Even though the big news from Suzuki this year is their upcoming Kizashi family sedan, they keep plugging away at updating their smallest model, the SX4. It gets a new 148-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine for 2010 and a CVT in lieu of the old four-speed automatic.

These improvements meant we had two outdated tests on the books, so we bought two SX4s to test: A SX4 LE Popular sedan for $17,519 and a SX4 Crossover AWD Technology for $19,998.

Our Crossover includes a removable Garmin navigation system that docks into the top of the dashboard. This is a clever idea, given how good and inexpensive portable navigation systems have become. It’s a long reach to the touch screen, though, and you can’t program it by voice like most other factory systems.

Our 2009 SX4 sedan was middle-of-the-pack in the very competitive small car segment Ratings, but the SX4 Crossover provides a somewhat unique (and more compelling) package–a well-equipped AWD hatchback for not much money. The SX4 has also enjoyed an impressive reliability record in our survey data.

We’ll see if the updates improve the driving experience and fuel economy, two shortcomings of our previous test cars.

—Tom Mutchler