Suzuki Reno Review

2008 Suzuki Reno Hatchback

No matter how you slice it, the Suzuki Reno is basically a Suzuki Forenza wagon with a slightly more stylish body. It shares that car's basic architecture, engine and transmission. A four-door compact hatchback, the Reno offers all the flexibility and cargo-hauling ability of a small wagon but with a slightly more stylish body. The net result is an affordable car with plenty of interior space and lots of features. Don't expect class-leading performance, however, as the Reno lags behind the competition in virtually every driving-related category -- even fuel economy.

Current Suzuki Reno

The Suzuki Reno debuted for the 2005 model year. With its emphasis on value, the Reno's long list of standard features quickly takes center stage. Many modern compact cars come standard with power door locks and windows, a tilt wheel and other convenience features, but the Reno goes a little further by offering such features as a micron air-filtration system for the cabin, a four-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability and a height- and lumbar-adjustable driver seat -- all without checking a single box on the options list.

Clearly the car is an excellent value, even more so if you're looking for an affordable used car. Still, "excellent value" doesn't exactly bring to mind comfort or power. While the EX trim level is loaded and includes features like leather seats, remote keyless entry and cruise control, the Reno in any trim offers barely adequate performance, particularly in the acceleration department, with the Reno's subpar fuel economy adding insult to injury. Handling is also less than spectacular, as Suzuki has endowed the Reno with a soft, smooth ride at the expense of cornering ability. However, this is a trade-off that the average consumer will likely appreciate.

Because the 127-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is working so hard to keep up, a good deal of engine noise makes its way into the cabin. Competitors like the Mazda 3 are more refined and quicker by comparison.

The Reno's interior comes up short as well when compared to other domestic and import-branded small cars. The materials are low quality, and many panels simply don't fit correctly. Though the Reno's long powertrain warranty is a bonus, it's not really enough to overcome the car's faults. We suggest that shoppers looking for an inexpensive hatchback skip the Reno and check out more viable choices.

The Suzuki Reno has undergone a few changes since its '05 debut. 2006 brought the addition of a standard tilt steering wheel and new seat fabrics, while '07 saw the inclusion of a standard tire pressure monitoring system for all trim levels. Unfortunately for audiophiles, the formerly standard eight-speaker stereo was dropped altogether for '08, leaving a meager four-speaker unit in its stead.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.