2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Sedan: Bold Styling in a Fuel Efficient Car

Suzuki has built more than 35 million cars and turned a profit every year. Obviously the engineers and sales managers know exactly what they’re doing. More proof of that claim is the all-new SX4 Sport, an economically priced, fuel efficient sedan. Better yet, its bold styling is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Beneath the hood resides a modestly-sized aluminum block 2.0 liter four-cylinder motor. Its compression ratio is a lofty 10.5 to one, which explains how engineers were able to wring so much horsepower (143 hp) out of a modestly-sized block. More good news, peak torque comes at a low 3500 rpm which pays big dividends in acceleration. SX4’s zero to 60 mph elapsed time is a respectable nine seconds. That’s fast enough to make most drivers happy.

But will really put a smile on any drivers face is the really good fuel economy. During my week long test drive I averaged nearly 26 mpg with an even mix of city and highway driving. Did I mention the SX4 is delivered with a full tank of gas? Two transmissions are offered, a five-speed manual and an optional four-speed automatic ($1100). The difference between the two is about one mpg.

I really liked the roomy interior. Even those of us with broad shoulders will enjoy plenty of elbow room. Headroom is also great, while front seat legroom is average. Sitting behind the wheel notice the front windshield pillars with the glass. The glass not only looks nice but also improves visibility during cornering.

The rear seat upholstery is undeniably comfy and legroom is more than adequate for a car of this class. But even though Suzuki claims three will fit back there, two is more reasonable number of passengers. Wind noise is modest, a pleasant surprise in such an economically priced car. The engine is audible but not loud. The trunk is roomy but there is no trunk pass-through. Overall I found the SX4 to be remarkably comfortable for such a small car.

Handling manners rate high marks. Steering is sharp with fewer than three turns, lock-to-lock. Cornering is stable thanks to the wide track (the distance measured between left and right wheels). You should also know the sport tuned suspension includes KYB performance shock absorbers. Ride quality, or comfort, was great. I liked the way the suspension feels firm without any harsh aftertaste. The 17-inch low profile tires are bigger and better than I would have expected on an economy car. No big surprise these fairly formidable tires smoothe the ride and better grip the road. Look for the flared fenders necessary to accommodate the big tires.

What really caught my eye was the SX4’s Electronic Stability Program (available on SX4 Sport Touring models). Simply put, its firmware measures vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and yaw faster than a driver can. So if an unintended oversteer or understeer is detected, ESP applies individual brakes and reduces engine torque to maintain control. It does this when cornering, under acceleration, during emergency maneuvers and/or when driving on slippery road surfaces.

The 2008 SX4 Sport is undeniably one of the best equipped compact cars in America, equipped with more standard features than some cars costing thousands of dollars more. For example the base SX4 Sport includes, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, an aero body package, alloy wheels and floor mats.

Most notable of the safety items are daytime running lights, anti-lock brakes, dual stage front airbags, front seat side impact air bags, side curtain airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system and child safety locks and tether anchors. Replete with front and rears crumple zones, the unibody is designed to flow impact energy away form the reinforced passenger compartment. I feel safer already.

There are two optional packages: Convenience and Touring. The Convenience Package adds cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic climate control and heated outside mirrors.

While the Touring package adds a six-disc CD player, an upgraded 380-watt audio system with nine speakers, including subwoofer, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, the previously mentioned Electronic Stability Program with traction control system and SmartPass keyless entry and start system.

Finally, the warranty term is one of the best in the business, running for seven years or 100.000 miles. Better yet, it’s transferable from the original owner to its next owner and so on down the line. In the unlikely even the car actually needs warranty rears Suzuki provides a courtesy car.

Wheelbase - 98.4“
Engine - 2.0L I-4
Horsepower - 143 @5800 rpm
Transmission - 4-spd auto
Mileage - 23/31
Fuel capacity- 13.2 gallons
Curb weight - 2668 pounds
Base price - $14770
As tested - $16,270

2008 Suzuki Reno: Low Price - Good Mileage

What a difference a couple of years makes. Attitudes change. So for at least awhile, forget about monster motors and big trucks. These days I joyfully sing the praises of compact cars. In this week’s column the lyrics celebrate one of the least expensive cars on the planet: the Suzuki Reno. For 2008 this four-door hatchback boasts a generous list of standard features, a long warranty term and a small, fuel-efficient engine.

Under the hood there’s a 127-horsepower 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder motor. The block is cast iron, the cylinder head aluminum and it’s populated with 16 valves. The compression ratio is a slighter higher than normal 9.6 to one, but regular gas burns just fine. I was especially pleased to see the car meets Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II standards (ULEV-II) , which means Reno is not only economical to operate, but also its exhaust emissions are easier on the environment. More good news, Reno’s onboard diagnostic have been improved, making it easier for technicians to diagnose problems.

Standard equipment is a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. Acceleration is noticeably strong with the manual transmission. With the manual transmission the EPA suggests mileage will be in the range of 20 mpg city and 28 highway, and with the automatic figured to be slightly lower at 19/28.

Handling manners are more than adequate for a car of this class. Reno is a reasonably nimble handler. Though I could feel a hint of body roll when deep into a turn. Speed sensitive steering is standard. Ride quality is not as good as it would be with a bigger car. Understandably that’s because of the shorter wheelbase, less expensive suspension components (plain vanilla McPherson struts) and economy car tires (195/55R15). You can’t have it both ways. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard equipment while antilock brakes are optional and include electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

Reno seats five total, with two up front and three in the back. Keeping in mind this is a small car destined to be driver by all different size drivers, the driver seat features height and lumbar-support adjustments, along with an adjustable headrest. Getting comfortable will be no problem. Visibility is better than average, although the rear headrests interfere at least a little with the over-the-shoulder view. Back seat passengers will enjoy adequate leg- and shoulder room so long as the front seats aren't set too far back. Entry and egress are good. The fold-down center armrest is a nice touch.

Cargo capacity is modest with the rear seats deployed. But fold them down and you can take full advantage of the hatchback. Cargo space literally quadruples. Upholstery is cloth. During the test drive I was pleased to notice how well insulated the interior is against noise intrusion. Don’t misunderstand. Accelerate hard and you will hear the engine roar. At highway speeds you will notice wind rush. But sound levels are low enough to live with, especially considering the car’s price point.

The 2008 Suzuki Reno comes in but one trim level. Standard items include heated side mirrors, air-conditioning with cabin air filtration, a tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, intermittent front wipers, rear wipers, dual sun visors with vanity mirrors, and a four-speaker AM/FM with CD and MP3.

For safety sake Reno boasts an advanced design dual stage front airbag supplemental restraint system, advanced weight-sensing front airbag, plus driver and passenger front side airbags. Both the driver and front passenger seats feature three-point safety belts fitted with pre-tensioners and height-adjustable shoulder belts. Rear seats have three-point seatbelts and headrests for all three passengers. A LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat system and child-safety rear door locks are standard.

But what I like best about this small car is the fact that it’s built with front and rear crumple zones and guard beams in the doors. So in unlikely event of a crash these components will absorb energy, reducing injuries. Want proof? In the car’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the 2008 Suzuki Reno earned an Acceptable (second-highest) rating for frontal-offset crash protection.

Naturally, there are options. I found the Convenience Package to be a tantalizing possibility. It adds the previously mentioned automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, audio controls on the steering-wheel hub, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, cruise control and a security alarm.

Finally, the real eyebrow raiser is the fully transferable powertrain warranty term that runs for seven years or 100,000 miles. Corrosion protection runs for three years with no limit on mileage. While the bumper to bumper warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles.

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Wheelbase - 102.4 inches
Engine - 2.0L I-4
Horsepower - 127@ 5600 rpm
Transmission - 4-speed automatic
Fuel capacity - 14.5 gallons
Curb weight - 2745 pounds
Mileage - 20/28 mpg
Base price- $13,599
As tested - $13,999