Suzuki SX4 Boston MA

Among enthusiasts, Suzuki is better known for motorcycles than cars. How the company that peddles the 186-mph Hayabusa bike can also sell the lackadaisical Reno hatchback is a mystery, but the 2007 SX4 is a step in the right direction. And unlike the Hayabusa, the SX4 offers standard all-wheel drive—for less than any other car on the market.

The 2.0-liter inline-four in the SX4 puts out 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. That's less power than in the Hayabusa but good enough for second place when judged next to the engines in seven econoboxes we tested last year ["$15,000 Cheap Skates," C/D, May 2006]. The 9.1-second 0-to-60 time was hampered by a transmission that killed the power after each shift, but the 9.3-second time in the 5-to-60 street start and 0.80 g on the skidpad would have been the best when put up against that comparo group. The only disappointment is the 184-foot braking distance. Good and bad credit is due to the all-wheel-drive system, which helps grip but adds weight, and extra pounds hurt braking and acceleration. Fuel economy suffers as well: Our test car returned a not-impressive 22 mpg.

The SX4 has a switch next to the parking brake for front-wheel drive, AWD auto, or AWD lock. In the AWD modes, power is sent to the rear wheels via an electromechanical clutch. Lock mode sends 30 to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels (up from 0 to 50 percent in auto) and automatically switches to auto at 36 mph.

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