, despite the Japanese nameplate, the cars are built in Korea by Daewoo, courtesy of General Motors, which owns a stake in both Daewoo and Suzuki. General Motors benefits by keeping its Daewoo plant active, and Suzuki gets a full line of cars to draw more people into its dealerships.
The cars resulting from this complex genealogy are not ground breaking; few cars in this segment ever are. Breaking ground costs money, after all, so breaking ground is a job usually done by more expensive vehicles. However, these cars are strong on features, have warranties, and are good values for the money, even if they are short on pizzazz.
Model Lineup
Suzuki Forenza and Reno models are available in three trim levels: S, LX and EX. All models come with four-wheel disc brakes and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Five-speed manual gearboxes are standard on S and LX models, four-speed automatics are optional ($800). Forenza sedan and Reno hatchback are the same price, while the Forenza wagon adds $500.
Reno S ($13,499), Forenza S ($13,499) and Forenza wagon S ($13,949) come standard with air conditioning, cloth upholstery, AM/FM/CD/cassette with six speakers, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power windows, power door locks, heated power mirrors, 60/40 split folding rear seats, intermittent wipers and other features. Also standard are details such as a trunk light, seatback pockets, and remote releases for the trunk and fuel filler door. The Reno's stereo also supports MP3 playback.
Forenza and Reno LX ($15,349) and the Forenza wagon LX ($15,849) add remote keyless entry, cruise control, fog lamps, a power sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Forenza and Reno EX ($16,949) and the wagon ($17,449) come with leather upholstery and the automatic.
Safety features include side-impact airbags as standard equipment along with the mandated dual front airbags. We recommend getting the optional anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution ($500), which are available for LX and EX models. Three-point seatbelts are provided for all positions and we strongly recommend wearing them because they are your first line of defense in any crash; the front seatbelts are equipped with pretensioners designed to reduce belt-related injuries in a crash and adjustable shoulder-height adjusters for better comfort. The LATCH system of lower anchors and top tethers for child seats comes standard along with rear-door child safety locks. Safety sells, and these Suzukis are long on it for this class.

2001 Suzuki Swift

Concerned about the price of fuel these days? Don't have a lot of money to spend on a new car? Consider the Suzuki Swift. With a base price of $9299, the Swift helps stretch a dollar both in terms of monthly payments, and in how much you shell out for fuel. It offers an alternative to a used car.
Suzuki's pint-size, two-door Swift hatchback (the only body style offered) starts at $9,299 for the GA model with a five-speed manual transmission; an automatic costs an extra $650. Even the top-of-the-line Swift GL, equipped with air conditioning, cassette player, and an optional three-speed automatic transmission comes home for only $10,949.
Model Lineup
Suzuki's Swift divides into two levels of trim: GA ($9,299) and GL ($10,299). The base Swift GA is your classic "stripper," and does not include air conditioning or a stereo, which come standard on the GL.
Each version uses the same modest 79-horsepower 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard. A three-speed automatic transmission is optional.

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

Nowadays there are many choices among small SUVs. Most owners have no desire to ever go off-road. No problem, the front-drive Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s of the world do just fine. Some occasionally want to wander onto dirt roads, nothing serious mind you. An automatic four-wheel-drive system works fine, and there's the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage for them.
Then there are those who really dig an SUV for what it was originally intended. They want to get down and dirty and go where low gear and a locked differential is a necessity, not a luxury. Their choices are limited to Jeeps and a few others.
The all-new 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has just expanded this latter category.
Unlike the previous Grand Vitara, this is no small toy-like off-roader. Finally befitting of its grand name, the 2006 Grand Vitara is a grownup, five-seat, V6-powered SUV with enough sophistication that it's just as much at home on the highway as it is way off the highway.
Model Lineup
Technically, the 2006 Grand Vitara comes in just one trim level, but several variants are available, featuring two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, automatic or manual transmissions, cloth or leather, and other features. All are well equipped.
The 2.7-liter V6 engine comes standard on all models. Also standard: automatic climate control with a micron air-filtration system, cruise control, digital clock with outside temperature and fuel consumption indicators, power door locks with a remote key, power mirrors and power windows. The standard sound system features an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA unit that is XM Satellite Radio-ready and features steering-wheel-mounted controls.
The base Grand Vitara 2WD ($18,999) uses rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. (All prices are manufactured suggested retail and do not include the destination charge.) A five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is optional ($1,000).
The base Grand Vitara 4WD model ($20,199) uses a full-time single-mode four-wheel-drive system.
A Premium Package ($900) includes alloy wheels, privacy glass and six-disc in-dash CD changer.
The XSport ($21,099) includes the Premium Package along with the five-speed automatic and a SmartPass keyless entry and start system. The XSport 4WD model ($22,499) features a full-time four-mode four-wheel-drive system.
The Luxury model ($22,999) adds leather seating surfaces, woodgrain trim, electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, a HomeLink wireless control system and some other minor upgrades. The 4WD Luxury model ($24,399) features the full-time four-mode system.
Textured fender flares are available as a dealer-installed accessory (about $400).
Safety features that come standard on all models include an Electronic Stability Program with traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. That's an impressive array of active safety features, which work together to reduce the chance of skidding and help drivers avoid accidents. Passive safety features include six airbags: advanced dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for torso protection for driver and front passenger, and front and rear side-curtain airbags for head protection for the four passengers in the outboard seats.

2007 Suzuki SX4 Review

The Suzuki SX4 is an all-new subcompact car that comes standard with all-wheel drive. Suzuki says SX4 stands for (S)port (X)-over for (4) seasons. We found these were all good reasons to like this car.
The SX4 is indeed reasonably sporty, when equipped with a manual transmission. It offers versatility and even looks like a stylish mini-SUV. We'd classify it as cute. Finally, it's good for all seasons as it comes standard with an effective all-wheel-drive system.
A number of all-new models brings excitement to the subcompact segment. The Suzuki SX4 competes directly with the new Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Chevrolet Aveo. Yet the SX4 comes with all-wheel drive and it looks, drives and feels different from these other cars.

Model Lineup
The SX4 comes in two trim levels, the SX4 ($14,999) and the SX4 Sport ($16,399). Each is available with a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic ($1,000).
Safety features include six airbags: front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags, all standard. Four-wheel ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and seatbelt pretensioners come standard.
Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels and black roof rails.
The SX4 Sport adds electronic stability control and traction control, auto temperature control, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, premium audio with six-disc CD changer and nine speakers including subwoofer, silver-color roof rails and SmartPass keyless entry and start system.

2008 Suzuki SX4 Review

The Suzuki SX4 was launched as an all-new hatchback for 2007. For 2008, a four-door sedan version called the SX4 Sport has joined the lineup. The SX4 hatchback, now called the SX4 Crossover, uses all-wheel drive, while the SX4 Sport has front-wheel drive. Both are motivated by a 143-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The SX4 Crossover offers cargo versatility and looks like a cute mini-SUV. It's good for all seasons as it comes standard with all-wheel drive for effective all-weather capability. The Crossover is a reasonably sporty hatchback when equipped with a manual transmission, but it's also available with an automatic.
The SX4 Sport is sportier yet, with sharper steering and more nimble handling. However, the ride may be too stiff for some drivers.
Both SX4 versions offer pleasant cabins with controls that are easy to use and interior materials appropriate for the price. The front seats are spacious.
The rear seat in the hatchback is roomy but the back seat in the sedan is cramped for tall riders. The sedan has a large trunk, but the back seat doesn't fold.
Both body styles are keenly priced, making them worthy candidates for shoppers looking for small cars that are more than just basic transportation.
The Crossover is the lowest-priced new car in America with all-wheel drive, making this hatchback an excellent choice for budget-minded buyers who drive in snowy areas. The SX4 Crossover's all-wheel-drive system is meant mostly for on-road use, but it does have a locking feature that sends 30 to 50 percent of the available power to the rear wheels, giving it some off-road capability and better traction in deeper snow.

2007 Suzuki XL7 Review

Suzuki forsakes its image as a small car manufacturer with the introduction of the XL7 crossover SUV. The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is all-new. Save for elimination of the hyphen the 2007 XL7 only shares its name with the old XL-7.The new XL7 is longer, wider and more powerful than the outgoing model. If its look seems faintly familiar that's because it's based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent models from GM, though it shares no sheetmetal with them. The XL7 is assembled in Canada alongside the Equinox and Torrent. The XL7's V6 engine is built in Japan, however.
The XL7 is a large mid-size SUV that offers even more space for three rows of seats with sufficient room for adults to sit in reasonable comfort in the third row. The name XL7 denotes that this Suzuki can be equipped to carry up to seven passengers. Fold all the passenger seats down, including the front one, and there's a generous amount of cargo space.

As with other crossover utilities, the XL7 offers a much smoother ride on the highway than truck-based SUVs. All-wheel drive is available, improving traction and stability in foul weather traction and on dirt or gravel roads. With one of the most powerful engines in its class, the XL7 offers decent acceleration performance yet it delivers reasonable fuel economy. It's aided by its smooth-shifting five-speed automatic.