2004 Suzuki Forenza Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Suzuki adds a South Korean-built subcompact sedan to supplement its Japanese-built Aerio models for 2004. Forenza comes in S, LX, and top-line EX models. All have a 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine and 4-wheel disc brakes. Automatic transmission is standard for the EX, optional for S and LX in place of manual. ABS is available for all, but side airbags are not offered. Standard on all Forenzas are air conditioning, heated power mirrors, power windows and locks, tilt steering wheel, CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and 15-inch wheels. The LX adds alloy wheels and cruise control, keyless entry, power sunroof, and fog lights. EX has leather upholstery instead of cloth. Suzuki markets Forenza as a budget alternative to the top-selling Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla. Like other Suzukis, Forenza carries a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes roadside assistance, and transferable 7/70,000 powertrain coverage with provision for a free loaner car. Forenza was designed by the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd., and is assembled by GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies, which was formed by General Motors after it bought parts of Daewoo. GM also owns a stake in Suzuki.

News

Forenza's future depends partly on the fate of the South Korean company that originated it, GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies. Of course, GMDAT gets a boost from selling cars to Suzuki for sale in North America under the Suzuki label, but the point is that the Japanese company has only so much say-so in the nature and timing of future changes. For now, all anyone can say for sure is that the just-arrived Forenza shouldn't make any major news for the next couple of years.

2004 Suzuki Forenza Road Test

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

EX, auto.	Class Average
3	4

Automatic-transmission Forenza only model made available for testing. Good progress from a stop fades to modest acceleration as speed rises. Transmission downshifts very quickly for more power, but requires a hard shove on the throttle and results in more noise than progress at higher speeds.

Fuel Economy

EX, auto.	Class Average
5	6.6

Test EX with automatic transmission averaged 17.8 mpg in mostly city driving. Suzuki recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

EX, auto.	Class Average
3	4.4

Stiff and bouncy; bigger bumps jostle occupants. Below par for subcompact class.

Steering/Handling/Braking

EX, auto.	Class Average
3	5.3

Light, responsive steering, but noticeable body lean even at modest cornering speeds. 4-wheel disc brakes provide fine pedal feel, and ABS is available on all models.

Quietness

EX, auto.	Class Average
3	4

Engine roars under acceleration, turns buzzy at higher speeds. Noticeable pounding over bumps. Wind noise high at freeway speeds.

Controls

EX, auto.	Class Average
6	5.6

Audio, climate controls clear and easy to reach and use, though mounted just a bit low. Materials impress for the price.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

EX, auto.	Class Average
6	5.1

Plenty of head and leg room, even for taller folks. Standard tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat appreciated. Visibility better than average for sedans.

Room/Comfort (rear)

EX, auto.	Class Average
4	3.9

Adequate head, leg, and toe room for adults as long as front seats aren't more than halfway back. Entry/exit good for a subcompact.

Cargo Room

EX, auto.	Class Average
2	3.9

Wide trunklid, low liftover, capacity slightly below average for the class.

Value within Class

EX, auto.	Class Average
4	5.6

Forenza comes with a host of standard features for an attractive price, and offers better interior space than most subcompacts. But it falls behind competitors in performance and refinement, and Suzuki resale values don't match those of more-established Japanese makes.

Total Score

EX, auto.	Class Average
39	48.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		64

2004 Suzuki Forenza Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 11/07/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

S 4-door sedan, manual	$12,499	$11,749	$500

S 4-door sedan, automatic	$13,299	$12,501	$500

LX 4-door sedan, manual	$14,399	$13,535	$500

LX 4-door sedan, automatic	$15,199	$14,287	$500

EX 4-door sedan, automatic	$15,999	$15,039	$500

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/driver-side height and lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, rear defogger, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

195/55R15 tires, wheel covers.

LX adds to S:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, remote keyless entry, power sunroof.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, alloy wheels.

EX adds to LX:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery.

Optional Equipment

Safety	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Antilock brakes
EX, LX, S	$500	$470

2004 Suzuki Forenza Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Suzuki Forenza 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	102.4

Overall Length, in.	177.2

Overall Width, in.	67.9

Overall Height, in.	56.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	2701

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.0

Rear Head Room, in.	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /122

Horsepower @ rpm.	126 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	131 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	24/31

4-speed automatic	22/30

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Suzuki Forenza 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	7/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	3/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Suzuki Forenza Photos

Also in the 2004 Suzuki Forenza Review:

Suzuki Forenza

Suzuki Forenza Road Test

Suzuki Forenza Prices & Equipment

Suzuki Forenza Specs & Safety

Suzuki Forenza Photos

Suzuki Forenza Full Review

All Suzuki Forenzas

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