What a difference a couple of years makes. Attitudes change. So for at least awhile, forget about monster motors and big trucks. These days I joyfully sing the praises of compact cars. In this week’s column the lyrics celebrate one of the least expensive cars on the planet: the Suzuki Reno. For 2008 this four-door hatchback boasts a generous list of standard features, a long warranty term and a small, fuel-efficient engine.Under the hood there’s a 127-horsepower 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder motor. The block is cast iron, the cylinder head aluminum and it’s populated with 16 valves. The compression ratio is a slighter higher than normal 9.6 to one, but regular gas burns just fine. I was especially pleased to see the car meets Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II standards (ULEV-II) , which means Reno is not only economical to operate, but also its exhaust emissions are easier on the environment. More good news, Reno’s onboard diagnostic have been improved, making it easier for technicians to diagnose problems.
Standard equipment is a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. Acceleration is noticeably strong with the manual transmission. With the manual transmission the EPA suggests mileage will be in the range of 20 mpg city and 28 highway, and with the automatic figured to be slightly lower at 19/28.
Handling manners are more than adequate for a car of this class. Reno is a reasonably nimble handler. Though I could feel a hint of body roll when deep into a turn. Speed sensitive steering is standard. Ride quality is not as good as it would be with a bigger car. Understandably that’s because of the shorter wheelbase, less expensive suspension components (plain vanilla McPherson struts) and economy car tires (195/55R15). You can’t have it both ways. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard equipment while antilock brakes are optional and include electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).
Reno seats five total, with two up front and three in the back. Keeping in mind this is a small car destined to be driver by all different size drivers, the driver seat features height and lumbar-support adjustments, along with an adjustable headrest. Getting comfortable will be no problem. Visibility is better than average, although the rear headrests interfere at least a little with the over-the-shoulder view. Back seat passengers will enjoy adequate leg- and shoulder room so long as the front seats aren't set too far back. Entry and egress are good. The fold-down center armrest is a nice touch.
Cargo capacity is modest with the rear seats deployed. But fold them down and you can take full advantage of the hatchback. Cargo space literally quadruples. Upholstery is cloth. During the test drive I was pleased to notice how well insulated the interior is against noise intrusion. Don’t misunderstand. Accelerate hard and you will hear the engine roar. At highway speeds you will notice wind rush. But sound levels are low enough to live with, especially considering the car’s price point.
The 2008 Suzuki Reno comes in but one trim level. Standard items include heated side mirrors, air-conditioning with cabin air filtration, a tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, intermittent front wipers, rear wipers, dual sun visors with vanity mirrors, and a four-speaker AM/FM with CD and MP3.
For safety sake Reno boasts an advanced design dual stage front airbag supplemental restraint system, advanced weight-sensing front airbag, plus driver and passenger front side airbags. Both the driver and front passenger seats feature three-point safety belts fitted with pre-tensioners and height-adjustable shoulder belts. Rear seats have three-point seatbelts and headrests for all three passengers. A LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat system and child-safety rear door locks are standard.
But what I like best about this small car is the fact that it’s built with front and rear crumple zones and guard beams in the doors. So in unlikely event of a crash these components will absorb energy, reducing injuries. Want proof? In the car’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the 2008 Suzuki Reno earned an Acceptable (second-highest) rating for frontal-offset crash protection.
Naturally, there are options. I found the Convenience Package to be a tantalizing possibility. It adds the previously mentioned automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, audio controls on the steering-wheel hub, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, cruise control and a security alarm.
Finally, the real eyebrow raiser is the fully transferable powertrain warranty term that runs for seven years or 100,000 miles. Corrosion protection runs for three years with no limit on mileage. While the bumper to bumper warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles.
Wheelbase - 102.4 inches
Engine - 2.0L I-4
Horsepower - 127@ 5600 rpm
Transmission - 4-speed automatic
Fuel capacity - 14.5 gallons
Curb weight - 2745 pounds
Mileage - 20/28 mpg
Base price- $13,599
As tested - $13,999
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