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2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport: The “Other” Japanese Brand Makes Some Noise!
When we think of Japanese automakers, Toyota, Honda and Nissan usually come to mind, and usually in that order. That’s because the Camry, Accord and Altima have dominated sales charts for many years. But what about Suzuki? They’ve been in the car game for a number of years now, and also build outboard motors for boats and one of the world’s fastest motorcycles, the Hayabusa. Yet, ask most on the street, and many won’t recognize Suzuki as a Japanese car brand.
 If the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport has the impact on the buying public that it had on journalists during a recent press launch in Northern Virginia, then Suzuki could become a household word. This diminutive sedan is a complete urban machine in every sense of the word. The SX4 Sport shares features with the SX4 Crossover, and suspension and steering that was heavily influenced by the super hot Suzuki Swift (not yet available in the US).
Power comes from a 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine rated at 143-horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. The standard tranny is a five-speed manual -- a four-speed automatic transmission is optional. EPA fuel economy ratings, based on new, real world ratings, are 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
 Perhaps the two most pleasant surprises with the SX4 Sport were road manners and structural integrity. Some small cars lack additional body bracing to save weight and cost, and end up dancing all over the road due to a lack of rigidity. No chance with the SX4 Sport, as it features a rigid steel unibody with reinforced suspension mounts, front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam suspension featuring KYB shock absorbers and standard stabilizer bars. The suspension has also been lowered 10 millimeters. The combination of a wide track and a large 17-inch wheels and tires help optimize handling. On the road, it’s quiet, handles quite well, and provides usable feedback to the driver looking for the next “hole” in rush hour traffic. While no speed burner, acceleration is adequate for those road battles. When its time to slow your roll, the SX4 Sport also features large four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment, while others in its class feature front disc, rear drum configurations. Other class-leading standard features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, aluminum alloy wheels and remote keyless entry.
 Inside, the SX4’s interior belies its economy car image. The center console features large, circular controls flanked by aluminum-colored trim that looks amazingly real. Gauges and switches are backlit by red lighting, and sightlines to gauges and controls are unobstructed. The SX4 Sport’s cabin is up level sporty. The sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior featuring black cloth. The interior features two high powered audio systems, both available with XM Satellite Radio. A Suzuki iPod interface is available as a dealer installed option. Also offered as a dealer-installed basis is Bluetooth connectivity. Suzuki’s “SmartPass” keyless entry is available on the Touring trim level, further extending the upmarket feel of the SX4 Sport.
Outside, styling is fresh, but not revolutionary. This is a tall sedan, but features. A wide track with pronounced fender arches to add to the visual appeal.
 The 2008 SX4 Sport comes with two optional packages: Convenience and Touring. The base SX4 Sport’s standard features include six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, front seatbelt pretensioners, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and daytime running lights. The starting MSRP for the SX4 Sport is $14,770 plus $625 destination and handling.
The Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors. The starting MSRP for the SX4 with the Convenience Package is $15,270. The Touring package adds a six-disc CD player, upgraded audio with nine speakers including subwoofer, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS) and SmartPass for an additional $1000 ($16,270). With the added safety of ESP and TCS, forking over the additional grand is a no brainer. An automatic transmission is available for $1,100 on all models. All Suzuki automobiles are backed by a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
 My solitary gripe with the SX4 lies with its single note horn. It’s very weak, not what you need in a small car driven in an SUV world. If you buy one, visit your local auto supply store and pick up a dual note horn. The Suzuki SX4 Sport is a solid, all around, fun to drive machine that’s so much more than a commuter.
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