What's New?
The Reno 5-door hatchback was all new in 2005 and restyled in 2006. For 2007, the Reno lineup is cut to a single trim level.

Overview
The Reno is essentially a 5-door hatchback version of the Suzuki Forenza, and like the Forenza is based on a Korean car called the Daewoo Lacetti, which was designed and launched in 2002. The Reno is sold under several different names in several different countries. It can be found in India as the Chevrolet SRV, in China as the Buick Excelle HRV, and in Canada, Mexico, South America, and most of the Middle East as the Chevrolet Optra.

While most 5-door hatchbacks on the U.S. market are shaped more like small wagons, the Reno is a proper European-style hatchback, similar to the Ford Focus ZX5 and Mazda3 5-door. For 2007, the Reno is available as a single trim level with air conditioning; power windows, locks, and mirrors; a CD/MP3 player; and front-seat-mounted side air bags. A Convenience Package adds remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, and an alarm package; a 4-speed automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes are available as stand-alone options.

Power for the front-wheel-drive Reno comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 127 hp and 131 lb.-ft. of torque. As with other Suzuki models, the Reno comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with roadside assistance as well as a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which can be transferred to a new owner should the car be sold.

The Competition
The Suzuki Reno competes in the Compact Basic segment, which consists of eight models. Buyers in this segment look for fuel economy, reliability, and low maintenance costs, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Toyota Yaris (70,308 units sold), Chevrolet Aveo (58,244), and Hyundai Accent (34,735). The Suzuki Reno sold 5,896 units in 2006, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Compact Basic segment include the Scion xA Kia Rio, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Suzuki SX4 .