Motorweek 2004 Subcompact Car Comparison Test

[@patt693]

The Toyota would be the only one I'd pick

[@user-iz3gv5vo6b]

Best engine, with slightly smaller size yet slightly higher HP and Torque. Best fuel economy. Fastest accelerating. Highest quality and resale value. Pretty much the best choice in any category.

[@PamelaBellOfficial]

Back when they made vehicles that weren't soda cans. Their metal is so thin now the paint can barely cling to it.

[@a.person7825]

Daewoo=leaking gaskets

[@993hubercik]

GM engines.

[@frankmontez6853]

I had a 99 Daewoo Leganza and it was a fantastic car with great handling and braking very solid reliability. I remember driving in heavy rain and I had total confidence. It came with ABS and that was a premium feature. My 06 Nissan Sentra didn’t and had horrible braking . Unfortunately I totaled my Daewoo😢

[@damilolaakanni]

That Suzuki is clearly a compact. It's about the size of a contemporary Corolla or Elantra. I don't know why it's in this comparison.

[@tientrinh943]

Agree

[@mr.c493]

The Toyota echo, if you open the hood you can hear yourself saying “where’s the engine, engine, engine” lol

[@davidmullineaux6157]

Echo only decent car here.

[@michaelhoard9548]

And the only one I still see on the roads is the Toyota

[@PamelaBellOfficial]

I've not saw a toyota echo on the road in at least 15 years

[@Humblemango610]

I see a handful and a half of Aveos around where I live

[@yudhabagaskara98]

The forenza was sold as chevrolet optra in my country and it was marketed as compact instead of subcompact

[@sofiaplasencia7835]

Because it is, motorweek should choose the Aerio for this comparison.

[@Poopsticle_256]

@@sofiaplasencia7835Seriously, this isn’t even a real Suzuki, it’s a Daewoo underneath, like the Chevy Aveo that they also included. And Suzuki did also sell the hatchback version of the Forenza, the Reno, that would have at least been close to being a subcompact. The Forenza is like the size of a Malibu, why they chose it over the Aerio is just beyond me.

[@sofiaplasencia7835]

@@Poopsticle_256 Also badged like the Chevrolet Optra worldwide, and the succesor of the Classic Cavalier. But this car is not a 100% Daewoo because it was designed by an italian man, and engineered by Holden. So, in fact, just like this: 45% Daewoo / 45% Holden / 10% Chevrolet. Lacetti was sold by Suzuki in USA because of the Chevy Cobalt that didn't reach more far from North America (México not included). Fun fact, the Daewoo Kalos (Chevy Aveo) was sold as Suzuki Swift and Pontiac Wave in Canada, check it out! But in the case of Lacetti, early it was sold as Optra badge, and then succeed by Cobalt in 2008.

[@hduncan2587]

If you listen to the Toyota Echo launch, the clutch is shot. Listen to it slipping going into second. Read any comparison reviews at any other magazine, and the Echo was well ahead of any of these cars for 0-60 and 1/4-- closer to 8.4 seconds (both by Motor Trend and Autoweek, with Car & Driver managing 8.5). The Accent was a pretty strong number-- one of the lowest I've seen for the manuals of that generation, and indeed the tiny tires were a huge detractor. When the Echo first came out, the Accent was still only making 95hp to the Echoes 108... and weighed several hundred pounds more while being much smaller inside. Needless to say I'm biased: my dad bought a manual coupe in 2000, I took over in 2006 (then sporting 320,527 miles), and the body now has 603,000 miles, and we have a 2003 automatic coupe as well (and my dad ended up taking in a 2001 manual sedan during covid, he missed the car so much). The aforementioned Scion brethren in the video are a great way to add life to Echo driving dynamics. Front control arms of the Scions are identical to the MR2 Spyder, and dimensionally the same as the Echo: they sported up the bushings, so there's piece number one. The rear torsion beams on the Scions have an additional brace (a "loaded rear beam") in it, to reduce body roll and help with stability, so that's another bolt on affair. Then the Scion xA front seats are superior for lumbar and lateral support, basically bolt-in. There are other, lesser things, like the Scions had a larger intake snorkel, and small braces atop the strut towers (minor as that seems, even the Kona N did that sort of upgrade-- and that's from the engineering background of former BMW M's Albert Biermann). Likely not the same extent, but it's there. And of course, get more robust rolling stock.

[@TheGbeecher]

My youngest son bought a 2011 hyundai accent 4 door automatic in June '17...I drove it to and from work occasionally for about a year and a half...comfortable ride, good handling, great mileage, relatively quiet and decent power...also very reliable

[@sofiaplasencia7835]

Tris comparison is bad because Suzuki Forenza (Daewoo Lacetti) is a compact, not subcompact as the Chevy Aveo (Daewoo Kalos), here supossed to be the Suzuki Aerio.

[@timothyhh]

Sounds like at least in North America Suzuki was pricing the Forenza below the Aerio so the Forenza would compete against the Accent/Echo class.

[@tientrinh943]

Same I agree. Why would they even think that

[@chriscastillo4634]

My brother had a 2007 Forenza. Loved the car with its odd engine/transmission sounds. It was a great car it has terrible resale value tho, when the ac went out it cost more than what the car is worth.

[@alexchrisccc]

Its was a 2008 😂😂 I did love that car though, the stock radio and 6 speakers were amazingly good!

[@tientrinh943]

It is actually roomy

[@wny9521]

Thats true the Echo was the only good one there.

[@shannonmcatee9610]

Toyotas the only one even close to ok. Only one you'll ever see still going

[@ShayneJohnson]

Still see a ton of those old Hyundai Accents driving around. More even than the Echo. I haven't seen an Aveo or Forenza in many years.

[@ohguy1991]

26 MPG from the Suzuki??? Our loaded AWD Ford Escape Titanium gets 27 MPG average!

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

Suzuki makes nice cars, but needs a Toyota echo drivetrain.

[@Tuppoo94]

Cars for people who hate cars and driving.

[@googolplex2789]

Honestly the Aveo is kinda fun in a weird way. Has to be the 5 speed though and the hatchback is quite handsome IMO. For $10,000 it wasn’t a terrible value but it had the quality of a dirt cheap car so you’d better be on top of maintenance and repairs if it were to last.

[@gtemnykh]

@@googolplex2789grew up with a friend whose family bought a 5spd Echo new. They’re fun little cars to bomb around in as well in a “cheap slow small econobox” way. My dad had an Aveo hatchback Avis rental back in the day and I likewise thought it was fun in that same way, even though it was an automatic.

[@liddlebopeep]

Today, those same people drive crossovers and SUV's

[@matthewbowen5841]

These Accents and Echoes are still around 20 years later. What was Toyota thinking with that hideous off road body kit? The Daewoo cars were total junk. The Forenza/Reno and Aveo drove terribly, were uncomfortable, poorly made, expensive to repair, and generally bad cars. Not sure why John looks Mulato for this test.

[@gsxellence]

They still make Daewoo and people beat them up here in the USA

[@rickymac54321]

@@gsxellence Daewoo has been GM Korea for quite a while now.

[@jay.fromthebay]

All garbage cars. The echo was no question the most reliable but the Accent overall was actually the best car, decent interior, good nvh, and well appointed. My best bud had one and the trans went out at 176k. Engine was perfect. Put another trans in and it's still running around somewhere.

[@m00nkinftw]

I live in Europe and this gen of Accent is one I still I see on the road here and there

[@tananachen5169]

It’s funny watching these videos today and finding out half these cars are pure sh*t!

[@liddlebopeep]

None of these cars are available for 2023.

[@sleeksilver]

How in the world did the Chevy Aveo win their choice? These things were garbage even when new, and were heinously unreliable with timing belts that failed prior to their specified change interval. Daewoo pumped out nothing but garbage and ruined Suzuki's reputation in the US.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

I count six all look really good condition in 2024 in the rust belt US. saw so many when they were new. Haven't seen an Echo in years.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

should be specific. six in the city where I live. Pick up my grandson every day at the bus stop and there is a lady there every day to pick up her daughter from the bus and she drives a blue 4 door Aveo and it is in fantastic condition. This in 2024.

[@sleeksilver]

@@scrambler69-xk3kv I haven't seen a first gen Aveo in ages. I see Echos from time to time in far Northern Virginia.