So the Reno is a good buy from the cranial perspective. How, then, does the rump weigh in? To that end, the interior of the Reno is deceptive: the little car that could actually has ample room inside. Not to be confused with a family car, the Reno is perfect for two people, their stuff – and the occasional car-pooler. Front seats offer plentiful legroom, though it could become an issue if you’re much longer than 6 foot. At probably around 6’3”, ceiling and firewalls begin to introduce themselves. Most of the attention to detail has gone into the front area, and the payoff is there, with nice hip room, elbowroom and plenty of areas to put stuff – though another cupholder/changeholder area would be nice. The center console, between driver and passenger, could be upgraded, but does the job adequately. The back doesn’t enjoy the same attention, however – fewer places to put things such as a water bottle, a cell phone, or other gadgetry. While the quality of the materials is acceptable, the Reno does border on mediocre in a few important areas, namely the seats. They offer less support and structure than is ideal. Front seats seem flimsy from the back toward the front occupants’ backs. Plastics, though, are nicely executed – though more soft touch surfaces would be nice around the driver area. Suzuki’s efforts to reduce noise, vibration and harshness are notable, as the cabin was quiet enough to carry on conversations front and back, as well as listen the radio. With an engine working as hard as that little four-banger inside the Reno works, the calm and quiet inside the cabin is commendable. The hope, of course, is that all vehicles on the road would use the best possible interior materials, and create an environment that is rich in comfort, strong in support, built to last and ergonomically precise. That’s just not realistic. Automakers use a sliding scale of material quality to improve profit margins and increase vehicle content in other areas. Most strive hard to provide the best possible experience within the budgetary constraint they live under, and Suzuki is no exception. Within the context of a long list of standard equipment, Suzuki thinks that their interiors provide a nice and comfortable experience. They’re right, mostly, though improvements such as better seats would help look, feel and value over the long haul.
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