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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 14, 2007 - 19 EVERYTHING Auto your guide to everything auto in Oakville INSIDE: Pontiac inviels the new convertible G6 . . . . . .Page 16 Chevy Tahoe 2006 leading the way . . . . . . . . .Page 18 Nissan Altima excells against all others . . . . . . . .Page 21 2007 Suzuki SX4 By ROB BEINTEMA OAKVILLE BEAVER SPECIAL The 2007 Suzuki SX4. So, what is it exactly? A small sport utility? A mini MPV? Or just a 5-door hatchback on SUV steroids? Well, in a sense, it's all of the above. The SX4 takes its name from its design intent as a sport crossover (or X-over) for all 4 seasons. It starts with a compact Suzuki Swift platform that was retooled for AWD ability and, true to Suzuki heritage, it packs real utility in a portable package. This new pocket rocket follows the latest trend of tall architecture philosophy. It's a uniquely styled vehicle with just enough SUV pretensions for North America and, they tell me, with a European flavour from Italian design consultants. My favourite colour is the very handsome Copper Pearl Metallic. The roomy cabin features ample headroom, lots of glass and good visibility. And it holds five passengers with 16.2 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the back seat. That expands to 54.3 cu.ft of room when the second row is folded. The SX4 holds a few surprises as well. Namely, a long list of included features that are not usually found in this class or under the $25K price range. The SX4 comes with six airbags ñ front, side and side curtain. ABS braking with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) comes standard. Other standard features on the base model include halogen headlights, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, tilt steering and an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA 4 speaker audio system with speed-sensing volume control. The radio is also XM satellite ready. A Driver Information Display with clock, outside temperature and fuel economy readout sits on top of the dash. This is a nice and unexpected feature in a compact entry level car. And, man, I might have to dust off a few other unexpected adjectives for a Suzuki. Like 'stylish', 'quiet' and 'elegant'. Yes, elegant. The obvious build quality and simple ergonomic elegance of the dash and instrument panel layout and design comes as a welcome surprise. My automotive partner, Jim Robinson, who covered Suzuki's original launch of the SX4, wrote about how well a two-tone interior would look in this vehicle. I agree. But the textures of black, set off by simple silver stripped highlights, make this interior dynamic in its own right. On first impression, the 'wow' in the outward-bent split A-pillars seems to strike the only discordant note against the symmetry of the rest of the interior. But I get the designer's intent and the obvious benefit of extra curbside visibility through the front quarter windows. Not much to complain about. The steering wheel buttons and window switches should be illuminated. And I expect they probably will be in the next generation model. And, come on, add in some funky ambient lighting and iPod connectivity for the next generation of customers. Nitpicking aside, settle back, twist the key and the SX4 awakes with a 2.0litre, four-cylinder engine that makes 143 hp @ 5800 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Pretty good numbers for a small car. There are already rumours of a future VVTi engine and a souped-up version of the SX4 will soon be pitting itself against Subaru and Mitsubishi in WRC rally competition. But the stock motor pulls willingly with just a little nasal four-cylinder drama. The engine is mated to a 5speed manual transmission and a 4speed automatic is optional. Those are two of the variants of this model and the SX4 also comes in three trim levels ñ base, JX and JLX ñ along with a choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD) systems. I drove two versions of the car, a base manual (MT) vehicle and the top end JLX AWD AT and they exhibit interesting Jekyll & Hyde differences. Those differences are mainly due to transmission choice. The 5-speed manual in the base car is low geared, responsive and quick. Of course, the base model is also about 100 kg lighter but the peppiness was mainly due to gear selection. On the down-side, the short ratio has the engine revving at not-quite-frenetic 3500 rpm in top gear at the slightly illegal but universally accepted 120 kmh highway speed. The manual needs a sixth gear or at least a taller fifth. But, while manual models rarely sell as well as automatics, I hear that these 5-speeds, mated with AWD, are flying out the dealer door. The 4-speed automatic, on the other hand, is sedately civilized, with a kind of accelerate-and-wait feel in the city and, on the freeway, it shifts early into a significantly lower rpm level cruise. Continued on Page 22 EVERYTHIN 2007 VOLVO XC70 AND XC90 TWO TELEVISIONS FOR THE PRICE OF NONE FOR A LIMITED TIME, RECEIVE A NO CHARGE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM VALUED AT $2,500 WITH THE PURCHASE OF A 2007 XC90 OR XC70. 2007 VOLVO XC70 AWD $ LEASE PER MO. 39 MOS. $4,522.63 DOWN 543 594 2.60%* LEASE RATE 2007 VOLVO XC90 AWD $ LEASE PER MO. 39 MOS. $4,552.63 DOWN 3.25%* LEASE RATE VOLVO OF OAKVILLE 770 PAC CIFIC ROAD, OAKVILLE (888) 665 0028 WWW.VOLVOOFOAKVILLE.COM 665-0028 WWW.VOLVOOFOA Without prejudice. Limited time offer, on approved credit to qualified retail customers only. Offer available on a 2007 XC70 A/2007 XC90 3.2 AWD A; $543.03/593.51 per month; 39/39 month term with $4,522.63/4,552.63 down payment, first month's payment excluding tax, $1,515.00/$1,515.00 freight and PDI, $45.80/$45.80 PPSA and $650.00/$700.00 security deposit are due at lease inception. Lease APR 2.60%/3.25%. Total lease obligation is $21,178.17/$23,146.89. Taxes, licence, insurance and retailer charges extra. Lease has a 60,000 km/60,000 km allowance ($0.16/$0.16 per km on excess) [kilometre statement only required if allowance is less than 20,000 km/year]. Payment and security deposit may varyby choice of extraequipment. Purchase at end of lease for $24,195.00/$26,463.90 plus taxes. Receive a No-Charge Rear Seat Entertainment system with a value of $2,500, $2,500 value is based on the MSRP value of the rear seat entertainment system purchased separately. No charge DVD system may require the installation of optional equipment at an extra charge. Offer can not be redeemed for cash value. Offer subject to availability. Retailer may sell for less. Some terms/conditions apply. Offer ends February 28, 2007. See Volvo of Oakville for full details. ©2007 Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. "Volvo for life' is a registered trademark used under license by Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. Always remember to wear your sea belt. Visit volvoofoakville.com. ON/AB/MA v6.3