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.

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 vehicle
The 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.