Among the 86 owners who provided feedback on the 2002 Suzuki Esteem for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 90%
recommending the vehicle.
As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and value to be its
strongest features and styling to be its weakest.
46 out of 86 of owners (53%
of them) rank the 2002 Esteem five out of five stars.
Overall, consumers seem aligned in their opinions of the 2002 Suzuki Esteem.
Is it the right vehicle for for you? Check out Kelley Blue Book's consumer reviews and see for yourself.
This little wagon is wonderful, faithful,relibale, dependable. It's too bad that Suzuki will no longer be making cars as of 2014. I would trade my car in on a newer modle if they did. This car has given me no problems. I bought it in 2002 as used from a dealer. Had 50,000 miles on it. Ran great, a/c worked well (I live in a very hot county during the summer in northern CA. I travel a lot in our state and this car has never give me trouble. I have trune-ups once a year, and keep everything up to standard. Needs paint, also should have a "after marken bumper" (rear) to be replaced. The inside is not beaten up but drivers seat is faded as it sits outside in the weather. The lid to the jocky-box has been broken, but stays in place. Still have original floor mats, as I didn't want to use them, but bought others to replace them and keept the factory ones in storage. There is a worn spot where the drivers heel area and has gone through the inline carpeting. Can't complain, she runs real well.
VS
Critical Review
"Got what I paid for"
Easy going little japanese car, low on gaz and peppy (manual 1.6l)
Very good handling, always willing to start even in Canadian weather. At 100000mi still original exhaust, alternator and disks. Brake pads lasted 50000mi.
Expensive parts and scarce.
Changed computer twice, and wheel bearing, lots of rattle and road noise.
Start to take oil at 90000mi.
If you are not not the Hummer tpye, this car is for you. ;-)
Almost dying after 7 years, but the body is in very good condition.
2002 Esteem Reviews
In our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive assessment of the vehicle possible, KBB.com widens the scope of our reviews to include all pertinent model years.
ex. Dependable
Showing 8 of 86 reviews.
Saul
5/27/2022
Was my best car until it wasn't
Pros
Good for laywering
Cons
breaking bad,Have to lie about car to Lalo :(
Enjoyed using it to get from the courthouse to home but unfortunately it was shot at, and pushed off a cliff by some kids in the desert. Had to carry my bags all the way home :(
Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
1.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?00
Saul Goodman
5/12/2022
Got me through my early years as a lawyer
Pros
Great cupholders
Cons
Basically a piece of junk, but suited my needs
Would take a few times to get the motor started, but was a reliable vehicle. Got a cracked windshield when a skateboarder ran in front of the vehicle. Got me through several years of my early times as a lawyer in New Mexico before I started getting more clients and got a better car. Good cheap reliable vehicle that had a decent size cupholders.
Value
5.0
Performance
1.0
Quality
1.0
Comfort
3.0
Reliability
4.0
Styling
1.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?20
Slbno1
3/4/2019
This is an awesome little car
Pros
Drives easy, gas saver
Cons
None
Great gas saver, drives great. I love, love, love the manual shift. Very few problems with the car. The husband and I bought this little gem, used, in 2013. We have had it, driving it nonstop..meaning our main vehicle..our daughter has been through 2 brand new vehicles, and is now on her 3rd, since we have had this one. This car is made very well.
Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Reliability
4.0
Styling
4.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?20
Cheng
3/3/2016
It is a nice and liable car.
Great for commute and liable, save gas...!
Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?20
Sbitty
1/14/2016
Tough little car
Pros
Reliable, fuel economy
Cons
Door handles broke
This was one of the first cars I ever had. We bought it used with around 60000 miles, and it had it personally for 11 years and to 190000 miles. I drove that car everywhere and had very minimal problems. The door handles liked to break a lot, and towards the end was a pretty bumpy ride, but always reliable. If I was in the market for a super value, I'd look for another, probably the wagon the second time around.
Value
4.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
4.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?61
Nicole
5/18/2015
Best car ever
Pros
reliable, great gas mileage
Cons
plasticky interior
Love, love, love my car - bought it new in 1999 and am still driving it after 16 years. Dented in two spots, windows are starting to fail, two of the handles on the doors are broken and paint is faded and chipped....but I have a hard time letting go. The gas mileage on this little manual transmission car is still almost 40m/gl, it starts up immediately in hot weather or icecold temperatures, and has never let me down.
If I could buy this car again, I'd do so!
Value
5.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
4.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?76
George
4/14/2015
I'd buy it again!
If I could go back 14 years I'd buy this car all over again. It has served us very well all these years with absolutely no major problems. It has never left us stranded and I only just changed the original battery two years ago (2013) and the serpentine belt in 2014. This car has gotten us back and forth to the east coast to see family many times and took me to North Dakota and back last Winter. The mileage is still good after all these years as well. It's a little over 500 miles back to family in New York and I only fill up once. Am going to try and keep it forever.
Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?83
Itielady
6/25/2013
Outstanding little wagon!
Pros
Good on gas. Comfortable for long drives.
Cons
Needs paint. Replacement of rear bumper.
This little wagon is wonderful, faithful,relibale, dependable. It's too bad that Suzuki will no longer be making cars as of 2014. I would trade my car in on a newer modle if they did. This car has given me no problems. I bought it in 2002 as used from a dealer. Had 50,000 miles on it. Ran great, a/c worked well (I live in a very hot county during the summer in northern CA. I travel a lot in our state and this car has never give me trouble. I have trune-ups once a year, and keep everything up to standard. Needs paint, also should have a "after marken bumper" (rear) to be replaced. The inside is not beaten up but drivers seat is faded as it sits outside in the weather. The lid to the jocky-box has been broken, but stays in place. Still have original floor mats, as I didn't want to use them, but bought others to replace them and keept the factory ones in storage. There is a worn spot where the drivers heel area and has gone through the inline carpeting. Can't complain, she runs real well.
Value
4.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
3.0
Comfort
2.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
3.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?126
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