2006 Suzuki Forenza Review
2006 Suzuki Forenza Review
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Used Forenza for sale
Appraise This CarSuzuki Forenza types
- Sedan
- Wagon
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Long standard features list, comfortable cabin with lots of storage, available wagon body style.
Cons
- Subpar fuel economy, weak acceleration with automatic transmission, sloppy road manners, inconsistent materials quality.
What’s new
For 2006, the Suzuki Forenza receives a new front fascia, redesigned seats with upgraded fabric, new wheel designs and revised trim levels.
Edmunds says
With a generous features list, roomy interior and low price, the 2006 Suzuki Forenza looks like a bargain. Unfortunately, the driving experience falls short of everything else in the economy car class.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$193/mo for Forenza Base
Forenza Base
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Ever close to General Motors, Suzuki is reaping the benefits of GM's purchase of Daewoo Motor Company. One of two new Suzuki cars introduced at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show, the Forenza compact sedan is essentially a replacement for the Daewoo Nubira sold in the U.S. from 1999 to 2002 and is built by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company in South Korea.
In the midst of the highly competitive economy sedan segment, Suzuki's homegrown and distinctive-looking Aerio is a decent car that beckons buyers with a powerful four-cylinder engine, available all-wheel drive and a spacious interior. Knowing this, one can't help but wonder if the segment has room for yet another entry, as solid offerings from so many competitors make it tough for newcomers to gain a foothold. Suzuki sets the Forenza apart with European-inspired styling penned by Italian designer Pininfarina, a roomy interior and a host of standard features.
For power, the Suzuki Forenza offers a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine rated for 127 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. Compare that to the Aerio, which starts only slightly higher up the price ladder than the least expensive Forenza and makes 155 hp. Nevertheless, the Forenza gets around OK when equipped with a manual transmission, but feels underpowered when saddled with the automatic. Refinement is not a particular strong point of this engine, nor is fuel economy. With a mileage estimate of 21 to 31 mpg, the Forenza is one of the thirstiest budget cars on the market. Driving dynamics are another sore spot, as the Suzuki car exhibits sloppy handling and a less composed ride than its competitors. Additionally, wind noise tends to be excessive when cruising on the highway.
Inside, the Forenza comes standard with most of the essential features, and its attractive cabin is among the roomiest in this class. Unfortunately, inconsistent materials quality detracts from the otherwise inviting interior. On the surface, the 2006 Suzuki Forenza looks like a good value. Unfortunately, its acceleration, fuel economy and handling fall well short of the leaders in this segment. Bargain hunters would be wise to put their money on a Spectra instead.
Performance & mpg
The Suzuki Forenza comes with only one engine -- a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder making 127 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy is below average, rating just 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway with the manual and 22/31 with the automatic.
Safety
Front-seat side airbags and four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution is optional. In frontal-impact crash tests, the Suzuki Forenza earned four stars (out of five) from NHTSA, and an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS for frontal-offset safety. In IIHS side-impact tests, it earned a rating of "Poor."
Driving
When equipped with the manual gearbox, the Forenza has little difficulty keeping up in traffic. However, when the Suzuki car is saddled with the automatic transmission, acceleration is weak and highway maneuvers take planning. Compared with other economy cars, the 2006 Suzuki Forenza also comes up short in ride quality. It strives for comfort with its soft suspension, but there's too much movement over bumps and ruts. Handling around corners is sloppy as well, as the suspension allows too much body roll, while cheap tires offer little grip. On the positive side, the Forenza's four-wheel disc brakes provide short stopping distances (although pedal feel and stability are unimpressive).
Interior
To liven things up a bit, designers used plenty of metallic accents throughout the cabin and an attractive set of gauges. Several features not normally found on a car in this price range include cabin air filtration and an eight-speaker, 140-watt stereo with steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The driver seat offers two-way seat-bottom tilt, and most people will be able to find a comfortable driving position. A padded center armrest provides a comfortable place to rest an elbow on long trips. In the backseat, there's plenty of legroom for adults. The rear seat offers a 60/40-split-folding arrangement and sedan trunk capacity comes in at 12.4 cubic feet. The Forenza wagon offers 24.4 cubic feet (61.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded).
2006 Suzuki Forenza models
The Suzuki Forenza is available as a four-door sedan or a four-door wagon in one basic trim level. Standard features include body-color bumpers and door handles, four-wheel disc brakes, a height-adjustable driver seat, a padded center armrest, air conditioning, an eight-speaker stereo with a CD player, steering wheel audio controls and power windows, mirrors and locks. A Premium package available on both body styles adds alloy wheels, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, cruise control and a remote keyless entry system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Suzuki Forenza.
5 star(40%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(18%)
2 star(18%)
1 star(3%)
116 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.25 out of 5 stars
Transmission Bad
complexityiii, 06/14/2015
2006 Suzuki Forenza 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
A Mechanic showed that there had been many warranty claims concerning the transmission. Suggested that I change the transmission in 2015. The car was a 2006 and only had 6200 miles thus I thought he was wrong. Found he was right for at 7200 miles it started not shifting in the lower gears. I had to manually move the automatic shifter into 3rd.
2.5 out of 5 stars
more problems than its worth.
rgunn1, 04/07/2011
2006 Suzuki Forenza 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
While i do like the looks and comfort of this car, and initially thought it was an excellent car, my opinion rapidly changed.
The throttle sensors have gone out twice (at my expensive of course), the check engine light comes on & stays on ''its nothing'' says suzuki who then reset it, only for it to come on a day later.
and now, i have a rattle that they cant give me a straight answer … on. one mechanic says wheel bearings, another said its the transfer case (its front drive and doesnt have a transfer case!!! good job suzuki training your mechanics), another says its the exhaust shielding.
but no one will put
it in writing what the problem is. the car is junk, better off with a bicycle.
1 out of 5 stars
NOTHING BUT TROUBLE!
Conor, 01/26/2016
2006 Suzuki Forenza 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
This car didn't look bad, run bad, but was nothing but problems! The mileage was also not that great. My girlfriend bought this car used before we were dating and it was a total bust. It didn't last her 3 years and died from a bad head gasket or similar at 86,000 miles. I told her it was time to move on once the coolant and exhaust started mixing.
Here is what went … wrong.
-Transmission Range Sensor
-Valve Cover Gasket
-EVAP Purge valve and cylinder
-Struts
-Other sensors I forgot about but this car was the champion of check engine lights.
-HEAD GASKET (This was the nail in the coffin)
5 out of 5 stars
Great vehicle
James Moscato, 04/11/2016
2006 Suzuki Forenza 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Great car if you're going to keep because of low resale. I have
185,000 miles on mine and it runs great. It's a 2006 and has just a little bit of rust by gas cap. I hit a large deer and only damaged the hood and grill.
2006 Forenza Highlights
Sedan
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,799 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $193/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Forenza include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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