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Suzuki Motor Corp. figures it has respect, so now it seeks esteem.

That’s expected to come with the introduction of the new l995 1/2 Esteem sedan. It’s a rather bold move for a manufacturer known for making sport/utility vehicles.

The Esteem is the Japanese auto company’s first entry into the highly competitive subcompact car market. The four-door sedan combines European styling and a wide array of standard features.

“I’m looking for my first allocation in the latter part of April,” said Jim Webb, general manager of Butler Hyundai-Suzuki. “I’m pretty excited about it. The car will offer an alternative to small-car buyers of Toyota, Nissan and Honda.”

A lot of subcompact economy sedans have all the sophistication of a box. But the Esteem has some flair — not easy to do with a small car — and embraces aerodynamic lines like those of larger vehicles.

With overall length just a touch over 165 inches, stylists have done a good job of achieving curving lines that flow over the car. Front and rear styling elements are balanced, with a front end and hood well-proportioned to the rear deck.

The body lines don’t give the impression that someone sawed off the front or back just because they ran out of room.

Available in base GL or upscale GLX, the Esteem is a prime example that a small car can offer comfort, convenience and performance within the limitations of size.

The interior space is equivalent to a larger size. Five passengers are seated in a chair-height mode instead of stretching out the front and chopping off rear-seat legroom.

Front-seat legroom is 42.3 inches, with 34.1 in the rear. That matches the seating room in compacts and even some midsized models. The interior offers 97.5 cubic feet of space, which Suzuki says is the most in its class.

The Esteem’s placement of instruments is almost standard. The analog speedometer is directly ahead of the driver and the GLX-only tachometer is to the left, a departure from the more conventional arrangement with both dead ahead.

There’s no oil-pressure gauge to monitor the engine when using the five-speed gearbox, but there’s an oil-warning indicator just to the left of the tachometer. That’s at least a small safety step for heavy-footed drivers who want to play with the redline on the tachometer when going through the gears.

The front bucket seats are divided by the usual console that holds the shift lever for either the five-speed transmission or the four-speed automatic. The upper portion of the console holds stereo and climate controls, and there’s nothing to confuse first-time drivers.

Those who slide behind the wheel may be in for a little surprise. The engine is a 1.6-liter (97-cubic-inch), single-overhead- cam, 16-valve four-cylinder. Horsepower is rated at 98, not exactly in muscle-car territory, but then in five-speed form the car weighs only 2,183 pounds.

Power peaks at 6,000 rpm, and at those revolutions, the four valves per cylinder are beginning to flow a lot of a ir. An experienced driver with a five-speed isn’t going to be bringing up the rear when the light goes green.

For the more mundane types, the four-speed automatic raises the curb weight to 2,240 pounds. That isn’t much of a jump, so I’d expect that even in automatic form performance will be good.

One of the more difficult engineering tricks is to get a good ride and quiet operation out of a small, light car. Suzuki does it by sticking with the known characteristics of MacPherson struts, coil springs and four-wheel independent suspension.

New is an advanced engine-mount technology that produces a smoother, quieter operating mode. The package achieves a level generally associated with bigger automobiles.

If you want to go upstream to the GLX, a number of power items like windows, locks and outside mirrors become standard equipment. Also available is an optional anti-lock braking system, which isn’t offered for the base GL and includes cruise control.

Marketing de mographics ind icate Suzuki is going for younger buyers who want more room. The company doesn’t believe these people are sport/utility buyers.

“I don’t believe they’re buyers of the Sidekick or Samurai,” Webb said. “I think we’ll find they’re 25 to 35 years old and need an inexpensive small sedan.”

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but Suzuki says the car will be competitive.

“I’m guessing it’s going to run around $11,500,” Webb said. “But that’s all it is, a guess. It may well run less than that.”

1995 Suzuki Esteem GL Model year: 1995-1/2.Base price: Not announced.Type: Front engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, subcompact sedan.Engine: 1.6-liters, SOHC 4, 16 valves, fuel injected, 98-horsepower, 96 foot-pounds of torque.Transmission: Five-speed manual.Mileage: Not available.Wheelbase: 97.6 inches.Length: 165.2 inches.Width: 66.7 inches.Height: 53.9 inches.Curb weight: 2,138 pounds.Options: AM-FM stereo, four-speed automatic transmission.