2001SuzukiEsteemSuzuki Esteem2001 Suzuki Esteem GLX 1.8 WagonWagonWagonFWDKosai, JapanIn an effort to ply prospective Esteem buyers, Suzuki has equipped every model with an in-dash CD player. Stereo head units also get larger controls. Elsewhere, you will find gentle cosmetic changes: The front grille has been restyled, the seats are wrapped in a new fabric and floor mats are standard. Sky Blue Metallic is no longer available as an exterior color.Strong 1.8-liter engine, sporty wheels with performance-oriented tires, attractive - if not distinctive - exterior design.Engine gets noisy at high revs, so-so suspension, no cruise control or ABS with manual transmission, doesn't offer the most appealing value package in this segment.There is nothing really objectionable about the Esteem sedan and wagon, but the economy car segment is not what it used to be - at least not since a Focus and a fresh batch of Sentras, Proteges and Elantras arrived. Now, it seems that customers are looking for value (!), socially acceptable aesthetics and a bit of driving amusement. The Esteem has been around since 1995, and it has never been able to deliver all three, though advertising (that ideally, would get people into the dealerships) has not been especially heavy-handed, either. Slowly, Suzuki has enhanced the Esteem, but we're not sure that the company is moving expediently enough to rescue the car from the cellar of the segment in sales. One of these improvements came last year when Suzuki made the 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine standard on all models. This engine makes 122 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 117 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. These numbers are competitive for this class, but we've observed more engine roar in the Esteem from 4,000 to 6,800 rpm than we have in its peers. The noise isn't obnoxious - there is simply more of it. We've found ride quality acceptable on highways and city streets, at least until the Esteem encounters a pothole or an expansion joint. We suspect that its inability to soak these up has to do with its low-tech suspension setup - MacPherson struts at each corner and a single antiroll bar in the front. Wagons get a second antiroll bar in the rear. You can buy a sedan or a wagon in one of three trim levels. Base-level GL cars are outfitted with air conditioning, power steering, rear window defogger, fold-down rear seat, breakaway mirrors - and for 2001, floor mats and an in-dash CD player. The addition of this audio essential could help move more Esteems off the lot - among its peers, only the Focus offers this nicety in base models. In comparison, Mazda offers only stereo pre-wiring in the Protege DX. The only option for base models is an automatic transmission. GLX trim offers the most desirable content package: besides the GL bits, you get upgraded upholstery; remote keyless entry; power windows, mirrors and locks; split-folding rear seat and cool alloy wheels. You can option the sedan with a sport package (rear spoiler, fog lights, chrome-tipped exhausts and blue or silver body color). Now, if only Suzuki would revise its option packages, or allow buyers to purchase certain features a la carte. You see, you have to splurge on top-line GLX+ trim to get "extras" like ABS and cruise control. Or perhaps you want all the goodies of GLX+ trim, except the mandatory automatic transmission. Given this requirement, a bigger engine should be part of the package as well. Despite this rather serious packaging flaw, you can build yourself a rather stunning small wagon if you opt for the two-tone paint (available on GLX+ wagons) - silver under-cladding with a Deep Space Blue or Polar White upper body. GLX+ models also have cassette players along with the in-dash CD. Esteem interiors are user-friendly and solidly constructed, but they don't make you forget how little you paid. Occupants will find the expected amount of plastic and seats that are reasonably comfortable but lack height adjustment and adequate seatback tilt. Nor does the steering wheel have a tilt or telescope adjustment. The Esteem's exterior styling might not gouge the sensibilities (in the way that the Focus does), but the mild-mannered may find it pleasant. Suzuki has retouched the grille slightly for 2001 - the additional horizontal slats give the hood a slightly flatter appearance, which we like. GLX and GLX+ models come with trendy 15-inch wheels, which have 195/55VR15 Yokohama tires wrapped around them. The tires are an unexpected treat in the economy car class, because they are large for the size and weight of the vehicle and they are biased toward performance rather than fuel economy. We've observed the payoff in grip when pushing this car around corners. Our chief concern about the Suzuki Esteem is the lack of value - pricing is high, the trim packaging makes it difficult to tailor a car to your needs and the warranty is weak. Still, the Esteem is an attractive car with no serious faults, so if you negotiate an extra nice deal on one, you might enjoy it. We encourage you to compare it with similarly equipped peers, though, before you buy. Daewoo NubiraFord FocusSaturn S-SeriesSubaru Impreza336,000336,000Not AvailableNot Available3UnlimitedNANANA41.8 litersInline122 hp @ 6300 rpm117 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm172.2 in.66.5 in.55.9 in.2381 lbs.97.6 in.38.8 in.38 in.51.8 in.52.1 in.50.8 in.48.2 in.42.3 in.34.1 in.24 cu.ft.Not AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested12.7 gal.28 mpg / 35 mpg26 mpg / 33 mpg356 mi. / 445 mi.330 mi. / 419 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$13,919$14,4997.35%$480N/A3% of the Base MSRPGL SEDAN (5M): 1.8L I4 DOHC MPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 390 amp battery; engine oil cooler; 70 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.79 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent strut suspension with rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 12.7 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; black bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 14" x 5.5" steel wheels; P185/60SR14 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan, single CD player, 4 speakers, manual retractable antenna; child safety rear door locks, remote hatch/trunk release, remote fuel release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest;instrumentation display includes water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; full folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front cupholder, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
GL WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of GL SEDAN (4A) equipment): 3.72 axle ratio; roof rack; rear window wiper, cargo cover, cargo tie downs and concealed cargo storage.
GLX SEDAN/ WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of GL SEDAN/ WAGON (5M) equipment): Front and rear mud flaps, side impact bars; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 5.5" silver alloy wheels; P195/55SR15 BSW A/S tires; power door locks, remote keyless entry; instrumentation display includes tachometer; power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; interior lights include illuminated entry; passenger's side vanity mirror; 2 seat back storage pockets; carpeted cargo floor and cargo light.
GLX+ SEDAN/ WAGON (4A) (in addition to or instead of GLX SEDAN/ WAGON (5M) equipment): 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 3.85 axle ratio; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes and cruise control.