A sedan equipped with an automatic transmission is the only Forenza made available for testing. Good progress from a stop fades to modest acceleration as speed rises. The 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. The test EX averaged 17.8 mpg in mostly city driving. Suzuki recommends regular-grade fuel. The ride is somewhat stiff and bouncy, and bigger bumps jostle occupants, putting Forenza below the best in this class for comfort. Steering is light and responsive, but there's noticeable body lean even at modest cornering speeds. Four-wheel disc brakes provide fine pedal feel, and ABS is available on all models. The engine roars under acceleration and turns buzzy at higher speeds. There's some pounding over bumps, and highway speeds induce a fair amount of wind noise. Audio and climate controls are clear and easy to reach and use, though they're mounted just a bit low. Materials impress for the price. There's plenty of front head and leg room, even for taller folks, and the standard tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat allow most people to find a comfortable driving position. Visibility is better than average for a sedan. In back, there's adequate head, leg, and toe room for adults as long as the front seats aren't more than halfway back. Entry/exit is good for a compact. The wide trunklid has a low liftover, but trunk capacity is slightly below average for the class.

Value for the Money
Forenza comes with a host of standard features and offers better interior space than most compacts. It falls behind competitors in performance and refinement, but prices should be lower than those of most rivals on the used-car market, and Suzuki's transferable warranty is a plus.