In this time of almost $4 per gallon gasoline, the tag line “America’s most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle” sounds pretty darn good. Throw in a couple of awards for Best Commuter Car and Best Kept Secret, and your attention and curiosity must certainly be piqued.
What is this vehicle, in its sophomore year, that you’ve never heard of? It’s the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Crossover — South Korea’s solution to America’s need for a functional, versatile, feature-packed entry vehicle that comes with a serious dose of attitude at no extra charge.
This five-door hatchback is small, stylish and cool. With a starting price of $15,270, a seating capacity of four, and an EPA rating of 28 mpg on the highway, the SX4 Crossover hits the sweet spot for people stuck with gas-guzzling behemoths that require a Benjamin Franklin per fill-up with change left over for a couple of Slurpees.
The SX4 Crossover is handsomely designed. It has a standard all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. The eye-catching vehicle combines numerous amenities with capable handling and a long list of safety features to offer a high level of functionality. CNN Money named it one of the 10 Great First Cars when it was introduced last year.
To ease the commute, the SX4 Crossover is powered by a sophisticated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission. The chassis borrows from the award-winning Suzuki Swift that earned numerous industry awards worldwide. It’s a rigid steel unibody affair, fine-tuned in Europe to provide good stability on the highway along with crisp, responsive handling, precise braking and minimal body roll.
A wide track and standard 16-inch wheels and tires make the ride even more composed. Large four-wheel disc brakes are also standard.
An in-console switch allows the driver to choose the mode that best suits the driving situation. The 2WD mode dedicates power to the front wheels for optimum fuel economy in high-traction conditions. In AWD Auto mode, up to 50 percent of torque is automatically apportioned to the rear wheels. I preferred the no-brainer AWD Lock setting that sends between 30 percent and 50 percent of power as needed to the rear wheels for optimum traction in slippery conditions. At speeds above 36 mph, the system switches automatically to AWD Auto mode for smooth cruising.
Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability program and traction control are standard on the SX4 Crossover with a Touring Package.
Standard features include power windows and mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, CD/MP3 stereo system with XM satellite radio capability, tilt steering wheel, alloy wheels, and black roof rails.
What struck me first about the SX4 Crossover was its distinctive appearance — followed by, of course, its vast array of Larry-pleasing amenities.
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