Overview & Reviews
No matter how you slice it, the departed Suzuki Reno was basically a Suzuki Forenza wagon with a slightly more stylish body. It shared that car's basic architecture, engine and transmission. A four-door compact hatchback, the Reno should make for an affordable used car with plenty of interior space and lots of features. Don't expect class-leading performance, however, as the Reno lagged behind the competition in virtually every driving-related category -- even fuel economy.
Most Recent Suzuki Reno
The Suzuki Reno debuted for the 2005 model year. With its emphasis on value, the Reno's long list of standard features took center stage. Many modern compact cars come standard with power door locks and windows, a tilt wheel and other convenience features, but the Reno went a little further by offering such features as a micron air-filtration system for the cabin, a CD stereo with MP3 capability and a height- and lumbar-adjustable driver seat -- all without requiring the buyer to check a single box on the options list.
Clearly the Suzuki Reno has excellent value as a used car. Still, "excellent value" doesn't exactly mean comfort or power. While the EX trim level was loaded and included features like leather seats, remote keyless entry and cruise control, the Reno in any trim offered barely adequate performance. This was particularly true in the acceleration department, with subpar fuel economy adding insult to injury. Handling was also less than spectacular, as Suzuki endowed the Reno with a soft, smooth ride at the expense of cornering ability. However, this is a trade-off that the average consumer will likely appreciate.
Because the 127-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has to work so hard to keep up, a good deal of engine noise makes its way into the cabin. Competitors like the Mazda 3 are more refined and quicker by comparison.
The Reno's interior came up short as well when compared to other domestic and import-branded small cars. The materials were of low quality and many panels simply didn't fit correctly. We suggest that shoppers looking for an inexpensive used hatchback skip the Reno and check out more viable choices.
Changes were minimal during the Suzuki Reno's run. Model year 2006 brought the addition of a standard tilt steering wheel and new seat fabrics, while '07 saw the inclusion of a standard tire pressure monitoring system for all trim levels. Unfortunately for audiophiles, the formerly standard eight-speaker stereo was dropped altogether for '08, leaving a meager four-speaker unit in its stead.
User Reviews:
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Reno-The most overlooked compact - 2006 Suzuki Reno
By Tony123 - December 13 - 5:20 amSuzuki makes a great car. The build quality, fit and finish a reliability challenge the best compacts out there. But it seems that the rest of the world sees Suzukis as "bottom of the barrel" cars. This is definitely not true. I have been so pleased with my Reno. My gas mileage is better then what the sticker stated. I average 32-34 mpg with local driving. The car is extremely roomy and comfortable. The transmission is smooth and easy-maybe not as refined as a Sentra or Corolla - but better than any Focus, Cobalt or Elantra. I just bought my wife an XL-7, she loves it. If you like the European style and the practical benefits of a hatchback, test drive a Reno-you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Almost Perfect - 2005 Suzuki Reno
By T Moores - December 9 - 3:13 amIve been driving my Reno for just over a year. The more I drive the more I respect this car. Whats not to like? Consumer Reports doesent like it. I used CR for years to research items. Their review of this car is wayy off. This is a darn good commuter vehicle. Its solid, safe, has a comfy ride, and is nice to look at. The warranty is one of the best things about it.
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A Great Overlooked European Designed Car - 2006 Suzuki Reno
By B E - September 28 - 2:43 amWhen I came home with the Suzuki Reno, most people asked "What is that?" The first comment made by most people is "It looks very European." It truly is one of those cars that makes an appearnce in every French film. This car is a hidden treasure, consider that power windows, locks, mirrors, an am/fm/cd/ tape palyer, heated mirrors and side airbags all come standard on the base model! The 5 speed manual transmission is smooth, buttery, and matched to the 1.8 liter engine makes for a peppy little car!
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The best car ever! - 2005 Suzuki Reno
By Johana Flores - July 4 - 3:06 pmIve had this vehicle for about seven months, and they have been great! The car handles beautifully and I love the sound of the engine reving up. In the city I cant drive so fast but on a recent trip to Las Vegas I had fun! Handles curves nicely, great on inclines, and great mileage for gas!
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Great Commuter - 2005 Suzuki Reno
By golf4frek - April 1 - 4:26 pmGreat little car that is inexpensive and fun to drive! If youre looking for an inexpensive / economical yet stylish little car I highly recommend it Mileage has been about 30 in combined highway / city driving and as high as 33 in straight highway. Thats not to shabby. Power is average but adequate and I concur with the professional reviewers that recommend the 5 speed over the automatic, it couples the power to the wheels much better than the auto. Styling does turn some heads and Ive been asked about it from a few people. Interior is good and functional. List of standard features is great but has no cruise control standard which is strange. Im pleased, this is a great commuter car.
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so far very happy - 2005 Suzuki Reno
By winger21067 - September 23 - 12:06 pmIve owned this Reno for about 2 months now and Iam very pleased. Gas mileage is averageing 30/mpg. (thats city/hwy average mixed)My family fits decently. 2 Adults, Im 62" , and 3 kids. Gabriella is still in a car seat also. As for the cars power, you would accually think this car had a larger engine. Ive got the 5speed Manual. the only real downfall Ive noticed is pedal spacing. I have trouble hitting 2 pedals at once. All in all, Im pleased. This is a far cry better than getting 9 - 13/mpg in my full-sized conversion van. Until gas goes down this is ,I feel, good transportation. Dwayne H.
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My 08 Reno - 2008 Suzuki Reno
By Keair - September 13 - 2:53 amI just bought my 08 Reno a few days ago, and so far Im very impressed with its performance and ride quality. MPG arent too bad, but they could be a little better. For about 20-25 dollars you could expect to ride for a pretty good bit on a full tank. Thats pretty good compared to a much bigger vehicle. My roommate has a minivan, and that take anywhere from thirty to forty dollars to fill up, and gas doesnt last half as long as it does in mine. Im 24, and this is my very first vehicle, and so far Im very happy, and well satisfied with my purchase.
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I Love It - 2007 Suzuki Reno
By James - July 14 - 5:33 pmI love it. The Reno is everything that I need and nothing that I dont. It is spacious for such a small vehicle. The base level is what I went with and with such an affordable price tag who could pass it up?
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Some Quirks - 2006 Suzuki Reno
By Good & Bad - June 6 - 6:43 pmTo start, let me say I really do love this car. But, it has had many problems that make it annoying at times. I had the problem with it not starting for the 1st 6mo I had it-the dealership could never fix it but it stopped happening. Then I had an airflow problem (scary)- The tires wore out (low profile)at 24000. And, Ive had non-stop issues with the airbag sensor, that they just cant seem to fix. I was just told that it would probably need a new Serp. belt soon. But, the car is fun to drive, sporty, decent on mpg. MPG could be better for a car this size, but Its better than an SUV! If you know how to drive the automatic as a manual (as you can in this car) really gets up and goes.
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Great bang for the buck - 2007 Suzuki Reno
By blu5092 - April 9 - 8:30 amI have this car less than a year and have no issues so far. It is comfortable, quick and good on gas. If you floor it, only then do you suffer poor gas mileage. Sometimes I cant help it since I am so impressed by this small motor. For a 2.0 this car is very fast. For anyone who doesnt want to hurt their wallet, this car beats any toyota thats similar in size.
