During the course of a 16-hour long winter drive a year ago, I came to appreciate the Suzuki SX4 five-door wagon.
For a base price of around $16,000, it offered all-wheel-drive, a tall comfortable interior, stylish outerwear, neatly tailored innerwear, and the reliability expected from Suzuki.
I see a lot of them on the road—especially when hanging in northern climates. They do everything, and on a budget.
What if you could get all that I liked in the SX4 wagon, but in a more conventional sedan? Could I do without all-wheel-drive for a sportier feel? The 2008 SX4 Sedan answers these questions.
SX4 wagons are distinguished by their forward-reaching A-pillars and resulting glass panels between them and the doors. It looks pretty good on a crossover, but I thought it might seem weird on a sedan. Actually, it looks handsome once you adjust. The best part is that the pillars enable a very tall roof that provides cavernous interior space. Just step right in—SUV style. A tall rear deck covers a second cave for luggage. These tall body proportions could look ungainly, but stylists fitted 17" alloy wheels, a sporty black grille, side rocker moldings, and large tail lamps to balance the design. Everything turns out pretty good and looks much more expensive than its price would suggest.
Interior fittings and forms are functional, but also thoughtfully created. Large analog gauges, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with integral audio/cruise controls, easy to use automatic climate control, power windows, power heated mirrors, tilt wheel, CD/MP3 audio system, height-adjustable driver's seat, and alloy strips on the center dash are very nice - especially for an entry-level compact. XM Satellite Radio and Bluetooth connectivity are available at extra cost. There are some hard plastics on the doors and dash, but they will endure and they help keep the price reasonable. Safety is enhanced by dual front airbags, front seat-mounted airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Under the SX4 stubby hood is a 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that generates 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. I prefer the five-speed manual transmission to wring as many ponies as possible from the baby block, however city drivers might prefer the available 4-speed automatic transmission. A zero maintenance timing chain, speed-sensitive power steering, and 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes make the car a pleasure to own. Fuel economy ratings of 23/31 mpg city/highway (according to the new 2008 EPA standards) conserve your paycheck.
Looking at the specs, you might not expect much from the SX4. However, a small car with 143 hp zips down the road energetically. It is quite happy cruising at 80 mph all day long. An independent front/torsion beam rear suspension soaks up bumps well enough and has fun on the corners. Wide tires, mounted on 17" alloys, have plenty of grip. Never did I feel like the car was going to heave-ho. Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes imbue confidence that there is a safety net should the worst happen.
Nobody is going to confuse the SX4's comfort with that of a mid-size car, but it is completely livable during daily commutes or occasional longer trips. Four people are completely comfortable under the sedan's sky dome roof. All that I've described comes to $21,495, including a 100,000-km/5-year powertrain limited warranty, 24/7/365 roadside assistance, warranty repair courtesy car—and a full tank of gas. That, and all the SX4 offers, should be enough to lure at least a few drivers away from the Chevy Aveo, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa.
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