2008 SUZUKI SX4

DRIVEN AN AVERAGE OF ONLY 10,300 MILES PER YEAR! Far below the national average!

While the 2008 Suzuki SX4 might not be your top pick if gas mileage and cargo space are primary concerns, it's worth a look -- particularly in hatchback form -- if you're very tall or in need of an affordable all-weather vehicle.

Although Suzuki is a small-time player in the United States, it's among the automotive giants in Japan -- and its success is based largely on its ability to build desirable small cars. Oddly enough, Suzuki has struggled to come up with subcompact and compact entries Americans want to buy. In recent years, the company has even turned to its partner General Motors, and sourced cars from the GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) plant in Korea. However, Suzuki finally turned the corner last year with the introduction of the SX4 hatchback, an attractively styled four-door hatchback with solid performance, an ample features list and standard all-wheel drive. It's not a best-in-class entry just yet, but for buyers in need of a low-cost snow vehicle, the Suzuki SX4 makes a lot of sense.