2005 Suzuki Reno
Car shopping can be overwhelming. There are many choices, and sometimes sticker shock is enough to make you run right out of the showroom. But Suzuki has a remedy for that. In the last two years, this small Japanese brand has launched a quartet of new cars, and all with very affordable prices. So affordable that U.S. sales have jumped 25%. So, when this little Reno hatchback arrived in our driveway, we couldn't wait to see if it will lead to more big success.
True, value for the dollar is a big reason Suzuki is enjoying big success. But it also has to do with the cars. The Reno, like the Forenza sedan and wagon, and Verona sedan, are made in Korea by GM's Daewoo subsidiary. And as we have found out from our long term Verona, their reasonable prices buy very good quality. Indeed, the subcompact Reno has a lot going for it, including its chassis. It's the same as the Forenza sedan. But the Reno is a sporty 5-door hatchback, aimed squarely at the young and active.
The handsome Italdesign penned lines are sleek, with a European flow that would not look out of place on the streets of Paris or Milan. This is the best looking Suzuki yet. Like the Forenza, the Reno rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase that's a little shorter than competitors like the Focus ZX5 or Mazda3 5-door. But at 67.9-inches, the Reno is wider than most rivals. So it packs quite a bit of interior space into its streamlined body. Its 95 cubic-foot cabin is big for a subcompact.
Again sharing much with the Forenza, the layout of the instrument panel is trendy, and the quality of the switchgear is excellent. Gauges are big with an overlapping style popular in sports cars. All Renos are very well equipped, with power windows, locks and mirrors, air conditioning with micron air-filtration, and an MP3-capable 8-speaker CD audio system. EX models like our test car include standard leather upholstery, on surprisingly comfortable bucket seats. All adjustments are manual, but height and lumbar controls are included, as are standard front side impact airbags.
Rear seat entry requires tall folks to crouch a bit, but once in there's enough head and leg room for 6-footers. The 60/40 split bench has a center armrest with two cup holders and folds easily. This expands the small 8.8 cubic-foot luggage space to that of a small SUV.
Handling hardware is a straightforward MacPherson strut front and a dual-link rear design. Like Forenza, it's tuned very soft, which means lots of body roll in corners. Balance is quite good, however, and the car turns in smartly and exhibits only mild front push. The heavy roll does scrub off a lot of speed if you push the Reno hard, however, but the chassis stays planted, and the soft speed-sensitive steering still delivers reasonable feedback.
Reno's brakes are standard 4-wheel discs. Disc/drum is more typical in this class. With the optional anti-lock engaged, our test car stopped from 60 in a reasonable average distance of 129 feet. The chassis feels somewhat unsettled in hard stops, but it does retain its grip on the road. Still, not quite as solid a feel as its better competitors.
The same goes for ride quality. The Reno is reasonably quiet and comfortable on smooth roads, but tends to hop and bop a bit too much on choppy pavement.
EPA fuel mileage ratings are 22 city/30 highway. Our mixed test loop delivered a disappointing 23 miles per gallon. Maybe we drive too fast.
On the plus side, the Reno S carries a base price of only $13,994. Opt for the LX, and pay $15,894, while the fully-loaded EX wears a $17,494 sticker. Hardly expensive, but if you're willing to forgo a few items like leather upholstery, that same sticker price will also buy most of the better Japanese and domestic rivals. What they don't have is the sure bet of Suzuki's 7-year/100,000 mile engine warranty. So the 2005 Suzuki Reno is a great looking, high value little car, that is competent by every measure. And while its subcompact playground is tough to say the least, with lots of style, substance, and quality packed into its diminutive frame, this sharp little 5-door is sure to keep Suzuki sales climbing.
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2005 Forenza Wagon
With its Italian styling, a British suspension and an Australian engine, this Korean-built Suzuki Forenza wagon shares the same international lineage as the Forenza sedan that arrived last year. Now, Suzuki knows a thing or two about marketing slick high-value transportation. With all that, plus an exceptional warranty, can this very affordable Forenza wagon really make a wrong turn?
Well, if the brisk sales of Suzuki's Forenza sedan bears any weight here, the 2005 Forenza Wagon should have no trouble finding its place on the lot and off pretty quickly! Made by GM's Korean Daewoo subsidiary, this newest Suzuki joins a roster of fresh competitors, including the also new Suzuki Reno, that have brought the compact 5-door segment back from near extinction.
Crisp lines make up the Euro-penned Pininfarina styled wagon, with a look that is expansive and fluid. Its taut sheet metal stretches over its lean, low profile emphasizing its sporty aerodynamic body. From its multi-reflector jeweled headlights, brushed aluminum roof rack, and streamlined taillights, the Forenza completely sheds the boxy image that often comes with a covered wagon.
This wagon rides on the same 102.4-inch wheelbase as the sedan and Reno. It's supported by standard 15-inch wheels, steel on the S grade and alloys with LX and our car's EX trim, all shod with substantial P195/55R15 tires Its rigid stamped-steel unibody makes for a solid foundation, and a good root for the wagon's quick reactions. The independent MacPherson front strut system and dual link rear suspension configuration are tuned for a good balance between smooth highway ride and responsive around town handling.
And motivating this front-wheel drive chassis is the sedan's familiar 2.0-liter engine, discharging a modest 126-horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on S and LX models, making the sport in this wagon more than cosmetic. But most buyers will select the 4-speed automatic that's standard with our car's top drawer EX trim. This Forenza wagon managed 0-60 in a reasonable 10.9 seconds, and quarter mile in 18.1 seconds at 76 miles per hour. That's the same as the automatic Reno we tested earlier, but about 2 seconds slower than a manual Forenza sedan.
Braking comes by way of standard four-wheel disc brakes with optional ABS and Brake Assist. With ABS, stops from 60 averaged a good 130 feet. Pedal feel is somewhat stiff, but nicely progressive.
Now, while styling and performance are important, it is the interior of a small wagon that is its most important asset. The Forenza Wagon opens to a very airy 121.6 cubic feet. Our EX is lined with sturdy and supportive leather trimmed seating. All models are well equipped including a height adjustable driver's seat. Behind the tilt leather-wrapped wheel, complete with auxiliary stereo controls, gauges appear clear and substantial. The dash is also shared with the sedan and Reno, with the center stack carrying large climate controls and an eight-speaker AM/FM CD cassette sound system.
Standard on the LX and our EX is a power tilt-and-slide sunroof. The rear quarters feature a 60/40 split fold-down bench for three with height-adjustable head rests. Just be careful not to cram the tall ones in back. It gets a little tight on leg room. Release the folding bench and expand the Forenza wagon's 24.4 cubic feet of storage space to a generous 61.4 cubic feet. That's a third better than the hatchback Reno, it surpasses the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, and it's almost as big as some compact SUVs. Protective features includes standard front-seat mounted side-impact airbags. That's still a rare find in a compact car.
As for EPA fuel economy estimates, our EX automatic calls for 20 city and 26 highway. Our test loop was high at 25 miles per gallon.
So, interested in a test drive of your own? Well, a base price Forenza S Wagon is a modest $14,494. Step up to the LX for $16,394. And to drive our test car, the EX with ABS, it'll cost you $18,494. Not bad for a sturdy family car. Especially when you factor in Suzuki's irresistible 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Besides, this is one great looking, competent, affordable, and spacious wagon. So, all in all, it looks like Suzuki's made another turn in the right direction with all signs pointing to sold!
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AWD?
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