The strategy Suzuki has been applying across the board lately is to have modest-priced cars with immodest equipment levels. The Forenza S starts off the three-level lineup with all the same hardware as the other trims, the same stereo, power windows and locks, tilt steering, and air conditioning for $13,994. For $1,900 more, the LX adds almost everything that the S might be missing: cruise control, keyless entry (with trunk opener), sunroof, fog lights, leather steering wheel and shifter, passenger underseat storage bin, and alloy wheels. The only difference of the $800-higher EX is leather upholstery, though the $800 automatic transmission is mandatory. The sole option available on all models is antilock brakes for $500. Every word here applies to the Forenza wagon, which is always $500 higher than its sedan equivalent.
The most popular Forenza will probably be the automatic LX sedan. Add antilock brakes and you're looking at $17,194. That beats a comparably-equipped Honda Civic EX or Toyota Corolla LE, both of which slide in at just under $19K. But let's be honest about where the Forenza really competes here: probably in the bargain-basement battle with hometown rivals Hyundai and Kia. So let's load em up. A Hyundai Elantra GLS automatic with Accessory Group 6 (cruise control, CD player, antilock brakes, traction control, moonroof) ends up at $16,639. A Kia Spectra EX automatic with antilock brakes, cruise control, moonroof, and alloy wheels ends up at $17,245. So far, the Elantra looks like the marginal winner.
Then there's the matter of warranties. Hyundai and Kia have long been the industry leaders with 5 years/60,000 miles on the basic warranty and 10 years/100,000 on the powertrain. Suzuki scrapes by with only 3 / 36,000 on the former and 7 / 100,000 on the latter. As a side note, both the Elantra and Spectra (they're related) have a more potent engine that the EPA swears uses less fuel, and in case anyone in this price range cares, both cars have been accused of driving better.
If you want higher quality without paying for it, you don't even have to leave the Suzuki showroom. Parked about five feet from the Forenza on any lot sits Suzuki's home-grown Aerio. Dynamically, it's the Forenza's opposite: lame brakes paired with average-to-excellent everything else. The Aerio looks and sounds better, it's more agile, the extra 29 horsepower make it feel like lightning in comparison, its gas mileage is just as good, and you get made-in-Japan security. All for $16,994, similarly equipped - that's less than the Forenza.
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