By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We were taken back three years ago that Suzuki was selling a small, practical vehicle called the SX4 in sedan and hatchback formats with all-wheel drive, a host of options including keyless start, and a long-term warranty for less than 16 grand. We thought, “Amazing.”

Suzuki is still selling the same practical small car in 2010, but with numerous enhancements. All-wheel drive is still available in the high-roof “crossover” hatchback format and still at a bargain price in 2010 dollars of $16,849, just a thousand bucks more than the comparable two-wheel drive model.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Suzuki has ripped a page from the South Korean automotive playbook.

The Japanese company, with ties to General Motors, has introduced for 2004 a feature-laden mid-sized sedan with an inline 6-cylinder engine for under $20,000.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Suzuki has always been a minor player in the U.S. auto market. The Japanese company over the past couple of decades is perhaps most known for its small sport utility vehicles and its partner relationship with General Motors.

For many people in the U.S., Suzuki is probably better known for its motorcycles. It is the world’s third-largest motorcycle builder.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

All-wheel drive is becoming increasingly popular, now found on many vehicles including sedans and sports cars. New, sophisticated systems that drive all four wheels are better than two-wheel drive in nearly all applications.

But if you want all-wheel drive you’ll probably have to pay extra even in big, high-end sport utility vehicles and the new breed of crossover utilities.

Standard-equipment all-wheel drive is rare, usually reserved for high-dollar models.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We were in Atlanta earlier in the year at a press event driving a series of new cars, some with price tags approaching the ridiculous.

There were the usual stars, some sports cars, a couple of new hardtop convertibles, a handful of top-line luxury sedans. So later we thought it was interesting that one of the standout experiences of the six-hour driving smorgasbord was the 2007 Suzuki XL7.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

All-wheel drive is becoming increasingly popular, now found on many vehicles including sedans and sports cars. New, sophisticated all-wheel drive systems are better than two-wheel drive in nearly all applications.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Suzuki’s new mid-sized sedan gets most things right, making it a worthwhile investment in practical and comfortable transportation. We might even suggest it is smart investment with touches of unexpected refinement.

But the newest Suzuki will not get equal treatment in the marketplace.