Comments on: Suzuki to drop Forenza, Reno

By: LJ

LJ — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:17:30 +0000

Well, it’s Oct 3… and prices are out…. and the SX4 is nearly 18,000 with shipping. Problem is, you can get a similarly equipped Civic(and better MPG, maybe quality, too), Scion tC(more features, larger engine, SAME MPG)…and on and on I could go( no one gets base models these days, with nothing, hardly ever).

I think they are selling Hyundai/Kia quality cars(SX4 Sport, as it is called), at Honda prices= Not a good move, IMHO.

I liked the Reno, but it was sluggish, and 127HP vs 143 like this, and same MPG as the 16HP more SX4.

SX4 does NOT have the following(for nearly 18K msrp).
1) Height adjustable seats( no 6-8 way adjustable seats, like ALL others in this class. Even the Rio and Accent have these seats…just saying).
2) No center console/armrest, to really speak of, others do.
3) no fold down rear seats…others have this feature( and tC has 3 doors, waaay better for hauling stuff, than a sedan, with no fold seats).
4) no Moon/Sun roof!!!!!
tC has it, at this price point. SX4 sedan? Not aavailable at any price/option.
So why buy one?
I hope, if/when they bring out the SX4 hatch, if it is similarly priced, maybe make it Nicer… add adjustable height/lumbar for the seats(or make them optional).
Maybe give us a Reno-like interior(it has more goods in it than this SX4 sedan!!!!!!! and it’s a hatch, and costs less, albeit, it’s GM-DAT.).

People seem to like sun/moon roofs…on 2 door and 3 and 4 and 5 door vehicles….a popular option, in fact.
Folding seat backs are fairly popular with sedan buyers, for a reason(even if this is “Sporty”…no reason to skimp).

I will wait judgement until we haer about the Hatchback..but if they follow course( first the SX4 cuv, in 06, now the sedan in 07), and have no sunroof options…no height adjustable/etc, seating,and bascially, a car(minus abs and extra airbags) no better than the 1994 SE-R(a nice car, For It’s Timee… it’s 2007 Suzuki!!!!!!!!!!!)….
why bother?

thanks. take it easy.

By: Veda

Veda — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:07:30 +0000

The SX-4 is basically half FIAT, the rear suspension handles well and handling is top notch. In the US it feels a bit heavy due to AWD and 2.0 engine but still a very well build car that’s loaded for the price. So they know better than to continue selling Korean crap.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 01:28:58 +0000

THey should drop the Forenza line this year. Why wait? Forenza’s lame duck period begins now. Of course, as a car, it was always lame.

By: Bimmer

Bimmer — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 01:11:01 +0000

For Euro market SX4 are made in Poland together with FIAT Sedici. Basicly the same car with minor cosmetic changes, since it was developed by Suzuki and FIAT.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:59:08 +0000

I think They might. Catch the “Mini” fever at a lower price that tuners will jump at. Those race-tuned Swifts look sweet.

By: autonutt

autonutt — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:54:53 +0000

Dropping the Forenza and Reno seems to be a mistake since the Korean cars are their bread and butter, but on the other hand, selling these trouble-prone Daewoos alongside the Japanese-engineered SX4, XL7 and Vitara has not been good for Suzuki’s reliability ratings and resale values.

I can understand dropping the Forenza, since the similarly-sized and priced SX4 sedan is coming soon to replace it and the Aerio.. but dropping the cheaper Reno makes little sense unless Suzuki plans to bring in a version of their popular Swift to take over its low-price slot.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:17:24 +0000

Isuzu is still around but you are hard pressed to find them. Isuzu is mainly about trucks. If you do see and Isuzu it is likely a commercial truck or a somewhat rare re-bagded GM Colorado/Canyon. The truck market in America has gotten to hot for for smaller players to even make a decent showing.

But Isuzu could make a return with some strong compact or mid-sized trucks and SUVs. A return of the Trooper and their only car, The Impulse, would be pleasing as well.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:58:06 +0000

jJay: is Isuzu still in the U.S. market? They’re quiet.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:46:06 +0000

Make the WRC version and I won’t complain. Build a rally monster like the Escuda/Vitara Pike’s peak machine and I’ll be happy.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:22:59 +0000

Forenza sucks. Suzuki’s doing the right thing. Suzuki sucks (just their autos). Forenza!? Who buys that crap?
The Forenza is probably going to be replaced, probably, by whatever hideous abomination that Suzuki makes out of the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show’s Splash concept anyway.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:13:45 +0000

yeah that makes sense lets kill off our best selling models wow why didnt i think of that

By: jJayC08

jJayC08 — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:20:14 +0000

I seldom see anything about Suzuki anymore, which brings to mind Isuzu too.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:36:21 +0000

carguy: they should just sell bikes in the U.S.

By: 04focus

04focus — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:19:33 +0000

It makes sense, though. the Forenza and Reno are rebadged Daewoos, and the SX4 isn’t.

By: AdamT

AdamT — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:55:48 +0000

Hmm, the SX4 doesn’t look like the Forenza. I guess it looks a little more like the Reno. But it seems odd to pull a car whose looks say “I’m a small sport sedan” (Forenza) and “I’m a small/economy hatchback” (Reno) to replace it with a car whose looks say “I’m a small sport SUV”.

Perhaps the mechanicals of the cars are similar enough that one can say ‘these cars are effectively the same and may be replaced by each other’. But by looking at the sheet metal, I’d say that these cars are not going to be good substitutes for each other in the minds of the consumer.

Bummer, cause I thought the Forenza looked kinda sharp.

By: Carguy5

Carguy5 — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:13:17 +0000

Suzuki should just pull out all together.

By: snork

snork — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:53:16 +0000

Yeah…I was think the same MY Si. Doesn’t seem to make much sense, but I have to say IMHO the SX4 does look better than the 2 it is going to replace. So if the sedan looks half-way decent (for a Suzuki I mean), I can’t see how it would do any worse. It’s not like they’re shooting for the moon w/ trying to move 100k units, LOL. I think right now Suzuki is just trying to position themselves as the new Hyundai of sorts (low cost/decent quality/good warranty).

By: MY Si

MY Si — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:34:07 +0000

now i dont think its a smart idea to pull your best selling cars out of the states to make room for 1 that you dont know how its going to do. I like the Reno. i think they should shorten the production and then see what happens as far as people buying Forenza/Reno to SX4