2005 Suzuki Forenza Trims and Specs

Your basic economy subcompact sedan, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza S still comes with a lot of unexpected features for a budget car. A 2.0-liter, 126-hp I4 with 131 lb-ft of torque powers the front-wheel drive sedan, matched to either a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Equipped with a fully independent suspension and 15-inch steel wheels, the 2005 Forenza S gets new front-side airbags to go along with the dual front ones. Other safety features include daytime running lights. ABS brakes are optional.

Full power features, including power mirrors are standard, along with wheel-mounted audio controls for the CD/cassette combo player, air conditioning, intermittent wipers, heated mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, tachometer, and front and overhead storage consoles. There are no options for the 2005 Forenza S aside from the ABS brakes. Trunk space in the sedan is just over 12 cubic feet. Drivers are impressed with the standard features in a base model and like the reliability (though there have been reports of a persistent check engine light) and value of the 2005 Forenza S, but they are disappointed with the 22/30 fuel economy and some engine noise.

Introduced for 2005, the Suzuki Forenza S Wagon adds more cargo versatility for individuals or families on a budget. The compact wagon seats four, with a 24 cubic foot trunk that expands to 62 cubic feat with the rear seats folded down (they split-fold 60/40). Roof rails are also included. Front and rear independent suspension and 15-inch steel wheels carry the front-wheel drive wagon, while a 2.0-liter, 126-hp I4 engine and 5-speed manual transmission propel it forward. A 4-speed automatic is optional, along with ABS brakes. Dual front and front-side airbags come standard.

Like its sedan counterpart, the 2005 Forenza S Wagon is nicely equipped with fully power features (windows, locks, mirrors), a CD and cassette player with wheel-mounted controls, tilt steering wheel, intermittent front wipers and a rear wiper, tachometer, heated mirrors, and daytime running lights. There are also storage consoles in the front and overhead. Owners appreciate the standard roof rack and the large cargo area in a compact wagon, and say the ride is comfortable. An underpowered engine is noisy when revving, and drivers report problems with an notchy transmission. The 22/30 mpg is not stellar for this class of car.

For a compact economy sedan, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza LX sure has a lot of people fooled. An affordable first-time car, it upgrades from the base in a significant way, adding a sunroof, cruise control, leather trim, foglights, and a security system to the already standard power windows, locks, and mirrors, heated mirrors, intermittent wipers, tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, and wheel-mounted audio controls for the CD/cassette player. New this year are dual front-side airbags to go with the dual front airbags.

Other safety features include daytime running lights and 15-inch alloy wheels. The front=wheel drive sedan has a four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes, with ABS brakes available. Engine power comes from a 2.0-liter, 126-hp, 16-valve I4 that delivers 131 lb-ft of torque and gets around 22/30 mpg. Transmission choices are a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. There are no further options for the 2005 Forenza LX. Owners rave how the styling, interior space, and standard features surpass economy car expectations, but they're disappointed with gas mileage, horsepower, and a jerky auto tran.

Though the base model S comes well equipped at a low price, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza LX wagon adds a few more features into the mix, turning its new compact wagon into a comfortable starter car. Seating four comfortably, with 60/40 split-folding rear seats that expand the 24 cubic foot trunk to 62 cubic feet, the 2005 Forenza LX Wagon adds cruise control, a sunroof, foglights, a security system, and leather trim to the steering wheel and shifter. Power is supplied by a 126-hp, 2.0-liter I4 engine and standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, and dual front and front-side airbags are standard. 4-wheel ABS brakes can be added.

The front-wheel drive wagon is nearly the roomiest in its class, and a standard roof rack provides more storage space. Other features include wheel-mounted audio controls for the combo CD/cassette player, intermittent front wipers and a rear wiper, a tachometer, tilt steering wheel, a full power setup including heated power mirrors, and manually adjustable height and lumbar settings for the front seats. Drivers praise the roominess, cargo space, and the long list of features included in an affordable sticker price for the 2005 Forenza LX Wagon, but there are issues with a jerky automatic transmission and the low fuel economy.

Leather seats and added leather trim for the doors are the main upgrades when you move to top-end 2005 Suzuki Forenza EX. The front-wheel drive compact sedan seats four, with a 12 cubic foot trunk and rear seats that split-fold. A folding armrest reveals two cupholders, as well. As with the other trims, the EX gets front-side airbags along with the existing dual front bags, earning good-to-average crash test results. A 2.0-liter, 126-hp I4 and 4-speed auto tran is the only powertrain offered. A fully independent suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, and foglights are all standard, and 4-wheel ABS can be added.

Other nice features for a budget starter car include a sunroof, a full power setup, heated mirrors, cruise control, wheel-mounted controls for the CD/cassette player, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, a security system, tachometer, rear window wiper, and leather trim on the wheel and shifter. There are no options available. the biggest problems have been with the transmission, and owners also don't like the road noise and 22/30 mpg. Handling, interior space, and a great bang for your buck are major positives.

As the top end trip in the Suzuki Forenza Wagon lineup, the 2005 Forenza EX Wagon adds leather seats and more leather interior trim on the doors (to go with that on the steering wheel and shifter), delivering an upscale feel to an otherwise budget compact car. The front-wheel drive wagon is fueled by a 126-hp, 2.0-liter I4 and 5-speed manual, with an option for a 4-speed automatic. Riding on 15-inch alloy wheels, it comes standard with dual front and front-side airbags, daytime running lights, foglights, and 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS brakes are optional.

Along with the added luxuries, you'll find wheel-mounted audio controls for a cassette/CD combo player (nice touch for old-school drivers), full power features, heated mirrors, intermittent wipers and a rear window wiper, a tachometer, security system, cruise control, and keyless entry. Rear seats split 60/40 to expand the trunk from 24 to 62 cubic feet, and there are storage consoles and a standard roof rack. The trunk area also features hidden storage compartments. The 2005 Forenza EX Wagon packs in a lot of features for what you pay, and the interior space and warranty rate high with drivers. Slow acceleration, weak engine power, and low fuel economy are the biggest complaints.