Keeping the Wheels on the Road

As the seasons change and autumn is upon us, thoughts turn from fun-filled days at the beach to long mornings slogging through the rush-hour commute in inclement weather. If you live anywhere where the weather gets rough, an all-wheel drive vehicle can work wonders for your daily drive. But what if you want the safety of all-wheel drive without having to drive an SUV?

As recently as a few years ago the market for all-wheel drive passenger cars was fairly small. If you wanted one, your choices were limited to a few manufactures, and the models like Acura Fan Clutch were usually priced at a premium. That changed with the introduction of the 2007 Suzuki SX4. The SX4 was a neat little five-door crossover that offered style, all-wheel drive, and a low sticker price of $14,999. Suzuki is launching an SX4 sedan for 2008 that offers the same amenities and underpinnings as the crossover, but in a four-door package at a base price of $14,770. For a few dollars more at $16,270, a touring package adds upgraded amenities, and, more importantly, an electronic stability program and a traction control system to keep the wheels on the road in tough driving conditions.