2008 Suzuki SX4

What: Suzuki's sporty compact sedan offering

How much: $15,270

What's hot: Low price, sporty driving dynamics, great warranty

What's not: Strange looks, no driver's arm rest, rear seats do not fold

On the road: Visually, the SX4 is an odd duck because of its origins as a crossover. It sits high, providing a whopping 6.3 inches of ground clearance, and its windshield is more vertical than usual for a compact sedan, necessitating the quarter-windows behind the A-pillar. The extra pillar up front gives the front windows an odd shape, but there is no noticeable loss of visibility. The crossover roots also provide a higher-than-usual seating position.

Interior build quality of the interior is particularly impressive. Panel fit and finish is excellent and the plastics don't feel cheap or hollow. Seat upholstery is unremarkable, as is comfort level. They're decently bolstered on the side, but the lack of an armrest is annoying. Other amenities are few -- automatic climate control (which works surprisingly well) and a respectable four-speaker stereo. The trunk is a cavernous 15 cubic feet in size, which is good, because the rear seats do not fold down. Overall, the interior is definitely above average for the class, even with a couple of shortcomings

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder packs a good punch on the low end and performs well at the top, though its peak output of 143 horsepower comes at a meager 5800 RPM, making it a bad choice for lovers of rev-happy engines. Despite giving up some ground in the power department to the competition, the SX4 counterbalances with a remarkably low curb weight of just 2668 pounds. The gearbox is a good one, the gears are spaced out well, and the shifter provides precise, quick throws with a good mechanical feel. Memo to Subaru: take one out of Suzuki's playbook here. Stopping ability is good too, courtesy of disk brakes with ABS at all four corners.

However, it's on the road where the SX4 makes the best argument for itself. It handles corners compliantly with controllable understeer, and minimal body roll thanks to its stiff, balanced suspension and responsive steering. It behaves so well, in fact, that it is hard to tell that there's a torsion beam in the back instead of an independent setup. It works well on the highway too. Road and wind noise is blocked out well for the class and engine speed doesn't shoot up the tach like it does on some cars at freeway speeds. Fuel economy is on par with the likes of the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, but below some of the serious fuel misers like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus. If you fancy a high-value compact with a fun to drive character, definitely give the SX4 Sport a look.

Like this? Try these: Honda Civic, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer,

Bottom line: A fun-to-drive if strange looking alternative to the usual compact suspects.