New Suzuki SX4: A Sport X-over for All Seasons

Suzuki's brand new SX4 is a distinctive 5-door hatchback that blends the characteristics of sporty compacts exemplified by the Swift, with those of lightweight SUVs such as the recently launched Grand Vitara, to create an exciting small car alternative.

The resulting ‘sport X-over’ combines responsive driving dynamics, 4x4 capability, high levels of practicality and styling that suggests a freestyle approach to life.

The initial UK line-up comprises three models powered by a 107 PS 1.6 litre VVT petrol engine: a front-wheel drive model in either GL or GLX grades and the 4GRIP GLX with selectable/automatic four-wheel drive. They will be joined later in the year by a 120 PS 1.9 litre DDiS diesel derivative which uses a highly flexible engine supplied by Fiat.

Following Swift and Grand Vitara, the SX4 represents Suzuki’s third global strategic model. It also forms the basis for its new World Rally Championship challenger (see separate press release issued today, Tuesday, February 28).

The all-new SX4 is the result of a joint development agreement between Suzuki and Fiat Auto S.p.A., with Suzuki taking the initiative for the project management from concept to mass production. SX4 models sold in Europe are built at Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary where 60,000 units will be produced during 2006, 40,000 for Suzuki’s European markets and 20,000 for Fiat.

UK sales commence in early April with the diesel derivative joining the line-up in the summer alongside a 4-speed automatic option for the 1.6 GLX.

Expressive, confident exterior

· Dynamism of SUVs and the elegance of passenger cars

· GL and GLX grades


The Suzuki SX4 is styled to look good in any setting. Fusing the dynamism of SUVs with the elegance of passenger cars resulted in poise and presence beyond the model's compact size. A flowing form, which is elegant in its simplicity, sits atop a purposefully dynamic and substantial underlying structure. A low, rising waistline

and large, triangular windows ahead of the front doors give rise to a characteristic sporty wedge shape indicative of dynamic performance, while the pronounced wheelarches and wide tracks help create an appearance of stability and traction. The compelling design suggests potential unseen in conventional compacts and is pure Suzuki in nature: exciting, multi-dimensional, and, visually, highly appealing.

Two distinct model grades enable customers to find the Suzuki SX4 right for them. GLX and 4GRIP models are distinctly SUV in appearance with alloy wheels, wheel arch extensions, side protection mouldings, side under protection mouldings and front and rear skid plates. The GL grade emphasises the passenger car characteristics with fewer SUV elements.

Bold and refined interior

· "X-over" interior combines boldness and refinement

The "X-over" design continues inside. Soothing curves and forms gently wrap around the occupants and add to the quality look and feel of the materials and fabrics. Circular motifs and a flowing centre panel – used to critical acclaim in other Suzuki models – hint at the car's dynamic performance and an active lifestyle.

The two-tone interior is predominantly black highlighted with metallic coloured accents and wedge-shaped motifs, for a look that is both refined and aggressive. The ergonomic design of the instrument panel affords intuitive use of key meters and controls. The large three-dial cluster provides important information at a glance and echoes the metallic, circular motifs of the side air outlets and other controls, bringing cohesion to the overall dynamism.

The centre panel houses an audio system, climate control dials, and other amenities in a striking example of functionality and format. The large dials of the optional fully automatic air conditioner have ring lights, which make them easier to see and use while adding to the interior's refined feel. Both the standard air conditioning (automatic on GLX models) and audio system are flush with the surface in keeping with the sophistication and quality levels.

Balance of form and function

· Designed for enhanced visibility, access, and comfort

The Suzuki SX4 comfortably accommodates up to five people and their luggage needs, while retaining its sleek and stylish look. The 4x4 models have exterior length-width-height dimensions of 4,140 mm x 1,755 mm x 1,620 mm (4x2 models: 4,100 mm x 1,730 mm x 1,565 mm (1605 mm with roof rails). The efficient dimensions and a minimum turning radius of 5.3 metres help drivers to negotiate narrow urban streets with relative ease and park in spots too small for bigger SUVs.

The roomy interior offers plenty of legroom and shoulder room, even for the rear passengers. Nonetheless, comfort is taken to a higher level without relying solely on space. The seats' configuration and positioning afford natural seating postures, a key factor in comfortable long-distance travel. Additionally, ideal seat heights, large door openings, and high ground clearance ease access. The rear seats are slightly higher, so even the rear occupants enjoy a liberating field of vision.

The rear seats are split 60:40 to enable stowage of long items while still seating one or two rear passengers. They can be tumbled forward to create an almost fully flat load floor. Boot capacity is 270 litres (VDA), which increases to 625 litres (VDA) when the rear seats are folded.

Discreet storage compartments throughout the cabin add further convenience. All doors have large pockets and large bottle holders.

Pure driving exhilaration

· First in its class to offer a combination of a 4x4 system, 6MT, and diesel engine

The Suzuki SX4 was engineered from the outset to be 4x4-capable yet still deliver sharp, dynamic performance. The DNA of sporty compacts comes through in the form of responsive driving dynamics and comfortable long-distance travel, while Suzuki's extensive experience in 4x4 technology comes out in all-wheel traction more than adequate for everyday situations. Of note, the Suzuki SX4 is the first car in the class that features a combination of a 4x4 system, six-speed manual transmission, and diesel engine.

Engines and transmissions

· 1.6 litre petrol and, later, 1.9 litre diesel derivatives

· Standard diesel particulate filter for diesel models

· Close ratio 6MT brings out the diesel engine's full potential

Advanced powerplant and drivetrain technologies enable fun, dynamic performance in any environment. SX4 is initially launched in the UK with a 107 PS 1.6 litre VVT (variable valve timing) petrol engine, with a 120 PS 1.9 litre Fiat DDiS diesel engine joining the line-up during the summer.

As well as VVT, the petrol engine also features drive by wire throttle control for good drivability and response. It powers the 4x2 models from 0 to 62 mph in 10.8 seconds and the 4GRIP model in 11.2 seconds. 4x2 models can also stretch a gallon of fuel to cover 41 miles in the Combined cycle, while the SX4 4GRIP achieves a comparable figure of 39.8 mpg.

The 1.9-litre intercooled turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine boasts a flat torque curve guaranteeing powerful acceleration and smooth performance throughout the rev range. Its common-rail direct-injection system helps cut down emissions, while making the engine one of the most powerful in the class. The engine generates 120 PS at 3,500 rpm and 280 Nm torque at 2,000 rpm. A diesel particulate filter is fitted as standard.

Both engines comply with Euro 4 regulations.

A six-speed manual transmission newly developed by Suzuki is paired to the diesel engine, its close-ratio set up allowing the engine’s potential to be fully realised. Of note, the Suzuki SX4 will be the only car in its class to feature the combination of diesel, 6MT and 4x4. The petrol engine is equipped with a five-speed manual.

i-AWD (intelligent All Wheel Drive)

· 3-mode 4x4 system with Electric Control Coupling Device

The signature feature of the Suzuki SX4 4GRIP GLX model is its i-AWD switchable three-mode 4x4 system. An Electric Control Coupling Device provides 4WD-Auto, 4WD-Lock, and 2WD modes to deliver superb traction and a reassuring sense of security when grip deteriorates.

Under normal driving conditions while in 4WD-Auto mode, there is no torque transfer to the rear, and the SX4 4GRIP effectively operates as a front-wheel drive vehicle. However, as soon as there is pronounced front wheel slip, torque is automatically apportioned to the rear wheels to produce all-wheel traction so enhancing stability. The 4WD-Lock mode is maintained up to around 40 mph for full traction, before automatically switching over to the 4WD-Auto mode for smooth cruising. The 2WD mode offers excellent fuel economy.

Chassis

· Optimally matched suspension and a body with high levels of bending and torsional rigidity

· Wide track and large tyres for stable performance and ride

· Fine-tuning of suspension and brakes conducted in Europe

The Suzuki SX4 provides crisp, predictable handling that should more than satisfy European driving tastes. This has been achieved by carefully matching the suspension characteristics to the highly rigid platform.

The body has evolved from the fundamental design that helped carry the Suzuki Swift to numerous awards throughout the world, including Car magazine’s Car of the Year. Its high levels of bending and torsional rigidity and reinforced suspension mounts allow the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to perform to their full potential. Wide 1,500 mm tracks (1,495 mm for 4x4 models) and large 205/60R16 tyres help add to the already stable ride feeling.

Ventilated front discs and leading-and-trailing rear drums actuated by a 10-inch booster provide sure stopping power and a brake feel that many will appreciate.
Extensive fine-tuning of the chassis was conducted in Europe to ensure the type of performance Europeans demand and need.

Reassuring safety

The Suzuki SX4 has an extensive array of safety features engineered to inspire confidence. Active safety features include an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which is standard on all models.

Overall SX4 has an outstandingly crashworthy structure which has been awarded 4 Stars for occupant protection by Euro NCAP. It features extensive use of high tensile steel and tailored blanks to achieve strength without the penalty of added weight.

Passive safety features start with the commanding driving position that provides a wide field of vision and a reinforced body that provides class-leading levels of protection. Front and rear crush zones absorb impact energy, while the frame design directs much of the impact energy away from the highly reinforced cabin.

The Suzuki SX4 is also designed to provide high levels of protection for pedestrians and smaller passengers, measures which have received 3 Star Euro NCAP pedestrian and child protection ratings respectively, particularly impressive for a compact car.

Other standard safety features include: a front airbag system and front 3-point seat belts with pretensioners and force-limiters, side and curtain airbags, 3-point ELR (emergency locking retractor) rear seatbelts, ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors, and a high-mount stop lamp.

Suzuki Reno

When the Reno debuted as a 2005 model, Suzuki said its new crossover hatchback was aimed at "versatility-seeking buyers of all ages." Suzuki claimed the Reno delivered "the style and sportiness of a European sedan" with the functionality of a five-door hatchback.

Offered in a single trim level for 2007, the five-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback was designed by Italdesign in Italy. The Reno's option packages have been revised, and a tire pressure monitoring system and all-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are now standard.

Reno competitors include the Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 and Toyota Matrix. Suzuki also stresses the Reno's customization potential.

Exterior
Compact in size, the Reno hatchback has almond-shaped headlights that flank a grille sporting the Suzuki logo. What Suzuki calls "muscular" wheel arches surround 15-inch steel wheels. Wraparound taillights bring up the rear.

Suzuki highlights the Reno's "gracefully rising style lines and athletically refined side profile." The door handles are color-keyed, and the car has protective bodyside moldings. Heated power mirrors are standard, and a power moonroof is available. Built on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, the Reno is 169.1 inches long overall and 56.9 inches tall.

Interior
Suzuki says the five-occupant Reno has more front and rear legroom than the Mazda3 or Matrix. Three head restraints are fitted to a 60/40-split, folding rear seat. Standard seating surfaces in the two-tone interior are cloth-upholstered.

Speed-sensitive power steering is standard, and the driver's seat has height and lumbar adjustments. Cargo capacity when the backseat is upright measures 8.8 cubic feet, expanding to a maximum of 45.4 cubic feet.

Standard equipment includes an eight-speaker cassette/CD stereo, air conditioning, a rear-window defroster, and power windows, locks and heated mirrors. Suzuki's Convenience Package adds a CD/MP3 stereo with steering-wheel controls, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a moonroof.

Under the Hood
Suzuki's 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 127 horsepower and 131 pounds-feet of torque. Either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission can be installed.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are now standard, as are seat-mounted side-impact airbags.

Driving Impressions
Manual-shift Renos provide spirited performance. Well-matched gear ratios and a mannerly clutch make smooth takeoffs easy.

Nimble around town, the Reno zips around corners with zest. The ride is surprisingly pleasant even on lumpy city streets. Other than very slight engine buzz when accelerating at low speeds, the Reno is quiet. The brakes have a spongy feel, and the gearshift is a bit rubbery.

Front-seat space is abundant. The outer rear seats are adequate but snug, and the center rear position is a high, hard perch — though it's not the worst in a small car. The gauges are simple but adequate, and the radio controls are hard to decipher. Head restraints partially block the rearward view. Cargo space is essentially a covered well.

Suzuki Forenza

The Forenza, which targets value-oriented buyers, was partially designed by Pininfarina in Italy. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder is rated at 127 horsepower, and rivals include the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

Seat-mounted side-impact airbags were installed in all models for 2005. Fresh front-end styling, a new wheel design and a revised interior marked the 2006 Forenza. For 2007, a tire pressure monitoring system and warning light come standard, and remote keyless entry with remote trunk release is optional.

A Forenza Wagon joined the sedan for the 2005 model year.

Exterior
Suzuki touts the Forenza's "gracefully curved roofline and uniquely free-flowing silhouette," noting that it provides maximum visibility. Clear, oversized taillamps complement European-style dual cylindrical halogen headlights, and the side molding is color-keyed.

The Forenza features pull-out door handles, and fog lamps are available. Speed-sensitive power steering and all-disc brakes are installed. Measuring 177.2 inches long overall, the Forenza rides a 102.4-inch wheelbase and stands 56.9 inches tall. Steel or aluminum wheels hold 15-inch tires.

Interior
Up to five occupants can fit inside the Forenza. The instruments are rimmed with metallic silver accents, and the panel emits a jade-green glow for night driving. Equipped with three head restraints, the 60/40-split rear seats fold flat.

Height and lumbar support adjustments for the driver and a tilt steering wheel are included. The padded front center armrest contains a storage compartment. Trunk space totals 12.4 cubic feet.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning with micron air filtration, heated mirrors, and power windows and locks. A standard in-dash cassette/CD stereo system includes eight speakers. Suzuki's Premium Package adds cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and antilock brakes.

Under the Hood
The Forenza's 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 127 hp at 5,600 rpm and 131 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission can be installed. A "hold" button for the automatic prevents gear hunting in hilly terrain.

Safety
Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are included in the Premium Package. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags are standard. Each rear occupant gets a three-point seat belt.

Forenza Wagon
Late in 2004, a Forenza Wagon joined the original sedan in Suzuki's lineup. Like the sedan, the wagon uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that develops 127 hp and 131 pounds-feet of torque. Cargo space totals 24.4 cubic feet.

All-disc brakes, side-impact airbags, roof rails, air conditioning, an eight-speaker cassette/CD stereo and a 60/40-split, folding rear seat are standard. Wagons can be equipped with the optional Premium Package.

Except for a couple of ergonomic annoyances, including the steering-wheel radio controls, the Forenza Wagon is enjoyable to drive. Performance with the automatic transmission is satisfactory — even a touch spirited — though acceleration yields typical small-car engine blare.

Ride comfort is quite nice and generally smooth even in the city, with few unpleasant motions. Steering and handling are typical compact-car, but visibility is excellent. The seats are comfortable, and there's plenty of space in the front. Backseat room isn't bad, either. Cargo space is ample, and items are easy to load
There's more to the story of the Suzuki Forenza -- a competent, attractive little sedan at a very affordable price -- than you might think.

You know Suzuki as a Japanese company, but you might not know that it's a partner of General Motors. And you likely remember Daewoo as a Korean company that went bankrupt. General Motors rescued Daewoo, and the company still builds cars in Korea, but they are sold here under different names, such as the Chevrolet Aveo. But since Chevrolet couldn't take all of Daewoo's production, GM leaned on Suzuki to take the compact Forenza, the larger Verona and the smaller Reno, which is sort of a hatchback version of the Forenza. The Verona is gone, but the Forenza remains.

That isn't quite all: The Forenza's Italian name isn't that much of a stretch, as well-regarded Italian design company Pininfaria did most of the Forenza's styling.

So we have a Korean car, with an Italian name, built by a company controlled by General Motors, sold by a Japanese brand. And did I mention the engine is from Australia?

Though the Forenza's passport may be more interesting than the Forenza itself, this is a nicely executed car, as it has been since it was introduced as a 2004 model. It received a mild update in 2006, though only members of the Forenza Fan Club could tell the difference, assuming there even is a Forenza Fan Club.

The test model was the Forenza sedan -- a wagon has been offered since 2005 -- with quite a bit of equipment, considering the sub-$16,000 sticker price. Standard features included air conditioning, disc brakes, side air bags, a good eight-speaker stereo with a CD player, a tilt steering wheel, heated mirrors, and power windows and locks. Remote keyless entry added $150, and cruise control cost $200. The transmission was a four-speed automatic.

The Forenza's only engine choice is a 2.0-liter, 127-horsepower four-cylinder, EPA-rated at 22 miles per gallon city, 31 mpg on the highway. If you are willing to shift for yourself, the Forenza is offered with a five-speed manual transmission for $1,000 less. With the automatic, cruise control, remote entry and shipping, the test Forenza listed for $15,944. Suzuki sweetens the deal with a limited seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that is transferable, as well as roadside assistance and a loaner-car program.

The real appeal of the Forenza is the packaging. The cloth-covered front seats are more comfortable and supportive than you would expect in an inexpensive car. Rear seats are very roomy for a car this size -- four 6-foot adults fit pretty well in a Forenza, and taller rear-seat passengers will run out of headroom before they run out of legroom. The trunk is plenty big, too.

On the road, the Forenza's ride isn't as quiet as a Toyota Corolla's, but it's comparably smooth. Handling is limited by the smallish 15-inch tires. The engine and transmission aren't up to the best Japanese standards, but they aren't bad at all.

Given the price, and the likelihood that a Suzuki dealer might be more willing to deal on a Forenza than a Honda dealer will on a Civic, this is a nice car for a single person or a small family. It's large enough to feel like a real car on the highway, but they're small enough to get good fuel mileage. You could do much worse.

Suzuki SX4

The 2007 Suzuki SX4 takes over for the Suzuki Aerio SX as the most affordable all-wheel-drive car sold in the U.S. It derives from an established overseas model, the Swift, and boasts a generous list of standard safety features.

Exterior
Despite a roomy interior and good safety ratings, the quirky-looking Aerio SX four-door hatchback never caught on in the U.S. The SX4 is a less distinctive but more athletic looking little four-door, five-seat hatchback that should compete well with the current crop of subcompact and compact cars. Its 16-inch alloy wheels help the SX4 look like more than an econobox.

Interior
The SX4's interior improves somewhat over that of the Aerio, with more variation in the color pallet. The backseat is more than workable for an adult, both in headroom and legroom. The backseat is split, 60/40, and can be both folded flat and tumbled forward to free cargo space. Even with the backseat raised, the cargo volume is a respectable 9.5 cubic feet — 22 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Under the Hood
The SX4 uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual; a four-speed automatic is optional. All-wheel drive is standard with either gearbox. Suzuki estimates the gas mileage as 24/29 mpg (city/highway) with the manual transmission and 24/30 mpg with the automatic.

Safety
The SX4's safety feature complement includes four-wheel-disc antilock brakes; frontal, side impact and side curtain-type airbags; and, with the optional Premium package, an electronic stability system.
The 2007 Suzuki SX4 AWD is a small hatchback station wagon designed for urban commuting. But we also drove it long distances on the highway, where its performance was competent, but less than thrilling.

Still, my assistant, Ria Manglapus, and I gave it thumbs-up.

"It's a fun little car," said Ria, who was able to fit her two sons and mother into the SX4 without anyone complaining about comfort. "It just needs a sixth gear for highway driving."

She's right. In the top gear of the SX4's five-speed manual transmission, the wagon's two-liter, in-line four-cylinder, 143-horsepower engine whines at maximum legal speeds of 65 and 70 mph. But the car remains stable and always manages to change lanes safely. But highway running clearly is not its forte. The city is where the little SX4 shines.

At urban street speeds of 25 to 40 mph, it's zippy. It easily moves through city traffic. It is agile enough to stay out of the way of big delivery and construction trucks, even when the drivers of those behemoths seem intent on blocking the SX4's path and squishing it and everything else in its subcompact category.

As a result, city driving in the SX4 is enjoyable. At a base price of $14,999, the car is cheap enough to free you of the anxiety associated with driving high-end automobiles in downtown areas. Many of you know the feeling: "Stay away from my Lexus! You're too close to my Mercedes-Benz! If you scratch my Cadillac, if you bump my BMW, you're gonna pay."

In comparison, driving the SX4 is akin to strolling a boulevard sidewalk in a favorite pair of sneakers. They feel good, look good. You wouldn't deliberately scuff or muddy them. But you wouldn't have a heart attack if you did.

That does not mean the SX4 is a disposable car. In fact, it's rather classy -- probably the best-designed, best-built, best-looking automobile Suzuki has brought to America since it set up shop in this country in 1963.

Exterior design is cute, attractive enough to draw affectionate smiles. The interior is simple, yet elegant. And it's big enough -- as Ria so amply demonstrated with nuclear and extended family members -- to comfortably seat five people.

If Suzuki could add "best-engineered" to the SX4's commendable list of "bests," the car would be a solid, all-around winner.

Here's the problem: It's no big deal to lack a sixth gear if the vehicle in question is of suitable weight. The SX4's problem is that it's a little tank. At a factory weight of 2,904 pounds, it is almost as heavy as many mid-size automobiles, which is too heavy for a car in the subcompact class.

The excess fat is in the SX4's three-way all-wheel-drive system, which can be locked into full four-wheel-drive for better traction, adjusted for automatic wheel-to-wheel power shifts in all-wheel-drive, or allowed to operate in front-wheel-drive only. Choice is wonderful. But so much choice in a small economy car is unwarranted and harmful to something that really matters in this league -- fuel economy.

For example, running in full four-wheel-lock, the SX4 averages 23 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. In front-wheel-drive only, it averages 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. While those numbers would be acceptable, perhaps commendable in larger vehicles, they are decidedly subpar in a subcompact model.

Yet, the SX4 remains a worthy competitor in this segment. It is loaded with standard equipment -- four-wheel disc brakes with antilock protection, side air bags, front and rear head air bags, power windows and locks, a four-speaker MP3 audio system, and a transferable 100,000-mile or seven-year warranty to help support resale value. It is well-built and affordable. For many city dwellers, especially those living on tight budgets, it's a good deal.

Nuts & Bolts 2007 Suzuki SX4 AWD

Complaints: The little car is too heavy. A simple all-wheel-drive system in which power automatically shifts from slipping to gripping wheels would have been more suitable for this one.

Ride, acceleration and handling: The SX4 performs beautifully in all three categories in city driving. But it has the finesse of a little pig on the highway.

Head-turning quotient: Many positive nods towards this one. Someone at Suzuki finally has learned something about styling.

Vehicle design/layout: The SX4 is a front-engine, all-wheel-drive, subcompact economy wagon with four side doors and a rear hatch. The all-wheel-drive system can be adjusted three ways: full four-wheel-drive, automatic all-wheel-drive and front-wheel drive. There are two trim levels -- the tested Base model and the better-equipped Sport.

Engine/transmission: The SX4 comes with a standard two-liter, 16-valve, in-line four-cylinder engine that develops 143 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute and 136 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

Capacities: There is seating for five. With rear seats up, cargo capacity is 38.1 cubic feet. With rear seats down, it's 54 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 11 gallons of recommended regular unleaded gasoline.

Mileage: Our best highway mileage came in front-wheel-drive mode at 29 miles per gallon. Our worst was in full four-wheel-drive mode at 26 mpg.

Safety: Four-wheel antilock disc brakes. Front-passenger side air bags, and front and rear head air bags are standard.

Price: Base price on the tested Suzuki SX4 is $14,999. Dealer's invoice price on the base model is $14,399. Price as tested, including a $595 destination charge, is $15,594. Dealer's price as tested is $14,994. Prices supplied by Suzuki, http://www.edmunds.com, and http://www.cars.com, an affiliate of The Washington Post.

Purse-strings note: The Suzuki SX4 is the most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle currently on sale in America. But in the overall subcompact car category, it's surrounded by tough competitors, including the Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Focus, Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Subaru Impreza.
Kia and Hyundai have loudly made inroads into the US auto market recently, but Suzuki also is attempting to establish a bigger presence.

Consider today's test car, the 2007 SX4. Parents sometimes ask what to buy for their kids. From now on, this will be one of the cars I suggest.

First, at $16,000, I can't find a less expensive all-wheel-drive car. Second, it is chock full of air bags. And third, the blend of modest performance and utility is just fine for driving in New England weather conditions.

The road suitability is mostly because the car comes equipped with a three-level system called i-AWD (intelligent all-wheel drive). The first level powers only the front wheels, appropriate for normal running and to save fuel. True full-time AWD systems use more gas.

But on a slippery highway or back road, click into AWD Auto. It monitors wheel slip and sends power where you need it most -- fore or aft -- and operates in front-wheel drive only under normal driving conditions.

If you need to slog through deeper snow or require traction in getting to a backroad venue -- or you just don't have time to shovel out in the morning before work -- there's another option: AWD Lock. It delivers 30 to 50 percent of the power to the rear, but all four wheels are always working. It cuts out at 36 miles per hour.

Even as I write about the SX4's features, I have to keep reminding myself that it's a $16,000 car. So it's got to be cheap, right? Not at all. True, the seats aren't leather, there's no voice announcing when to make a left turn, and if your steering wheel is cold, you wear gloves.

But the SX4 is roomy, particularly for four passengers, and with a high roofline it has the spacious feel of some far larger cars.

The textured dash slopes gently toward the driver's compartment and features a center control pod, with a brushed metal-look plastic that nicely hides any cost savings. The knobs and buttons for audio and climate control are easily manipulated. And a radio/CD player with MP3 capability is standard.

The car is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. Four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmissions are also available. Understand that you are not going drag racing in this car, and you won't win the Mount Washington Auto Road climb. You will, however, roll just fine as long as you don't expect to beat a Subaru WRX Sti from a red light.

You will also need to anticipate when it's time to pass another car, because the SX4 tends to run out of oomph at somewhere just above 4,000 r.p.m. It is stiffly stable on the road and sits firm, owing largely to antiroll bars front and rear. There is a tendency to oversteer, but it's fairly benign.

Outside, the nose is short and raked backward rather aggressively so that the view from the inside reveals little of the hood. The windshield rises long and fast. From there, the SX4 turns into a small station wagon -- it has a flat roof with rails that lead to a rather sudden drop-off at a chopped rear gate.

Standard safety equipment includes ABS and driver and passenger front and side bags, and curtain bags front and rear. Move up to the SX4 Sport package to add electronic stability and traction control. It's $1,000 well spent, plus you get other goodies, such as an upgraded sound system with a six-CD changer.

Other standard gear includes a 60/40 split folding rear seat, power windows/locks/mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, and remote keyless entry. There's also a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The SX4 is a good buy.

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki calls its primary sport utility vehicle an "offroad athlete." The Grand Vitara is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Changes for 2007 are minimal.

The Grand Vitara was designed with nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a fully independent suspension. Full-time four-mode four-wheel drive is available on upper-end models. Six airbags and an Electronic Stability Program are standard.

Premium, XSport and Luxury Packages are available. Under the Grand Vitara's hood sits what is essentially an XL-7 engine, modified to increase its power bands and improve emissions. No four-cylinder version is available. Suzuki continues to produce the seven-passenger XL-7 flagship SUV.

For 2007, the Grand Vitara's trip computer displays average fuel economy and range functions. A hard-shell spare tire and a tire pressure monitoring system now come standard.

Exterior
Evolved from the Concept-X2 that Suzuki exhibited at the 2005 New York Auto Show, the Grand Vitara features accented, flared fenders and what chief engineer Koji Yamada calls a "single long window" look. Side sill garnishes embellish the hood. A tailgate-mounted spare tire is installed, and the 17-inch tires on upper-end models have wide treads. Base models ride on 16-inch rubber.

Basically unibodied in construction, the Grand Vitara has a built-in ladder frame. For off-roading, the approach angle is 29 degrees and the departure angle is 27 degrees. Measuring 176.0 inches long, the Grand Vitara rides on a 103.9-inch wheelbase. A moonroof is included with the Luxury edition.

Interior
Rear legroom in the five-passenger Grand Vitara increased by 4.7 inches over the 2005 model. Interior width also grew by 4.7 inches. The 60/40-split, folding rear seat offers fold-and-tumble operation.

"Self-luminous" triple-cylinder LED instruments are installed, and the wide console sweeps up into the dashboard. Steering-wheel audio controls and automatic climate control are standard, and the CD/MP3 player is XM Satellite Radio-ready. XSport and Luxury models include a six-CD changer. A SmartPass keyless start system, available for XSport and Luxury models, locks and unlocks the vehicle with the press of a button on the door.

Under the Hood
Suzuki's 2.7-liter V-6 produces 185 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 184 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. Upper-end models have a five-speed automatic transmission, but a five-speed manual gearbox is standard in base models.

The four-mode four-wheel-drive system, an option for XSport and Luxury models, includes 4H, 4H Lock (slippery) and 4L Lock positions. A limited-slip center differential and rear-wheel drive come standard. A single-mode four-wheel-drive system is offered for base models.

Safety
Seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags are standard in all models. Four-channel antilock brakes incorporate electronic brake-force distribution.

Driving Impressions
Except for occasionally awkward, almost jerky, automatic-transmission operation — especially on upgrades — the Grand Vitara performs and behaves capably. Failure to upshift on upgrades can result in the engine revving rather high (and loudly) for a long period. On downgrades, the transmission sometimes downshifts with a slight clunk. Downshifts may arrive sooner than expected, suggesting a lack of power at certain engine speeds.

Acceleration is good but not stunning. The Grand Vitara's ride is well-controlled, comfortably smooth on good roads and doesn't transmit too much unpleasantness in rougher spots. In fact, it almost glides through smooth stretches more like a family sedan than an SUV. Very quick and controlled suspension reactions help make such ride comfort possible. You also get more confident, sure-footed handling than in some small SUVs.

The seat bottoms are short, but the Grand Vitara has good thigh and back support and snug side bolstering. Large gauges are easy to read. Quieter-running than some smaller SUVs, the Grand Vitara provides easy views in all directions.

A four-mode four-wheel-drive Grand Vitara performed impressively on a challenging offroad course, traversing lumpy surfaces and scads of rocks. Many times, scraping an obstacle seemed inevitable, but that didn't happen.
The small-SUV market is a tough league to play in, full of worthy contenders such as the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Jeep Compass and the Korean twins, the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Suzuki got a jump on all those manufacturers with the Samurai, introduced in the mid-1980s. The Samurai was a superb vehicle for what it was designed to do: traverse tight jungle trails. For life on the streets, though, it was slow as frozen molasses, rode like a buckboard, and its tipsy cornering earned it scorn from Consumer Reports that, though not entirely fair, was mostly deserved.

Still, with such an early start on building small SUVs, it's odd that it took Suzuki until last year to build one that is on par with the competition. With only minor changes for 2007, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is, as it was when it was introduced in 2006, an excellent vehicle; for the money, it's as good as any small SUV out there, including the Toyota and Honda.

The 2.7-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 is the only engine offered -- no four-cylinder. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but our test model, a midlevel Xsport, had a five-speed automatic that works reasonably well but could use some re-programming to smooth out shifts. The engine has plenty of pep, but it's thirstier than some of the competition: EPA rating is 19 miles per gallon city, 24 mpg highway.

The test model was two-wheel drive; all-wheel drive would add $1,400. Unless you live in a climate that results in a lot of slick roads, or unless you plan to do regular off-roading -- and with beefy, trucklike frame rails, the Grand Vitara is ready -- you're OK with two-wheel drive. There are, after all, safety features such as electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and side and side-curtain air bags standard.

On the road, the Grand Vitara rides well for its size, which is an overall length of 176 inches and a width of 71.3 inches, making it just a little larger than a Ford Escape. Handling is much better than you would expect. Inside, the cockpit is attractive and comfortable, with firm front bucket seats and adequate space in the back seat for adults. There's 23.8 cubic feet of luggage space with the rear seat in place, and 67.3 with it folded down.

The Grand Vitara starts at $19,379 for the base model. The top of the line is the Luxury, which starts at $23,399 and includes leather upholstery, heated seats and a few other features. Our Xsport had only one option -- a six-disc CD changer for $300 -- but it wasn't included in the overall price of $22,119 because of a promotion.

Cheap? No, but pretty reasonable, given the level of equipment. It has taken a while, but Suzuki is a finally a real player in the market it helped to create.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smith can be reached at scmsith@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5699.

Suzuki Aerio

Suzuki introduced a new four-door, front-wheel-drive sport sedan named the Aerio, along with a related Aerio SX hatchback, in March 2002. For 2007, the Suzuki Aerio SX hatchback has been discontinued, option packages have been revised and cruise control now comes standard. The Premium Package with all-wheel drive now features a standard automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive became available for the 2003 model year, and a new 2.3-liter four-cylinder that develops 155 horsepower was installed in 2004.

A mild face-lift for 2005 gave the Aerio a new front bumper, grille and fog lamps. A new analog instrument panel was installed, and audio and climate controls on the steering wheel were included. Side-impact airbags became standard.

Exterior
More upright than most small cars, Aerio sedans come in a single trim level, but a Premium Package is offered. Design features such as pronounced wheel flares and multireflector headlights enhance the Aerio's sporty image. A stubby, ground-hugging snout incorporates a body-colored bumper.

The sedan rides on a 97.6-inch wheelbase and measures 171.3 inches long overall. Large doors are intended to ease entry and exit. Heated mirrors are included on all-wheel-drive models.

Interior
Each Aerio seats up to five occupants on front buckets and a split, folding rear seat. The tall roofline allows a high seating position. The sedan's trunk holds up to 14.6 cubic feet of cargo.

Standard equipment includes automatic air conditioning, a tachometer, a tilt steering wheel with integrated audio controls, intermittent wipers, a MP3/six-CD changer audio system with seven speakers, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, and power windows, locks and mirrors.

Under the Hood
The Aerio's 2.3-liter four-cylinder generates 155 hp and 152 pounds-feet of torque and teams with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and Suzuki's QuadGrip all-wheel drive is available. All-wheel-drive models come only with the automatic.

Safety
Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, daytime running lights and child-safety seat tether anchors are standard.

Driving Impressions
In construction quality, performance and handling, the Aerio took a big step forward compared with Suzuki's old Esteem. It's more fun to drive than most small cars, and the Aerio easily whips around urban areas. Acceleration is satisfying, and the automatic transmission functions without harshness or undue delay. Engine noise is noticeable during acceleration.

The Aerio is easy to steer and control, and it breezes through corners and moderate curves. A light feel on the highway yields acceptable stability, but the Aerio doesn't feel quite as secure as some other compacts. Its ride quality is impressive even on patched urban pavement, but imperfect surfaces can produce harsh suspension reactions.

Visibility is very good. All seats are comfortable and snugly bolstered. Space in both the front and rear seats is abundant.