Forenza

Base price: $12,849

Price as tested: $14,399

This week we test-drive the Suzuki Forenza, an impressive newcomer to the compact market that is turning heads and leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

Well, at least you get that notion from Forenza's impressive "S" badge shining in chrome on the center of its stylish, European looking grill. Of course, the "S" stands for Suzuki, not Superman. (But when a consumer considers all that the Forenza offers, the meaning of the "S"is debatable.)

Suzuki's new premium compact sedan has the qualities that attract buyers to this market — good gas mileage (22 city and 30 highway) and a great price. Forenza also makes an immediate "point-of-sale" impact because of its long list of amenities that shame some of its competitors. Please read on.

Outwardly, Forenza's four-inch-high "S" emblem is simply cool and makes a great first impression. In combination with other chrome trim, it complemented the Silver Metallic paint on our tester. The three-bulb, circular headlight package is also extremely attractive. The lights are enclosed in a glass case that has a chrome bottom, offering a very reflective, expensive look.

Also outside, the LX model offers fog lamps and 12-spoke, alloy wheels, better than the "covers" offered by several competing models. In summarizing the motif, there's a bit of a "standard sedan" look to the rake of Forenza, and there's no spoiler to toughen the stance at the rear. However, we think it's still among the most attractive in its class.

The Forenza isn't more powerful than a locomotive, nor faster than a speeding bullet, but its two-liter, double-overhead-cam, 16-valve I-4 engine does create 126 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty of power for its small frame. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and LX models, with a four-speed automatic optional. (The top-of-the-line EX comes only with the automatic). All three models have power-assisted steering and four-wheel disc brakes, the latter a definite bonus in the compact market as you often see disc in front and dated drums in the rear.

The "metal" trim that helps accent Forenza's exterior is also used inside. There are two-inch-high strips of aluminum-looking trim on the doors and on the dash above the glove compartment, and even two smaller blocks of it on the steering wheel. What didn't seem to match inside was the color of the cloth seating, which featured speckles of light and dark browns and blues. It said "grandma" compared to the rest of the car.

Still, the interior is loaded. Forenza LX features air conditioning, cruise, AM/FM/cassette/CD audio system with eight speakers, tilt steering with remote stereo controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 60/40 split folding rear seats, floor mats, power windows and locks, power tilt-slide moonroof and driver and passenger front air bags. It also has remote power trunk release, remote keyless entry and heated, remote, power mirrors. The heated power mirrors are even standard on the S model, as are the air conditioning, power locks and windows and CD system. That outdoes almost every competitor for a car priced under $12,500.

Overall, the Forenza matches up nicely to the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, tough competitors we recently tested for 2004. It beats the Elantra in looks and amenities, loses to it in gas mileage (Elantra has 26 city and 34 highway ratings) and, we feel, matches it in performance. It's similar or slightly ahead of Civic in its list of standard features, while its mileage numbers fall well short of the Civic's 32 and 37. Still, we give a "thumbs up" to Forenza in looks, extras, price and "fun," and it's almost $1,000 cheaper than the Civic for the mid-level model. In fact, in comparing seven compact models, only Elantra beats Forenza in price, but the Hyundai offers much less.

Suzuki also plays ball with its established competitors by offering a 100,000-mile, seven-year transferable powertrain limited warranty and 24/7/365 roadside assistance.

Important numbers include a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, curb weight of 2,701 pounds, a 14.5-gallon fuel capacity (regular unleaded) and 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

Also noteworthy is a $1,500 customer cash-back, dropping the base Forenza to $11,349 and the LX to a steal at $12,899. (Offer good through June 30.)

Sorting through all this, we can find no kryptonite that slows the Forenza. It's a solid, sharp-looking, affordable car that we rate an 8.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Likes: Looks, especially the front grill; ride; lots of extras for the price. Dislikes: Cloth interior; ear-like audio controls on steering wheel too easily bumped.

Note: Specifications and equipment based on information available at time of posting and subject to change without notice, and may differ in each sales area. Some vehicles shown with optional equipment. For more details on 2007 options, accessories and specifications, contact your local Suzuki dealer.