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2008 Suzuki Forenza Review - What the Auto Press Says

The Forenza is a basic, budget-friendly car for around-town travel, but it receives troubling safety scores and lacks the engine power of others in its class. Although it was a new model last year, it has been discontinued for 2009.

The 2008 Suzuki Forenza offers a spacious interior for an economy car, but it has little else to distinguish it from the competition. On the positive side, the Forenza is described as a competent and attractive sedan with an affordable price tag. On the negative side, several reviewers knock the Forenza's weak engine performance and miserly gas mileage.

Above all, Suzuki markets the Forenza on its price tag. U.S. News' reviewer Rick Newman says he's not sure if he could be persuaded "to pick a Forenza over vehicles with proven durability, like the Corolla or Civic, but it might get me into the showroom. And once there, I might do what I do at Wal-Mart: start buying stuff just because it seems too cheap to pass up."

If you want an inexpensive runabout, consider the Nissan Versa. Unlike the Forenza, the Versa does well in crash tests, and its 1.6 base trim is the least expensive car in the U.S -- starting for less than $10,000.

The 2008 Forenza is available in one trim as a four-door sedan, and is also offered as a five-door wagon.

• "Far too appliance-like to be considered by anyone with an interest in driving. For those folks, however, it's a decent option." -- Car and Driver
• "Given the price, and the likelihood that a Suzuki dealer might be more willing to deal on a Forenza than a Honda dealer will on a Civic, this is a nice car for a single person or a small family." -- Orlando Sentinel
• "The Forenza sedan is designed to offer a strong value in a sea of value-priced compact sedans." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Underwhelming pretty much sums up my experience." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Forenza Performance - 6.4 (Mediocre)

The Forenza offers decent performance for around town driving, but little else, and you'll have to make way too many trips to the gas station for such a small car. Car and Driver notices, "Roly-poly suspension, weak engine, and clunky automatic shifter make this one not for enthusiasts." Read More

Forenza Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2008 Suzuki Forenza is an attractive car in a class with rather uniform styling, but experts still say there are other cars with sportier or more modern frames. View Photos

Forenza Interior - 7.3 (Good)

The five-seat Suzuki Forenza's interior score is in the middle of its class. Roomy seating and a good number of features are positives, but most test drivers find the seats uncomfortable and the quality of materials debatable. Read More

Forenza Safety - 5.9 (Mediocre)

The Suzuki Forenza is equipped with basic safety features, but its performance in government and insurance industry crash tests is less than impressive. Read More

Forenza Reliability - 2.0 of 5

The 2008 Suzuki Forenza reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. All Suzukis come equipped with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty. Read More