2008 Suzuki Forenza

Standard CD/MP3 Player
The Forenza's standard six-speaker AM/FM audio system includes a single-disc CD player with MP3 playback capability.

Front Side-Impact Airbags
Unlike some pricier vehicles in its class, the Forenza's extensive standard equipment list includes driver and passenger side-impact airbags.

Charcoal and silver define the sole color palette in the Forenza's spacious cabin, with that theme appearing on the dash, door panels and seats. There's an abundance of hard plastic trim, but the general level of fit and finish here is competitive in its class. Legible gauges are complemented by well-positioned primary controls and the instrument panel's center-stack switchgear. The front seats could use a touch more lateral support, but the 60/40 split-folding rear bench will accommodate a pair of medium-sized adults or three kids. Folding both rear seatbacks flat will add an extra measure of utility to the sedan's 12.4 cubic-foot trunk and increases carrying capacity of the wagon's cargo area from 19.3 to 61.8 cubic feet.

With sheetmetal styled by Italian design house Pininfarina, both Forenza models have a clean, well-proportioned look punctuated by a crisp shoulder line, crystalline headlamp and taillamp lenses, body-color mirrors and door handles and pronounced fenders that cover 195/55 all-season tires on steel wheels. Both are identical forward of the B-pillar area. From there back, the gently arched roofline on the sedan breaks smartly into a short decklid while the rear quarters on the wagon match sloped contours with a large single-piece hatch that ensures plenty of real utility while imparting distinctive visual character.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in all Forenzas makes 127 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque, sufficient for both city traffic and freeway running but pretty marginal when it comes to things like aggressive passing maneuvers. Although teaming it with the five-speed manual rather than the optional four-speed automatic gives a bit more get-up-and-go, even that modest edge is hampered by a somewhat balky shift linkage. Arguably the biggest shortcoming here is the engine's lackluster fuel efficiency regardless of transmission. With the sedan EPA-rated at 20/28 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 19/28 mpg with the automatic, and the wagon at 19/27 mpg with either transmission, the Forenza falls well short of its main competitors -- even those with larger and/or more powerful engines -- as well as Suzuki's own newer and more potent SX4 and SX4 Sport sedan.

2.0-liter in-line 4
127 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
131 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 (manual, sedan), 19/28 (automatic, sedan), 19/27 (manual, wagon), 19/27 (automatic, wagon)