Suzuki's a car company on the move, thanks to lightning quick responses to market changes and conditions, and a sense for what's going to be hot down the road.

This summer's no different in that regard. With the market flooding with hatchbacks, Suzuki is standing out in the crowd by introducing a compact sedan.

	The 2007 Suzuki SX4. Click image for larger version.

The new model, due out this fall, is the SX4 four-door sedan that reportedly has more room than Honda's Civic or Toyota's Corolla. Yet prices will be between roughly $13,000 to $18,000.

It's powered by a 2.0 liter, 143 horsepower four-cylinder engine and comes equipped with such features as four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, driver and front passenger air bags and seat mounted front and side air bags and side curtain air bags.

Fuel mileage figures are unavailable.

The sedan will be a companion to the well-regarded SX4 hatchback.

The SX4 hatchback has a station wagon-like style with a waistline that starts low and gets higher as it continues down the side of the car, creating a fashionable wedge design. The front end of the car has a resemblance to other members of the Suzuki family.

With prices starting at $14,999 for the SX4 hatchback and $16,399 for the SX4 Sport hatchback, the car is priced right at the heart of the action in its segment.

Another drawing card, especially for the Pittsburgh region, is that the SX4 comes with standard all-wheel drive. Not a single one of the other competitors in this segment can make that statement, and for Northeasterners, that may be all they need to know. The "intelligent all-wheel drive" system can be operated in three settings, using a console-mounted switch.

The SX4 is powered by a 143 horsepower, 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine backed by either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Fuel economy estimates are 24 mpg city and 30 highway.

Standard safety features include an electronic stability program with traction control, anti-lock brakes, side curtain air bags, side impact air bags, driver and front passenger side impact air bags and front seat air bags.

Meanwhile, the XL-7, an all-new mid-sized crossover that can be equipped with a third-row seat, will become the flagship of the Suzuki line.

Power comes from a 3.6 liter V-6 with 252 horsepower that is rated at 18/24 mpg for front-wheel drive versions and 17/23 mpg for the all-wheel drive version.

It comes in three trims -- XL-7, Luxury and Limited. The top two models can be had in both five- and seven-passenger configuration.

The XL-7 has a long list of standard features, including four air bags, tire pressure monitoring system, antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, traction control and electronic stability program. Cruise control, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks and mirrors also are standard.