Friends often ask the same question in different ways: “Why don’t you just drive Ferraris or Maseratis all the time?” Or, “If you’re going to drive to Los Angeles and back, you might as well do it in a top-of-the-line BMW or Lexus, right.”

They’re all good choices, likely fun to drive, and in some instances, impractical.

Instead, my recent, round-trip trek from Sacramento to Pasadena was accomplished just fine, thank you — in a 2008 Suzuki SX4.

Working with the premise that The Weekly Driver reviews are geared toward the lay car-buying public and not speed freaks or the wealthy, the new 2008 Suzuki SX4 seemed like a logical choice (and the choice I was given.)

It costs about half of the what the average new car in the United States now costs, and it averaged 27.8 mpg during the 1,150-mile journey.

In other words, making the trip in a Ferrari and spending how much on gas and worrying about all gawkers and curiosity seekers? That’s fantasy. Making the trip in a sub-compact that used 41.5 gallons of gas at the total cost of about $150? That’s the reality or will be the reality for the masses. And it was for me.

My weekly driver was the SX4 sedan, new for 2008. It adds another few options to the now 14 available SX4 configurations, including the country’s least expensive all-wheel drive car.

The sedan, which replaces the Aerio, has a 2.0-liter, 143-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Throughout my test week, the SX4 performed well. It’s a nimble, tight-maneuvering entry-level sedan. It has substantial leg and head room and a spacious trunk — for its class, of course.

While often advancing in high-speed freeway traffic exceeding 70 mph, the SX4 held its own. As critics have suggested, additional time is needed accelerate to full-speed, on freeway entrances, for example. And while climbing the highest point of my trip, Cuesta Pass (Elevation, 1,552 feet),
north of San Luis Obispo, full throttle was required.

But the Suzuki’s lack of power, similar to other sub-compacts’ personalities, was its ability to swiftly and conveniently maneuver through city traffic and in and out of parking situations.

It rained during several days of my trip, including one 15-minute span in near flash flood conditions. The SX4 wasn’t intimidated, although even the highest speed of multi-speed windshield wipers couldn’t clear the windows fast enough.

For its entry-level status, the SX4 also offers anti-skid braking and steering wheel and cruise control functions.

The new Suzuki may not be as gas mileage efficient as some of category leaders, including the Honda Fit, Scion XD and the new SmartForTwo. But the Sx4 has plenty of other qualities and shoud do well in a competitive field.

Safety Features — Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Standard Features & Equipment — Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat (hatchback), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, intermittent wipers, rear wiper/washer (hatchback), floormats.

Optional Equipment — Roof rails (hatchback), sport suspension (sedan), 205/60R16 tires (hatchback), 205/50R17 tires (sedan), alloy wheels, Automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, heated power mirrors.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 23 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway).

Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,00 miles; Powertrain, 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Base Price Range — $14,1719-$17,251.

Price As Driven  — $16,675.