The Forenza is mechanically identical to the Suzuki Reno, and also shares its interior up to the rear seat. But instead of a swoopy hatchback design, the wagon version of the Forenza has a taller and longer cargo area that makes the car far more practical than the Reno. And although a comparable Reno is less expensive, the Forenza’s increased availability of antilock brakes lets one include this group’s required options for only a few hundred dollars more than the Reno. But the added practicality of the wagon body style could only go so far, as this car is still plagued with the same fuel economy, acceleration, and agility issues as the Reno, so still cannot go past this position.

Like the Reno, the Forenza rides comfortably enough over smooth pavement, but anything else will reveal its overly stiff nature and poorly controlled ride motions (two negative traits that ought not to go together). Worse yet, the suspension’s firmness seems to have done nothing with the car’s handling ability. The car feels ungainly, with excessive body roll and numb, slow steering, particularly disappointing considering how much lower the Reno is than many of the others here. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder returns a disappointing combination of the poorest acceleration and in this group and rather poor gas mileage, and it is rough and noisy while doing this. Road noise is noticeable as well.

The Forenza’s front seats are too low, but comfortable and supportive overall, and there is decent space. The rear seat could also be higher, the cushion is flat, and legroom is deficient for larger occupants, but the seat is adequately comfortable for a small car overall. The interior is surprisingly well-constructed, one of the car’s few strong points. The dash design is tasteful, and it makes use of high quality materials that fit together quite well. The instruments are conveniently placed, and the gauges are large and clear. Drivers sit comfortably, though a bit too low. Drivers sit comfortably, and the thinner roof pillars give them better rearward visibility than in the Reno. Cargo space behind the rear seats almost triples in the Forenza wagon compared to the Reno, and the space is much more usefully shaped.

The Forenza sedan earned a rather disappointing score for a small car in the IIHS offset crash test, Acceptable (the third highest of five possible ratings) in a class where over half of the cars earned the highest overall rating. Like most of its competitors, the Forenza sedan earned the lowest rating of Poor in the demanding IIHS side crash test despite its standard side airbags. Its head restraints were rated Poor as well. NHTSA awarded the car four out of five stars for both the driver and for the front passenger, but did not subject the Forenza yet to its side crash test.

The Forenza reviewed here came in at $15,864, adequately equipped. The car does not offer curtain-style side airbags, but a CD player with a cassette deck and alloy wheels are included at that price.

Overall, the Forenza is more practical than the Reno, or in fact than any of the others that it outscored. But like the Reno, it can make a good first impression, but falls short in terms of driving dynamics and engine performance and economy. Too far short even for its respectable price to compensate fully.

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