Driving the Forenza reminded me of walking through Wal-Mart and marveling at how cheap everything is: a CD boom box for $29, DVD players for $49. Suzuki's version of the low-cost revolution is an economy car packed with electronics and other features that not long ago were off limits to bargain hunters. For a base price barely above $13,000, you get power doors and windows, heated power mirrors, and a CD player with eight speakers. There are upscale mechanical features too: 15-inch tires, disk brakes, and four-wheel independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars for a smooth and stable ride. Some of these features aren't available, or they cost extra, on competitors like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic—each of which is priced several hundred dollars higher than the Forenza.

But is the Forenza a good car? Or is it just a collection of cheap technology? On this question I am ambivalent. The Forenza has a solid posture on the road that helps build confidence. The steering is tuned for a fairly tight, controlled grip on the pavement. The doors feel heavy, contributing to the impression that this car is more substantial than a mere econobox. But the four-cylinder, 126-horsepower engine whines when pressed. The gate shifter feels rickety. And I had a problem with the alarm system, which kept setting itself off when I tried to lock the car from the inside and then close the door. A faulty microprocessor? Or a foolish driver? Either way, I'd prefer a car that lets me make a few mistakes without announcing it to the entire neighborhood.

Still, the Forenza's value proposition, as my M.B.A. friends like to say, is compelling. I spent a week driving the Forenza EX, the top-tier model, which clocks in at about $16,500. It had most of the features I could have asked for, including leather upholstery, a sunroof with a glare screen, and fingertip controls for the radio on the steering wheel. My heart didn't love it, but my head kept repeating what a good deal the Forenza seemed to be. The engine is no barnburner but is peppy enough. The styling is lackluster but inoffensive. And to allay concerns about quality, Suzuki offers one of the most generous warranties on the market, covering the powertrain for seven years or 100,000 miles. I'm not sure that would persuade me to pick a Forenza over vehicles with proven durability, like the Corolla or Civic, but it might get me into the showroom. And once there, I might do what I do at Wal-Mart: start buying stuff just because it seems too cheap to pass up.