2007 Suzuki SX4

Interior

The SX4's 90 cubic-foot interior compares to those of Audi's A3 hatchback and Subaru's Impreza wagon. With wide door openings and "theater-style" rear seating, Suzuki says it offers "generous" room, even for rear-seat passengers." That depends on who they are. We found it legroom-challenged for six-footers in front and much more so in back. Inside the cabin are smooth, curving forms and a flowing center stack in keeping with the car's sporty character. The dark, two-tone interior features black cloth seats, brushed metal-look accents and generally quality appearing materials. The large three-ring instrument cluster sports red night lighting, and the ergonomically arranged instrument panel offers a trip computer and intuitive, easy to operate controls. The only slightly low-rent touches are the plain-looking three-spoke steering wheel and a cheap-feeling automatic shifter.


There are plenty of handy storage compartments, the doors have large pockets and bottle holders, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats can tumble forward to increase cargo capacity from 9.5 to 22 cubic feet. The center stack houses a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 four-speaker audio system or available six-disc in-dash CD AM/FM/MP3 nine speaker (including subwoofer) audio, along with climate and other controls. Both audio systems are XM Satellite Radio-capable, and a fully integrated iPod2 system, which works seamlessly through the radio with playlists and song information on the radio display, can be dealer-installed.

Packaging

The 2007 SX4 comes in base and Sport models. The $14,999 base car comes with power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, fender flares and silver bumper cover plates. The $350 Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls. The $1,149 Rally package includes those plus a front center armrest, a sport shift knob (with manual transmission), body-side cladding, a rear-deck spoiler and chrome exhaust tip.


The $16,449 SX4 Sport model adds the leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and such upscale features as ESP with traction control, SmartPass keyless entry and start system, automatic climate control, nine-speaker audio with six-disc CD changer, heated mirrors, cruise control, silver color roof rails and fog lamps.


Suzuki improved from a lowly 34th out of 36 U.S.-market brands in the 2006 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey (which covers the first three months of ownership) to a more respectable 28th in 2007 -- ahead of fellow Japanese brands Mitsubishi and Mazda, domestics Dodge, Jeep and Hummer and Europeans VW and Land Rover. Like all 2007 Suzuki automobiles, the SX4 carries a 100,000-mile/seven-year limited powertrain warranty and three years/36,000 miles on the rest of the car. A stylish SX4 sedan will be added for 2008. (www.suzukiauto.com)