2 Star Reviews for Suzuki Forenza

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

3.88/5 Average
426 Total Reviews
Model Overview:

At some point in their lives, most people find themselves in need of a small, inexpensive car that gets them around with minimal hassle. While the names "Civic" and "Corolla" come up in most every small sedan buyer's research, the trouble is that you often pay dearly for these household names. In hopes of attracting people on a tighter budget, Suzuki offered the Forenza from 2004-'08.

This value-oriented compact came in sedan and wagon body styles. It boasted a low price of entry, a roomy interior, European-inspired design, a host of standard features, competitive power figures and a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

At a glance, the well-equipped Suzuki Forenza appeared to offer terrific value. But in our evaluations, we found that it fell short of the segment leaders in terms of performance, fuel economy, handling and interior refinement. Unless you really need the extra space of its available wagon body style in a used car, we recommend that you focus on one of its more worthy competitors.

Most Recent Suzuki Forenza

The Suzuki Forenza debuted in 2004, with the wagon model following in 2005. The Forenza was actually built by the Korean automaker Daewoo and rebadged as the Forenza for the American market. It was offered as a four-door sedan or wagon in a single trim level with various available packages. Standard equipment included four-wheel disc brakes, air-conditioning, front seat side airbags, full power accessories and a CD/MP3 stereo with steering-wheel controls. Notably, ABS was an extra-cost option.

The Forenza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 127 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. This engine performed adequately with the manual transmission but felt burdened and underpowered when saddled with the four-speed automatic. To make matters worse, it wasn't particularly fuel-efficient or refined, either.

The Forenza's cabin was something of a mixed bag, too. It was spacious, with lots of stylish metallic accents, but this was offset by inconsistent materials quality and an overall lack of refinement and quality compared with class leaders. If you can get past that, there was lots of rear legroom for adults and a 60/40-split-folding seatback for extra utility. The sedan provided 12 cubic feet of trunk capacity, with the wagon offering nearly 62 cubic feet of space with the rear seat folded.

On the road, the Suzuki Forenza exhibited soft, rubbery handling and a poor ride quality compared with its competitors, as well as excessive wind noise on the highway. Although it was compliant enough, it exhibited little suspension control over bumps and ruts. Handling around corners was loose and unsure, with excessive body roll and minimal grip from the tires. When merging into traffic, automatic-equipped Forenzas accelerated weakly, and any such maneuver took some advance planning.

Changes were slight during the Suzuki Forenza's run. For 2005, side impact airbags became standard for all Forenzas. The Forenza was freshened up a bit for 2006, receiving a new front fascia, redesigned seats, new wheels and revised trim levels. Bluetooth became available for 2008.

User Reviews:

Showing 51 through 60 of 426.00
  • Will not buy another one - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    My daughters car and my nieces car and one other lady I work with they all have had electrical problems. If you want a cheap car, great on gas this is it. But it does not ride very well and the size tires that it takes do not last, everyone said that the P195/55R15 are a low rated tire that will only last 20k miles max and they werent kidding!

  • Not the car i thought it would be - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    I bought this car brand new.. thought it was a great buy. I guess you cant ask for much for 11,000. Everything was good until 45,000 miles. Head gasket blew.. a couple of oil hoses had to be changed. The 5,000 repair cost was covered by the warranty so that wasnt that bad. Then at 49,000 my clutch and all the components broke. That was 850 out of my pocket not including towing... Now at 51,000 the cam shaft sensor broke along with the steering belt. 600 dollars to replace... I dont know whats next... Im still paying for my car and i already have an extensive list of repairs.. My only question is, whats going to break next? Oh and the paint on all my door handles chipped off after 3 years.

  • Never buy, cant drive my family safely around!! - 2008 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    I got my Suzuki two years ago this month... Bought it wil 18,000 miles on it. To start, they replaced the transmission a day before I got it. Dealer never said anything and said nothing was wrong with it, that it belonged to an elderly woman who only used it to run errands... I get the car n 6 months later (4,000 miles if that!) they had to replace the transmission again! 35,000 miles currently n on its 3rd transmission and current will need replaced yet again cause its slipping. It randomly shuts off, speakers blown out, outside door handle paint is all off n dealer repainted them, check engine light goes on n off, gas light doesnt come on until your out of gas, Nd much more! Dont buy!!!

  • Gas Guzzler of a Small Wagon? - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    I have put 2,000 miles on my Suzuki Forenza LX wagon. Just like others have said, the fuel economy is terrible on this car. I have gotten less than 15 mpg in the city and 27 mpg in highwaydriving. Also, the steering wheel is always vibrating when it starts to take off. I like its design though, pretty much looks like a Jetta wagon. I would hope these are all the problems I have for the next few years.

  • 2006 Forenza - $15,000 paperweight! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    Look, if you are about to buy an 06 Forenza, STOP! Dont do it. About 1/4 of the 2006 Forenza line has a cold start problem. Meaning after that you let it sit a while it will not start or runs really rough. I am not the only one expercing this problem. I took to the dealer (Ive only had it for four days) and they said that there is something wrong with the fuel pressure and that Suzuki is aware of it and that when they know how to fix it they will give us a call! DONT BUY IT! They gave me a rental, but I still have to pay for something that dosent run right and that is brand new. Ive got a lawyer now its time to sue.

  • I got duped!! - 2006 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    This car is the WORST car I have EVER owned. I drive a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. My car does NOT start like it is supposed to. I have spent so much money trying to determine what the problem is. I have to unplug the battery in order for the car to start when im ready to drive it & that does not always work. The car is in the shop right now. I took the car in Saturday 4/21/2012. I got a complete tune-up. I picked the car up Saturday 4/28/2012. I drove home. I parked the car. I went to move the car on Monday 4/30/2012. The car would not start. I took it back to the mechanic. I brought the car with 4 miles on it. It was brand new. I now have 21,000+ mi on it. It makes no sense. I HATE this car!

  • Dont purchase - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    Transmission knocks when it is put in drive (just not when at the dealership), inside door handles break off, my valve cover gasket was leaking, my hood keeps popping open when driving, I keep going through tires after numerous alignments and rotations, and during an oil change when the vehicle was coming down off the lift the struts magically failed. Not a very impressive car. I do not recommend buying this car. Biggest mistake that I have made, should have spent a little more money on a Honda

  • unhappy with car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    Ok, so continuing from back in Sept, my car went back in again to the dealer for a 3rd time replacing the transmission sensor for a second time on 10/12/09 and also had a drivers seat ordered as the lumbar is broken. Well to date, no call yet that the seat is in and we are now in December and the car still rides like it has a hesitation. Suzuki rep has decided not to return calls as well. Its no wonder they stopped making this car. They are nothing but junk!! Transmission should have been changed according to other mechanics, but Suzuki doesnt want to honor the warranties!! Rip offs!!

  • Transmission Range Sensor - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    Not all to bad of a vehicle, but it has numerous write-ups of transmission issues. My wifes Forenza has the check engine light on now. The code presented were PO700and PO705 (Transmission Range Sensor) This part is dealer only and cost $50-$60. Getting it fixed at the dealer would have cost us about $300-$400. $60 part, thirty minute change time, $400 cost. Yeah right! Did it myself.

  • Transmission - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
    By -

    So, bought the car in Aug 2007, first month it was in shop 3 times for a vibration/shake. They finally after first aligning, rotating and balancing tires, then supposedly replaced tires because they claimed there were flat spots figured out it was bent wheel axles!! Then again in the shop 3 weeks ago as the engine seemed to have a strain on it and then wouldnt drive. They claimed it was the sensor in the transmission, then got it from the dealer and that same day they had to have it towed as it would not shift into gear at all!! They told me they replaced the shifter cables. On the first time into the shop for the transmission they told me the radiator was never bolted into the car!!

Suzuki Forenza Reviews By Year:
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