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2007 Suzuki Forenza Full Review
Date Published: 3/26/08
Also in the 2007 Suzuki Forenza Review:
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2.
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4.
2007 Suzuki Forenza Review
Forenza is available in sedan and wagon body styles. Suzuki offers a 4-dr hatchback version of this compact car as the Reno. Both Forenza body styles come in base, Convenience, and Popular trim. All have a 126-hp 4-cyl engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, ABS is optional. Forenza's come with front side airbags, but do not offer curtain side airbags. Air conditioning, power windows and locks, and heated power mirrors are standard. Convenience models include remote entry and cruise control. Populars have a sunroof.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 100 inches or longer.
Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, and Mazda 5.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Pontiac G5.
Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, and Mazda 5.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Pontiac G5.
News
Sources expect a freshened Forenza for 2008 with a few styling changes and perhaps a new feature or two. We should be learning more soon, so keep checking back.
Meantime, Suzuki says its subcompact Swift hatchback will return to the U.S. in 2010, highlighted by a hybrid version. The Swift was last sold here in 2002, but has since been redone. The coming model will be a next-generation design. A sedan version is the rumored basis for the hybrid.
Meantime, Suzuki says its subcompact Swift hatchback will return to the U.S. in 2010, highlighted by a hybrid version. The Swift was last sold here in 2002, but has since been redone. The coming model will be a next-generation design. A sedan version is the rumored basis for the hybrid.
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2007 Suzuki Forenza Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Instruments/controls | Acceleration (automatic transmission) |
| Cargo room (wagon) | Ride/handling |
| Noise | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
With automatic transmission, 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. Acceleration livelier with manual transmission, though passing power is still lacking.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4.6 |
With automatic transmission, 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. Acceleration livelier with manual transmission, though passing power is still lacking.
Fuel Economy
Not outstanding for small, 4-cyl cars. Test sedans averaged 17.8 mpg with manual transmission, 29.5 in mostly highway driving. Automatic-transmission models averaged just 17.8 mpg in mostly city driving.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.5 |
Not outstanding for small, 4-cyl cars. Test sedans averaged 17.8 mpg with manual transmission, 29.5 in mostly highway driving. Automatic-transmission models averaged just 17.8 mpg in mostly city driving.
Ride Quality
Generally comfortable on broken surfaces, especially for the compact class, though bigger bumps jostle occupants. Less settled on rough roads than segment-leading Honda Civic, Volkswagen Rabbit.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.3 |
Generally comfortable on broken surfaces, especially for the compact class, though bigger bumps jostle occupants. Less settled on rough roads than segment-leading Honda Civic, Volkswagen Rabbit.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Quick, responsive steering, but noticeable body lean even at modest cornering speeds. Standard four-wheel disc brakes a nice plus in this price range, provide fine pedal feel.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.8 |
Quick, responsive steering, but noticeable body lean even at modest cornering speeds. Standard four-wheel disc brakes a nice plus in this price range, provide fine pedal feel.
Quietness
Engine roars intrusively during acceleration, turns buzzy at higher speeds. Some suspension pounding over bumps, substantial wind rush at freeway speeds.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.4 |
Engine roars intrusively during acceleration, turns buzzy at higher speeds. Some suspension pounding over bumps, substantial wind rush at freeway speeds.
Controls
Clear gauges nicely lit. Audio, climate controls simple to use and understand, though mounted just a bit low. Switchgear has quality feel. Materials impress for the price.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.9 |
Clear gauges nicely lit. Audio, climate controls simple to use and understand, though mounted just a bit low. Switchgear has quality feel. Materials impress for the price.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Plenty of head and leg room, even for taller folks. Standard tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat appreciated. Visibility better than average in all body styles, though some testers say rear headrests interfere with over-the-shoulder view.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
Plenty of head and leg room, even for taller folks. Standard tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat appreciated. Visibility better than average in all body styles, though some testers say rear headrests interfere with over-the-shoulder view.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Adequate head, leg, and toe room for adults as long as front seats aren't more than halfway back. Entry/exit good for a compact.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Adequate head, leg, and toe room for adults as long as front seats aren't more than halfway back. Entry/exit good for a compact.
Cargo Room
Sedan has wide trunklid, low liftover, capacity slightly below average for the class. Wagon has usefully larger cargo holds and generous liftgate opening.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 7 | 4.8 |
Sedan has wide trunklid, low liftover, capacity slightly below average for the class. Wagon has usefully larger cargo holds and generous liftgate opening.
Value within Class
Forenza falls behind most class rivals in refinement and fuel economy, and, with automatic transmission, in acceleration. Suzuki resale values don't yet match those of more-established Japanese makes, either. But Forenzas have an impressive list of standard features for attractive prices, and they're roomier than most compact-sedan rivals.
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Forenza falls behind most class rivals in refinement and fuel economy, and, with automatic transmission, in acceleration. Suzuki resale values don't yet match those of more-established Japanese makes, either. But Forenzas have an impressive list of standard features for attractive prices, and they're roomier than most compact-sedan rivals.
Total Score
| Base sdn, man. | Conven. sdn, auto. | Conven. wgn, auto. | Class Average |
| 45 | 44 | 50 | 52.9 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 42 | |
| Average Score | 52 | |
| High Score | 60 |
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2007 Suzuki Forenza Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 09/29/2006
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| Base 4-door sedan, manual | $13,999 | $13,439 | $595 |
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| Base 4-door sedan, automatic | $14,999 | $14,399 | $595 |
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| Base 4-door wagon, manual | $14,699 | $14,111 | $595 |
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| Base 4-door wagon, automatic | $15,699 | $15,071 | $595 |
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| Convenience 4-door sedan, manual | $14,349 | $13,775 | $595 |
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| Convenience 4-door sedan, automatic | $15,349 | $14,735 | $595 |
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| Convenience 4-door wagon, manual | $15,049 | $14,447 | $595 |
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| Convenience 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,049 | $15,407 | $595 |
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| Popular 4-door sedan, manual | $14,949 | $14,351 | $595 |
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| Popular 4-door sedan, automatic | $15,949 | $15,311 | $595 |
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| Popular 4-door wagon, manual | $15,649 | $15,023 | $595 |
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| Popular 4-door wagon, automatic | $16,649 | $15,983 | $595 |
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
Base
Powertrain
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunklid release, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, 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, intermittent wipers, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (wagon), floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rails (wagon), 195/55R15 tires, wheel covers.
Convenience adds to Base:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control, remote keyless entry.
Popular adds to Convenience:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Steering wheel radio controls, power sunroof.
Optional Equipment
Safety |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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Antilock brakes
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Base, Convenience, Popular
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$500
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$480
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2007 Suzuki Forenza Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Suzuki Forenza 4-door sedan | Suzuki Forenza 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 102.4 | 102.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 177.2 | 179.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.9 | 67.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.9 | 59.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2701 | 2849 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.4 | 61.8 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | 14.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | 39.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.0 | 42.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | 39.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.7 | 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 |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 5-speed manual | 23/30 |
| 4-speed automatic | 22/31 |
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 | Suzuki Forenza 4-door wagon |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 | 4 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 | 4 |
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
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Tester's Comments
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Major Options: Remote Keyless Entry, Cruise Control Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 21.68 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Chuck Giametta Usefully roomy and cleanly styled, the Forenza wagon bests the Forenza sedan and Reno hatchaback as the body style of choice in this lineup. Though it isn't fast, and fuel economy falls short of best in class, this small car drives pleasantly enough to make life in the slow lane quite tollerable. It's smartly priced too, even nicely equipped with the Convenience package, or for just a few bucks more, the Popular package. The Suzuki Forenza wagon is a hidden gem. Damon Bell Forenza boasts some attractive sticker prices and decent levels of standard equipment, but I am put off by its lack of curtain side airbags, lackluster power, and seriously subpar mpg numbers. I averaged 16.31 in my city commute, which trails virtually all of Forenza's competition. Lynne Richman A smaller, better proportioned version of the original station wagon without sacreficing passenger and cargo room. Suzuki interiors feel light and spacious regardless of the size of the car. Tom Appel Forenza suffers most from anonymity. This likable wagon offers a nice balance of price, utility, and quality. The engine drones, and produces little in the way of power, but that's about the worst thing I can say about this car. |
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Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2007 Suzuki Forenza Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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