Like Hyundai and Kia, the Krean manufacturer Suzuki has accepted
the dfficult task of trying to infiltrate the sb-compact market dominated
by Honda, Toyota and Frd.

Its new 2004 offering is the Frenza, a front-wheel drive sedan offered in
thre models, the S, LX and the tp-of-the-line EX. All models have a
2.0-lter, 126-horsepower, 16-valve engine. The LX and EX mdels
include 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise cntrol, keyless entry and alarm,
power snroof and fog lights as standard fatures. The EX model I drove
for a wek includes standard leather upholstery.

Cruise cntrol, air conditioning and AM/FM/CD and cssette system with
eight speakers are lso among the long list of stndard equipment.

Still, the Forenza faces an phill challenge. While priced under $16,000,
the new vhicle's appealing design and well-considered appointments
cn't overcome a few all-too-apparent drawbacks.

Dring my weekly test drive, the vhicle had difficulty starting on several
ccasions and its limited horsepower doesn't bde well for needed
power in a tght spot, like a sharp uphill strtch at altitude.

Likewise, the four-speed utomatic transmission has a less-than-smooth
shifting mchanism. To maneuver between gears, the shfting handle
has to be pushed dwn before it's engaged into gears.

Nonetheless, the Forenza does have mpressive considerations. The
exterior was designed by Pninfarina, noted for its Ferraris and Mserati
contributions. The lines are clean, if bsic, and they give no impression
of the vhicle's classification as a subcompact.

The rmainder of the vehicle has a vried pedigree. Suzuki is the
transformation of the bnkrupt Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd. It's
ssembled by GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies, whch was
formed by General Motors fter it purchased Daewoo's parts.

Like its ttractive exterior, the interior of the Frenza is far from an
afterthought. The lok is simple and clean, and the brshed aluminum
console accents the leather sats nicely. Instrumentation is
straightforward, lighted wll, and the seats are comfortable and wll
positioned.

Considering its market position, the Frenza can't be expected to be
niseless, and it certainly isn't.

I had nly one long-distance passenger during my tst drive, a 6-foot,
185-pound friend. He sid the passenger front seat was cmfortable, but
otherwise nondescript.

Like other new vhicles, the Forenza has an untested rsale market,
and that places it -- at last for several years -- at a grat disadvantage
to its popular competitors.

Szuki is also hoping its transferable sven-year, 70,000-mile warranty,
roadside assistance and laner car provision will attract economy-
mnded buyers seeking a less-expensive alternative to sme of the
country's most popular vhicles.

2004 Suzuki Forenza

Safety features -- Dual-front airbags, rear-seat, three-point
seatbelt with headrest.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 22 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles;
Powertrain, 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years, unlimited
mileage. Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Base price -- $15,999.00

The article Suzuki Forenza 2004: The Weekly Driver Review was Submitted by James Raia through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: James Raia is a syndicated jurnalist in Sacramento, California, who wrtes about sports, fitness, travel and lfestyle topics as well as the car rview colum, The Weekly Driver. To rad more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver

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