Suzuki’s SX4 Sport is a real TRIP

Some people have a natural sense of direction.

Take my father: you can drop him in the middle of a city he has never been to, and within 15 minutes he will have located a hotel, found the fastest route back to the airport, and discovered where to get the best Thai food in town.

Then there are people like my mother, who still gets lost going to work sometimes. (She’s worked there eight years.)

I am very much my mother’s daughter. Now don’t get me wrong — we are both intelligent ladies.

It’s just that, well, we have more important things to think about than which way is north and whether we were supposed to turn right or left at that last intersection.

Luckily for people like us, many cars now come equipped with navigation systems.

Unfortunately, navigation systems usually only come on big, fancy, expensive cars. And while my mom can probably afford a car like that, sometimes I’ve been lucky if the car I bought came with seatbelts.

Of course, you can buy those inexpensive portable aftermarket navigation systems for a lot less than the built-in models in those expensive cars. But for those on a budget, the built-in systems generally have been out of reach.

That is, until now.

Introducing the new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport — the first car priced under $16,000 to offer a navigation system as a standard feature.

The SX4 Sport made its debut in 2008 as the four-door sedan version of the popular SX4 Crossover hatchback.

For 2009, the SX4 Sport gets a few new standard features, including 60/40-split tumble-and-fold rear seat, driver and passenger armrests, and best of all, the fantastic Suzuki TRIP navigation system.

TRIP (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information, and Play) uses technology from Garmin, Navteq, and MSN to provide users a phenomenal navigation system that goes well beyond basic directions.

Features include an adjustable 4.3-inch flip-up color touch screen, customized view preferences, voice activation, and GPS-assisted turn-by-turn directions.

But that’s just the beginning.

Available MSN Direct features include real-time traffic information, weather forecasts, news reports, stock quotes, movie times, and even a gas station finder that locates the lowest-priced fuel in town.

The system also comes pre-loaded with millions of points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, parks, ATMs, and Suzuki dealerships.

There is even a Suzuki "Way of Life" icon that provides what they refer to as "lifestyle-oriented" destinations, such as "hip" music venues, popular surf sports and cool road-trip attractions.

The navigation system is fully integrated with the audio system, and can hold up to 2 gigabytes MP3 files, play audio books, and read SD cards. An iPod interface is also available.

Of course, while knowing where you’re going is definitely important, it’s equally important that you have a good time getting there.

The Suzuki SX4 Sport does not disappoint—it’s a total blast to drive.

Powered by a 2.0-liter, 143-horsepower, four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the SX4 Sport is a fun, spunky little car with terrific handling and great get-up-and-go.

An optional four-speed automatic is available for $1,100. (But really, why ruin the fun?)

The inside of the vehicle is remarkably roomy for a car that looks so compact from the outside. Cargo space is quite ample, especially with the addition of the split rear seat.

Visibility is great, too. The driver’s seat is positioned nice and high, and great big windows provide a terrific view of your surroundings. (There’s nothing I hate more than sitting down low in a vehicle and not being able to see what’s going around me.)

The 2009 SX4 Sport comes in three trim levels: Sport, Sport Technology, and Sport Touring.

Sport models start at $15,599 (plus $660 freight) and come equipped with power windows/doors/mirrors, air conditioning, AM/FM (and XM-ready) radio with single-disc in-dash CD player, four speakers, and MP3/WMA playback, keyless entry, rear window defroster, 17-inch alloy wheels, and the basic TRIP system.

Standard safety features include daytime running lamps, a height-adjustable steering column, height-adjustable driver and front passenger safety belts, three-point safety belts for all five passengers, a tire-pressure monitoring system, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, driver and passenger front and side air bags, side curtain air bags, front and rear crumple zones, and front and rear side-impact door beams.

Sport Technology models start at $16,399 and add cruise control, leather steering wheel with controls for audio and cruise control, fog lamps, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and the upgraded navigation system with MSN Direct features such as real-time traffic.

Sport Touring models start at $17,399 and add automatic climate control, heated outside mirrors, SmartPass keyless entry and remote start system, electronic stability control with traction control, and an upgraded audio system with six-disc in-dash CD player and nine total speakers (including two tweeters and one subwoofer).

For 2009, Suzuki has added a new entry-level model called simply the SX4 Sedan.

This model comes in three trim levels (priced between $13,339 and $15,139), none of which has standard navigation.

The drivetrain is the same one found in the Sport models, and the body styling is very similar, although Sport models have a few features, such as a sporty "aero" body kit, that change the look somewhat.

Based on 2008 EPA fuel economy estimates, SX4 Sport models with manual transmissions get 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway. Models with automatic transmissions get 22 city/30 highway.

Overall, the SX4 is a great value – economical, loaded with standard features, and so much fun to drive.

Oh, and if you’re ever out on the road somewhere in the Metroplex and see a girl pulled over on the side of the road crying over a confusing map, that’s just me trying to find my way to a new restaurant. Don’t worry — I’ll be fine.

Besides, I can always call my mom for directions…

The automotive columns of Jennifer R. Williams appear regularly in the Star-Telegram. Contact her at autoscribejennifer@yahoo.com