In addition to a good reputation in the compact SUV market, Suzuki is first and foremost a world leader in motorcycle and ATV manufacturing. Delivering legendary performance, the Japanese company once again allowed us to put one of its newest ATVs to the test: the 2008 KingQuad 450 FWD.
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Overall build quality is decent enough to stand up to the competition. |
Styling is very important at Suzuki and the KingQuad is no exception. The design is ultra-sporty, maybe even aggressive, which gives it a unique character. The black-painted wheels add to the vehicle's aggressiveness while creating a stealthy look. Overall build quality is decent enough to stand up to the competition.
Accessories are not what this ATV is about; except for bumpers and underbody skid plates, buyers can't really add anything. However, some features are pretty interesting, like the 12-volt power outlet on the front fender and the polyethylene skid plate. There's also a 2.8-liter water-resistant front storage compartment and rugged steel-tube racks with high-quality wrinkle paint finish for increased durability and scratch resistance. Of course, a trailer hitch comes standard.
Overall ergonomics are good, while the LCD display on the instrument panel improves user-friendliness. Also included are a speedometer, an odometer, two trip meters, a clock, a fuel gauge and so on.
Elsewhere, the T-shaped seat with tapered design allows easy access and excellent rider mobility; you can shift your weight as much as you want to increase the feeling of performance. The seat is a bit firm and the ride height gives you the impression of sitting lower than on many rivals.
Small engine, lightweight vehicleThe 454-cc, 4-valve, SOHC, single-cylinder powerplant is quite resourceful despite a fairly small displacement. Obviously, the light weight of the vehicle is a plus. The engine operates efficiently and is reasonably thrifty due in part to the electronic fuel injection system. The Quadmatic CVT transmission also does a good job.