Online Test Drive

The 2000 Suzuki Esteem
Base Retail Price: $12,399 - $15,699

Two Stars

The biggest problem with the Suzuki Esteem is it doesn�t live up to it�s name. You won't feel much esteem driving this vehicle. In an era where small cars are becoming more exciting (the Ford Focus, and Chrysler PT Cruiser come to mind), the Esteem is pretty bland, and not much of a bargain.

The vehicle I test drove had a sticker in the mid-teens, and was really just basic transportation. Not bad if you�re paying ten thousand dollars for an entry level economy car. But, when you start going into the mid teens, you expect more.

The Suzuki Esteem looks so much like the Chevy Cavalier inside that I had to check and see if there was any relationship. There isn�t. But, like the Cavalier, the Esteem suffers from increased expectations. I was shocked to find out this vehicle was introduced only four years ago, and completely redesigned for 1999. It looks like a 1980�s small car.

The Esteem is a big disappointment when you consider what Suzuki has done with Grand Vitara, it�s small SUV. If they could do the same thing with a small car, they would have a real winner on their hands.

Now, I understand from researching this piece that the Esteem wagon is quite nice, and a good bargain. However, I drove the sedan, and it�s just not up to the competition.

On the outside, there�s nothing to particularly distinguish the Suzuki Esteem, either for good or bad. Inside, it�s pretty bland and basic. The vehicle says �Econobox.�

The basic engine is a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder model...upgrade to the 1.8 liter model, and you get 122 horsepower. However, the vehicle isn�t very peppy, even with the standard 5-speed manual transmission.

You�re also hurt when you try to trade in your Esteem. Suzuki�s name recognition problems means that it�s vehicles don�t hold their value as well as some of the competition.

Before I sound like I�m totally trashing the Esteem, I want to repeat one thing. There�s nothing really wrong with it. But, when that�s the best you can say about a vehicle in today�s competitive marketplace, it�s the kiss of death.

Lets give the Suzuki Esteem two stars on our one to five scale.