The Suzuki Forenza does 22.6 mpg combined (20 city, 28 highway), which works out to about $1,699 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Suzuki Forenza engine, compared
The Suzuki Forenza was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 20 / 28 | 2004–2008 | $1,699 |
What that actually costs
The Suzuki Forenza burns a gallon every 22.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 531 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,699 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,495 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$205 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,760 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Suzuki Forenza gives up 8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28 out there against 20 in town, a 40% drop worth $549 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28 mpg | $1,371 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Forenza changed over the years
The Forenza peaked in 2008 at 23 mpg (20 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2008 car does 23. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Suzuki Forenza — 1 engine across 2004–2008. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,760. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Suzuki Forenza get?
22.6 mpg combined on average — 20 in the city and 28 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2008.
How much does a Suzuki Forenza cost in fuel per year?
About $1,699 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,495 over five years, or 0.142 dollars a mile.
Which Forenza engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 22.6 mpg.
Is the Forenza good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Forenza figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Suzuki Forenza is $2,760 against the $1,699 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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