why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2007 Suzuki Forenza

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 3 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2008 Suzuki Forenza

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2007 Suzuki Forenza Review

By KBB.com Editors

The compact Suzuki Forenza offers a high level of standard equipment, a low base price and a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Though not as refined or fuel-efficient as the more expensive models from Honda and Nissan, the Forenza is certainly capable of taking on challengers from Hyundai and Kia. With an exterior penned by the famed Pininfarina Design Studio, the Forenza holds a certain European flair considered attractive by many buyers. Although quality and reliability reports appear favorable, the low-cost Forenza still lags behind its peers in offering such safety features as side-curtain airbags, as well as traction and stability control.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for an alternative to the higher-priced Japanese imports, as well as a hint of European flavoring both inside and out, the Forenza deserves a good look. Add a seven-year/100,000-mile transferable warranty and the Forenza becomes a penny-pincher's joy.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for the latest safety and stability-control advances, the Forenza doesn't offer them. The Forenza's resale values fall far from the marks set by Honda and Toyota, and its 2.0-liter engine is not as refined or powerful as most in this class.

What's Significant About This Car?

No major changes for 2007

Driving the Forenza

Driving Impressions The Forenza feels fairly solid on the road, with good steering response and a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission. The 2.0-liter engine is not big on power, but if it's just...

you and one other person onboard, the Forenza's acceleration should be enough to get you down the highway and around traffic.

The engine is a bit rough when pushed harder and lacks the refinement found in Honda and Toyota powerplants. The ride is relatively smooth, so long as the pavement remains civilized, and body roll and pitch are held in check in all but the most extreme maneuvers. The 15-inch tires are designed more for comfort than performance, which seems fitting for the Forenza's mission in life.

Favorite Features

Color-Keyed Heated Exterior Mirrors
The Forenza's standard heated mirrors are rare in this price range.

Attractive Metal Trim Dash
Attractive brushed-metal trim and steering wheel-mounted controls are standard.

2007 Suzuki Forenza Details

Interior

Quality plastics, tasteful trim and large legible gauges highlight the Forenza's handsome interior. Little touches, such as the double-seam stitching running along the armrest, show an attention to detail not found in other compact cars. We were impressed by the long list of standard features, which included a height-adjustable driver's seat with manual lumbar support, a nice audio system capable of reading an MP3-encoded CD and a relatively comfortable rear seat. Interior sound levels were lower than expected, adding a quality feel to the Forenza when cruising at highway speeds.

Exterior

The Forenza looks as though it might be a new Italian import rather than a Japanese entry-level car. The Forenza's stylish exterior was designed in Italy, which explains the strength of the design as seen in the pronounced wheel arches, curved rear pillar and short deck. Color is an important factor in bringing out the car's design. It was our observation that, in white and silver, the Forenza appears rather generic but, in red, blue and green, it truly stands out.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Forenza features a 2.0-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, four-wheel disc brakes, front side-impact airbags, rear defroster, dual heated power mirrors, AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player and eight speakers, power windows, power door locks, tilt steering wheel, split-folding rear seat, variable wipers, rear window wiper/washer (wagon) and full wheel covers. The Convenience Package adds cruise control and remote keyless entry with alarm, while the Popular Package adds a power sunroof.

Optional Equipment

The only available options are an automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes; oddly, the anti-lock brakes are available only on the base model.

Under the Hood

The Forenza's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is not the smoothest engine we've experienced, nor is it very powerful. There is some vibration upon hard acceleration and better fuel economy might be expected from an engine this size.

2.0-liter in-line 4
127 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
131 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 (manual sedan), 22/31 (automatic sedan), 22/30 (manual wagon), 21/30 (automatic wagon)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Suzuki Forenza vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2007 Suzuki Forenza Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

6.1

Out of 10

Based on 365 Ratings for the 2004 - 2008 models.

Review this car

Value

6.7/10

Quality

6.4/10
Reliability

7.0/10

Performance

6.5/10
Comfort

7.0/10

Styling

7.1/10

good car for the money

By DEE (GA) on Saturday, May 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 67,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "nice features on dash, like the stereo too!"

Cons: "not for growing families, too tight interior"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"bought the car in 2008 with 6032 miles and still in good condition....major hassle was getting heads replaced in 2012 paid $1300 but that solve the problem of over heating also had censor replaced in transmission $200. Regular maintenance is a must...recently had it appraised at $3300, im ok wit that. Overall you get your monies worth."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

great buy!!if you take care it of properly

By ray (AZ) on Sunday, April 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 89,650

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "economical and practical fun to drive!!!"

Cons: "loose handling on turns have good tires."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"it will take care of you. The car does everything a compact car should do. The only minor issue is the driving around turns is a little loose. it does not have the tight handling as other cars. but for basic transportation it serves it's purpose and some (premium package model). If you are looking to get a corolla get this one it will save you money and it does the same as used corolla."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Horrible

By Samantha W (AR) on Monday, April 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 79,970

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 1/10
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "none"

Cons: "everything. engine failing, interior falling apart"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this car 13 months ago and i know it was 6 years old when i bought it but i have had absolutely nothing but trouble out of it since the very day i got it. From cosmetic, to mechanical it is falling apart on me. i still owe $6000 more than it is worth. it just turns my stomach. i do not recommend anyone buy this car unless you have a ton of money to pour into it."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Okay for the price

By mrd (OR) on Friday, March 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Dependable, Low cost."

Cons: "Cheaply made, interior falls apart."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I have owned my 2004 Forenza since 2007. Overall the car has run fairly well considering I got the car when I was a teenager and did not take very good care of it (i.e. regular oil changes etc) In December 2011, the car overheated on a road trip and again a few times throughout the year as I was driving it in town. I had it taken in and paid $500 to have the problem fixed. Complaints: check engine light continues to come on, brake light is always on, first the stereo console lighting went out completely and now stereo does not work at all, recall on electrical that has to do with the head lights, cup holder broken, auto driver side window does not roll down, air vents broken."

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Pretty good car for the money

By archy (IN) on Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 202,909

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Saves money on gas and it just keeps on keeping on"

Cons: "Overall a very good car"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car is a 4 door 'station wagon' type with a good amount of space to haul things in the back. It is a hatch back and drives great in snow and ice. One recall due to wiring that needed to be changed and that was done. The seats are ok but need a little more leg room. From day one I got 32 miles to a gal of gas. Just had the motor rebuilt due to a cracked head. The radiator leaked due to a faulty seal at 196000 miles. Didn't realize that until it blew on the interstate. Still driving it............"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

I really like it

By dj (MA) on Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 7/10

Cons: "the tires seem to be small"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought this as my divorce car and got rid of the family trailblazer gas guzzler> I totally expected to have issues after a few years, but it has now been 5 years and i've never had anything major go wrong with it. Routine maintenance and oil changes and that's about it! The paint is wearing off the door handles and the tires seem small. If you hit a pothole, you can really feel it. I also love the air gauge in the tire, and always use nitrogen to keep the tires properly inflated. I actually hated buying it but now like the car and feel it was a great car for the price."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 365 reviews