| In January, 2004, the automotive industry | | | | a little "attitude" despite its lowly status |
| arrived at another unique plateau. For the | | | | an entry level wagon.The SX model has 15-inch |
| first time, the average price of a new car in | | | | alloy wheels as a standard feature, but the |
| the United States surpassed $30,000. | | | | larger wheels are an option for the standard |
| Ironically, it was also only a few years ago, | | | | 14-inch wheels on other models. The Aerio has |
| the same amount designated the minimum amount | | | | a spacious rear cargo area and a surprisingly |
| of a luxury car.It's also likely a safe | | | | roomy cabin. The car's wheelbase is only 99.6 |
| assumption that many car buyers still can't | | | | inches, among the shortest in the compact |
| afford a $30,000 vehicle. Suppose, for | | | | vehicle glass. Yet the rear cargo area |
| example, a new car buyer has only $15,000 to | | | | measures 63.7 cubic feet. That's third |
| spend. What's available? And what's a prudent | | | | largest to the Ford Focus Wagon (73.0) and |
| purchase in the price range?One good choice | | | | Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (64.2). All Aerois |
| is the 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX. The 4-door | | | | have split rear seatbacks. They lay flat when |
| economy wagon has a lot to offer. With every | | | | the headrests are removed and with seat |
| available option, the vehicle's price is only | | | | bottoms flipped forward.The Aerio also has |
| slightly more than half the national average | | | | above average steering and handling, a |
| of a new vehicle.My test drive for the week | | | | particularly tight turning circle, and its |
| was the four-cylinder, 155-horsepower Aerio | | | | instrumentation console features clearly |
| with a five-speed manual transmission. The | | | | marked gauges and easy-to-use controls. The |
| vehicle's standard features alone warrant a | | | | automatic climate controls are standard, an |
| long look for economy shoppers: air | | | | unexpected feature for the price range.The |
| conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, | | | | Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Toyota Matrix are |
| tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/6-CD changer and | | | | chief rivals and all have good legacies and |
| split folding rear seats. For the first time | | | | good value in resale markets.But the Aerio |
| in 2006, Antilock brakes (ABS) are standard | | | | should not be overlooked as an option. With |
| throughout the line.But the Aerio offers a | | | | Suzuki's 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty, the |
| lot more -- surprisingly quick acceleration | | | | little car with the unique name has more |
| to superior cargo room, substantial head room | | | | going for it than the half-car status its |
| to an estimated 30 mpg on the freeway. | | | | price indicates.2006 Suzuki Aerio, The Weekly |
| | | | DriverSafety features -- Dual front and side |
| The Aerio is available in three models and | | | | impact airbags.Fuel Mileage (mpg estimates) |
| with more than a dozen configurations, the | | | | -- 25 (city), 31 (highway).Warranty -- Bumper |
| base sedan ($13,999) to the SX with | | | | to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, |
| All-Wheel-Drive and a premium option package | | | | 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years |
| ($16,999).My vehicle featured the nice | | | | unlimited mileage; Road side assistance, 3 |
| exterior color of Tech Blue Metallic, | | | | years/36,000 miles.Price range -- |
| complemented by a black cloth interior with a | | | | $15,199.00James Raia ia s freelance writer, |
| silver-toned instrument console. The car | | | | author and publisher in Sacramento, Calif. |
| zipped around town, shifted smoothly and had | | | | |