For a growing group of consumers, few vehicles offer a more stylistic and budget-conscious alternative than Suzuki’s Forenza sedan and Wagon. With flair that defines distinctive lifestyles, the Forenza sedan and Wagon continue to provide consumers with modern conveniences and a responsive powertrain, all wrapped in contemporary European style.

2008 Suzuki Forenza

In most showrooms, there’s a disconnect between a consumer’s automotive budget and the degree of vehicle expressiveness available within that budget. The Forenza sedan and Wagon bust that perception wide open, offering timeless Pininfarina design, responsive performance and established durability with a roomy interior for up to five people. Forenza Wagon adds generous, flexible cargo capacity. In 2008, the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon add available Bluetooth1 connectivity, chrome inside door handles, steering wheel-integrated audio controls and fog lamps to their already extensive list of comfort and luxury features.

As with all 2008 Suzuki vehicles, the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon are backed by a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

Smooth DOHC Power

Both models are fitted with a sophisticated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine driving the front wheels. The engine produces a solid 127 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 131 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Hydraulic engine and transmission mounts help insulate the interior from engine noise and vibration. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic offered as an option. A “hold” button on the automatic prevents unwanted gear hunting when driving in hilly terrain.

The Forenza sedan delivers an EPA estimated 20 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway for the manual transmission model and 19 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway for the automatic transmission model. The Forenza Wagon delivers an EPA estimated 19 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway for both manual transmission and automatic transmission models. In 2006, the ULEV-II emissions system was upgraded with enhanced OBDII for more efficient diagnostics capability.

Sophisticated Ride and Handling

The Forenza’s refined handling characteristics begin with a rigid stamped steel unibody structure and front-wheel drive for good all-weather traction. An independent MacPherson strut front suspension, dual-link rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars and gas-pressurized shocks at all four corners make for capable handling, while helping to isolate occupants from road noise, vibration and harshness.

For low-effort maneuvering as well as high-speed precision, Forenza uses speed-sensitive power-assisted steering (which automatically adjusts the power steering assist according to the vehicle’s speed) to provide more boost for slow-speed maneuvering while retaining a secure feel on the highway. The Forenza sedan and Wagon are equipped with 15-inch steel wheels with new flush wheel covers and P195/55R15 all-season tires.

Active and Passive Safety Features

Forenza vehicles feature front and rear crumple zones designed to help dissipate crash energy. The cabin and side-impact door beams are constructed of high-tensile steel to help minimize intrusion into the passenger cabin. The Forenza features an advanced dual-stage front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS), an advanced weight-sensing front passenger airbag SRS, and driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbag SRS. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) option offers four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

In addition, the Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon are fitted with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). If the tire air pressure falls below a minimum specification, a dashboard light alerts the driver to measure the air pressure and make a correction.

Height-adjustable front shoulder belts and seatbelt pre-tensioners help provide optimal belt positioning and are designed to automatically take slack out of the front seatbelts in unison with airbag deployment. Three-point seatbelts for all passengers in the back seat and a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat system provide additional security.

World Class Styling

Distinctive design from the legendary Italian Pininfarina Design Studio matches first-class visibility and maximum flexibility with the Forenza’s signature front fascia, large greenhouse and the Wagon’s two-box profile, all at attainable price points for consumers.

Warm and Expressive Interior

The Forenza offers an array of upscale standard interior features, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, standard air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and heated exterior mirrors. It is also fitted with attractive seat fabric, special noise insulation, metallic silver accents surrounding the classic analog gauges, and a distinctively designed instrument panel and center console.

The Forenza sedan offers substantial interior spaciousness with 107.5 cubic feet of interior volume, and the Forenza Wagon has an even roomier interior with 121.6 cubic feet of space. Rear seat legroom and rear shoulder room are generous with 36.7 inches and 53.7 inches, respectively. Both models have 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks to maximize cargo carrying capacity; 12.4 cubic feet for Forenza sedan and an impressive 24.4 cubic feet for Forenza Wagon (61.8 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded). The Forenza Wagon’s lift gate makes loading long or bulky items a snap, while the standard roof rails are easy to access.

Trim Levels and Packages

Both the Forenza sedan and the Forenza Wagon are available in one trim level, and customers can choose to add the Convenience Package or the Popular Package. The base models include standard front and side airbags, TPMS, daytime running lights, power windows, mirrors and door locks, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary jack and six speakers, and air conditioning. The Convenience Package adds remote keyless entry, an anti-theft alarm, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, and cruise control. ABS with EBD is optional. The Popular Package adds front fog lamps and power tilt-and-slide sunroof. The starting MSRP for the Forenza sedan is $14,249; $15,149 for the Forenza Wagon.