While the Suzuki Forenza has been discontinued in all flavors, the vehicle is still widely available from dealers in new condition and numerous used options are available on the market. What does the Forenza wagon offer you? The 2008 Suzuki Forenza wagon offered no changes from the 2007 models, mostly because the vehicle was slated to be cancelled after the model year ended. For 2008, the Forenza was available in three trim levels, Base, Convenience and Popular. The vehicle used only a single engine with a choice of automatic or manual transmission – a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine putting out only 127 hp. The automatic transmission has been much maligned, though the manual offers decent operation.
The 2008 Forenza wagon competed with the Pontiac Vibe and the Dodge Caliber, though the discontinuation of the vehicle is largely due with its inability to compete with these vehicles on even footing. The Popular trim level offers a sunroof, while the Convenience trim level must be chosen to enjoy remote entry and cruise control.
2008 Suzuki Forenza Wagon Performance
The 2008 Suzuki Forenza wagon offers modest acceleration from a stop. However, the automatic transmission is very weak and, as acceleration rises, its performance lowers. The manual transmission is the best option for those who want to actually be able to accelerate at realistic speeds; though the vehicle will never win any speed records with the OEM equipment aboard. As a note, both automatic and manual transmissions are quite noisy, though the automatic is by far the loudest.
Surprisingly, the Forenza wagon does not come in strong in fuel economy, averaging less than 18 mpg for in-town driving. Highway driving does knock that up to 29 mpg, but only for the manual transmission. The automatic transmission option is a dismal choice and will reduce fuel economy by a considerable amount.
For ride quality, the 2008 Forenza wagon and family receive mixed scores. While even rough road surfaces are comfortable to ride on, bumps and dips do jounce passengers around considerably. The steering is competent, but the vehicle does suffer from marked body lean, even during moderate turns. ABS is not standard, so braking is not as powerful as it should be for a vehicle in this class. Finally, the vehicle is loud in almost all respects – engine noise is noticeable at all speeds, while road noise, wind noise and tire noise are also very noticeable.
2008 Suzuki Forenza Wagon Interior
One nice point about the Forenza wagon is that all gauges are easy to read from the driver's seat. Lighting is more than ample and the location of all gauges is excellent. Audio and HVAC controls are a bit of a stretch, though. Another area of note in the Forenza is the quality of the interior. Despite the vehicle's budget price, the interior feels quite solid and offers a nice look that contrasts with the reputation the vehicle has earned in other areas.
The front seats are quite spacious, giving even tall drivers a comfortable seat in the vehicle. The seats provide excellent comfort and support for long or short drives and drivers will find that the visibility from the front is excellent. The rear seats are still comfortable, but cramped for anyone above child size. Of course, one area that the wagon excels in is that of cargo room. With class-topping space, the wagon offers easy access to anything in the rear, and the entry access is easy to negotiate with larger loads, as well.
2008 Suzuki Forenza Wagon Safety Features
Yet another area in which the Forenza suffers is that of standard safety features. The vehicle received a solid 4-star rating from the NHTSA, but Suzuki would have done better to make more equipment available standard on each model. The Forenza wagon offers 4-wheel disc brakes (not ABS), a tire pressure monitor, daytime running lights, dual front airbags and front side airbags as standard equipment. ABS was available as an option only.
Summary
The Suzuki Forenza wagon might be discontinued, but can still be purchased. This vehicle is a good choice only for those seeking cost savings. The vehicle's lack of power and subdued performance are two of the leading reasons it is no longer produced. Better options are available, but few at the price of the Forenza. If you seek deep discounts and simply need something to drive, then the Forenza is a good choice, though the wagon does provide excellent cargo room.