Affordable, Competent

There are bit players in the U.S. automotive market, and then there is Suzuki Motor Corp.

For every car the Japanese auto maker sells in the U.S., Toyota Motor Corp. sells 25 and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. sells 18. Even Mazda Motor Corp. and late arrival Kia Motors Corp. sell three cars each for every Suzuki delivered, according to Ward's data.

But size may be less important than growth potential, and Suzuki has some encouraging prospects. Its '05 Reno 5-door hatchback and Forenza wagon are competent, well appointed and affordable. Italy's Pininfarina studio designed the wagon, while ItalDesign SpA penned the Reno.

If Suzuki achieves its goal of selling 200,000 cars in the U.S. by the end of 2007, the Reno and Forenza wagon will contribute significantly. Suzuki has sold about 60,000 cars annually in the U.S. for the past several years and expects to close 2004 with about 80,000 U.S. deliveries.

The Reno and Forenza wagon share their platform with the Forenza compact sedan, all three of which are produced by GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co., the South Korean joint venture partially owned by Suzuki.

Both vehicles are loaded with standard features, including side airbags, air conditioning, power locks, power windows, 4-wheel disc brakes, seatbelt pretensioners for front passengers and lumbar-support adjustments.

Suzuki is targeting the Reno for young buyers, particularly college students, so the auto maker smartly equips the car with an 8-speaker audio system that includes a CD player with MP3 playback capability as standard equipment. Sadly, however, the quality of the sound system is lacking.

The top-of-the-line EX trim package for the Reno and Forenza wagon includes leather upholstery and a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Antilock brakes are optional on all models.

Each model makes a favorable impression during a media test drive in California. The cars handle entertainingly and reliably. Steering is precise, and the cabins are quiet.

For entry-level cars, the interiors are stellar, virtually void of high-gloss surfaces. The soft-touch coverstock on the instrument panel of the Reno EX conveys high quality and reflects Suzuki's bid to stylistically emulate the cockpit of the BMW 3-Series. The only drawback to the interior is the cheap looking “rat fur” headliner that seems out of place in an otherwise great cabin.

The other disappointment is underhood. The 2L DOHC 16-valve 4-cyl. is anemic with the automatic gearbox and only slightly more energetic with the 5-speed manual. On paper, Suzuki suggests competitive vehicles include the Ford Focus and the Mazda3 hatchback, but the Focus and Mazda3 have vastly superior powertrains.

But customers will not buy the Reno or Forenza wagon for aggressive driving or weekend racing clubs. They will buy the cars for basic, affordable transportation, and for that the Suzukis are well suited.

Pricing starts at $13,449 for the Reno and peaks at $16,949, leather included. The Forenza wagon is available for $13,949 to $17,449. Add another $545 for destination charges. Suzuki plans to sell 10,000 units of each in the first year of production.

'05 Suzuki Reno EX

Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger 5-door hatchback

Engine: 2L DOHC I-4, iron block/aluminum head

Power (SAE net): 126 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Torque: 131 lb.-ft. (178 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm

Compression ratio: N/A

Bore x stroke (mm): N/A

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 102.4 ins. (260 cm)

Overall length: 169.1 ins. (430 cm)

Overall width: 67.9 ins. (172 cm)

Overall height: 56.9 ins. (145 cm)

Curb weight: 2,783 lbs. (1,263 kg)

EPA fuel economy, city/highway (mpg): 22/30

Market competition: Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent.