What the Hell’s a Suzuki’s SX4? I know it’s my job to know about these things, but I swear the test car greeting me upon my return from Old Blighty was the first one I’ve ever seen. If first impressions last, this tall, decidedly Japanese runabout says Subaru Forrester meets Scion xA on the suburban side of town. (In keeping with the parlance of our times, Suzuki shuns the “w” word and calls the SX4 a crossover.) A quick walk around revealed four big wheels, four big disc brakes, a Prius style double A-pillar and an AWD badge. Hmmm…? Could this sub-radar Suzuki be a sleeper?
Every other passenger vehicle in Suzuki’s domestic lineup dorkidly screams nerd; the Reno, Aerio and Forenza all look pasty, awkward and four-eyed. The almost-but-not-quite butch SX4 offers a clear break from its geeky brothers, and a much appreciated change of direction for the otherwise bland brand. The SX4’s sharp proboscis confidently displays the samurai-slash family logo. The handsomely sculpted hood is reminiscent of Audi’s latest TT. Despite its lack of an intercooler, the lower-level air intake is quite EVO-ish. Not bad at all.
From the side, the SX4’s profile offers a strange amalgamation of standard issue sedan sheetmetal and seductive designs cues lifted from a certain retro-British roadster. Clock the SX4’s blistered black plastic wheel arches and the rear wheels pushed out to the corners. From the back, black plastic wraps around the faux-chrome lower-bumper. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there’s a MINI blushing somewhere.
The SX4’s interior is resolutely lower-middle class; no effort was made to hide or disguise its inexpensive materials. And? The SX4’s designers used their plastic palette to create a cabin that’s a model of clarity and ergonomic ease. From a handsome, common sense radio head unit to funky air vents to a right-sized steering wheel, the SX4 proves that cost constriction is no barrier to good design. Sure, the helm and stick-shift are Rubbermaid, and the seats offer meager support or comfort. But this $15k vehicle is no penalty box.
Such modest money buys gadgets and gizmos aplenty: AC, six-disc in dash CD, daytime running lights, intermittent wipers, rear wiper, power locks with remote entry, power windows with driver auto-down, a exterior thermometer, four-mode trip computer, 60/40 split folding rear seat, ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), six airbags and driver selectable AWD. An old S-Class sold less for more.
The SX4’s on-demand AWD system is a particularly pukka party trick, reminiscent of Subarus of yore. For daily duty, the SX4 is a front-driver. Flip a switch near the handbrake and i-AWD kicks in. In this mode, 95% of the SX4’s torque is routed to the front wheels. Should either of the fronts lose purchase, up to 50% of the power is sent to the back wheels. If you get stuck in sand (posing for the requisite PR lifestyle surfer dude pictures), you can switch to full-time four wheel-drive and lock up the transfer case for an even split.
And if you have to split in a hurry, the SX4 is a corner carver par excellence. The base model’s blessed with fat 205 tires (the same size as a BMW 328i’s hoops) and a smartly-tuned chassis; the Sport version gains stability control (unique to this class). Surprisingly, body roll and grip are never an issue. Even better, the SX4’s rack and pinion steering is a revelation; the tiniest tiller inputs deliver an instant change of direction. Running in i-AWD I tackled my favorite corners as fast as I could in my (gulp) Subaru WRX.
And the hits keep happening. With a 2.0-liter DOHC I4 harnessing 143 scrappy little fillies, this little Suzy has some guts. To gain access to the mill’s 136 pound-feet of torque, your hand never leaves the stick shift knob but A) you’re only fighting against 2800lbs. and B) it’s fun. Short gearing ensures that the engine is constantly on the boil, while the user friendly clutch makes downshifting a breeze. OK, you can’t call a zero to sixty in 8.3 seconds car fast, but it ain’t slow neither.
There are downsides. The SX4’s ride, especially on the highway, is rocky and worrisome (blame the torture beam rear suspension). Though the Suzuki’s engine note isn’t especially dissonant, wind and engine noise are intrusive at speed. The high-pitched squeaks that tells you to buckle up, close the door and turn off the damn headlights are skull-splittingly awful. And 80mph puts over 4000rpm on the clock; no car is more in need of a sixth-gear.
For roughly the same money as a Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit or Nissan Versa, the Suzuki SX4 provides a larger, more powerful wagon — “crossover” with AWD, distinctive styling and hoonery. If Suzuki creates more driver friendly vehicles like the SX4, they’ll finally be building a brand worth remembering.
[Suzuki provided the vehicle, insurance and a tank of gas.]
Listen to JL and RF discuss the SX4 below.
117 Comments on “Review: 2007 Suzuki SX4...”
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a well-balanced review that makes important points: cars don’t have to be superfast to be fun, and don’t have to be expensive to make you feel good.
suzuki already made that point over here in europe with the new swift, which offers most of the delights of a mini without the annoying retro-ness.
The SX4 sounds like a nice alternative to a Mini, for less. Minus the 1960s imagery of course, which is perhaps part of the Mini’s price of admission.
My first car was a Suzuki. I have never quite overcome the shock of driving with the cheapest plastics ever to grace a car. To this day, I will go the extra mile for a nice interior. In fact, it’s an important factor in my buying decision.
I suspect that a large number of old Suzuki buyers become Audi buyers.
It’s a Fiat Sedici…
Awsome! one of my early cars was a Suzuki Swift GT. I loved it! It was fun to drive, wasn’t perfect but was fun for what we payed for it at the time, $2600 used.
Fun car, gets good milage and affordable that is what I look for.
I have to say that this is a case where the cheap materials are a case of you get what you pay, but at least the buttons and switches are layed out well. I am strictly middle class at the moment, and I am certainly not entitled to leather wrapped steering wheels and chrome shifters. But I will look for a well layed out interior and good mechanicals. This looks sensibly fun! Waahoo!
Yes it is a Fiat Sedici. Designed in Italy by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s ItalDesign group.. I am not suprised, this is a cool loookin ride. I was wondering how a lowly cheap little people carrier got such good looks. Now I know.
I would look at the ones I see around here out of the corner of my eyes, hoping that no one would catch me looking at a -gasp- suzuki!! But now i can say, to tsk-tsking car buffs that it is an Italian design, and THATS what I am looking at, and watch them wither. HAHA.
But do i want one more than, say, a new Golf, Mazda 3? hmmmmm.
Good review, Jonny.
I normally can’t stand these little SUV-lets but the styling on this one is nice. Then I see it is a Fiat Sedici from by Giugiaro’s ItalDesign and I know why it looks right. Giuriaro seems to know things about proportions that elude other designers. I’ve always been partial to his designs and my daily driver, a Saab 9000, is from his drawing table.
Now if they put in some good seats it could be a really nice little car. Why do manufacturers usually go cheap when it comes to seats? It can’t be all that much more expensive to put in decent seats!
well it’s cheaper than a new mazda 3 and nothing in that price range has awd. that’s actually pretty cool. still i think they need to work on that styling a bit, but it’s an improvement. the logo on suzukis is always too big. that samurai s just doesn’t work for cars the way it does for crotch rockets.
Wow…I had to check to be sure this wasn’t April 1 or something. I have never heard of (nor seen) one of these yet.
The biggest thing working against Suzuki is Birmingham’s resident car sales wack-job, “Suzukiman” who promises 0 down and $99 a month on any new Suzuki. The fine print indicates that this is for the first three months, after which you will be making full-sized payments. Since this guy gets better rotation than any other car advertiser–and since Suzuki doesn’t seem to run national, corporate ads–the brand will be forever tainted here as the sub-Kia option for people with credit scores beginning with “4″.
Still, glad to see the underdog bring a decent product for their segment. Cheap cars don’t have to be bland and crappy!
please don’t compare the SX4 to the suzuki badged daewoos, and call them brothers. You make Suzuki lovers cry.
btw, why doesn’t suzuki give the US another Small SUV. My samurai is getting old
Wow. Seems like a lot of vehicle for the money.
I searched for a Swift GT years back for a beater – couldn’t find one anywhere. 100HP in a car weighing under a ton had to be fun.
Is the cornering really THAT good? This thing might actually justify a trip to the dealer for a test drive.
And BTW – on many cars – the seats are the second most expensive “system” after the motor. (Meaning more than the transmission.) Probably not in this car, but in higher end vehicles when you start adding 8 motors plus heaters to each seat, it adds up. Reportedly the heated/cooled seats in the 2003 Navigator were over $1,000/piece.
I always route for Suzuki. The Swift GT was quite a little sleeper with some personality. This is a nice, clean design that is slightly muscular in a natural way. With AWD, there really isn’t much that can compare at this price. Suzukis tend not to obtain good gas mileage from recent reviews I have read (Reno, SX4, Grand Vitara) and tend to have less-than refined engines. Anyone know of reliability on Suzukis these days? I wish Honda would have made this!
Noley,
The 9000 has always been my favorite Saab. Sweet look and practical.
What is the MPG (e.p.a est. or better, real world) on this puppy?
EPA: 24/30 for the AWD version with auto. The manual is a couple notches worse…
The Reno has Sub par fuel Economy, because its a Daewoo. The Aerio is a Suzuki, if i remember was rated low to mid 30’s. which isn’t that bad because the car is pretty big in comparison to a yaris (and its quite dated)
Suzuki Reliability like in the past, isn’t particularly bad nor excellent, nothing to fear. You treat it well, it will treat you well.
As a past owner of a Geo Metro (aka The Mousecar), this review brings back a lot of memories: A cheap interior that can be desirable, nice performance out of low horsepower, fun handling in traffic.
This car was definitely on my short list for a next new ride, and the review just kicked it up a couple of notches.
Nice review and podcast. The word that Jonny used to describe the interior in the podcast – “honest” – really rings true here. Mies van der Rohe would approve.
I’ve been wanting to drive one of these, but the two dealers nearest me closed down. One is still shown as a dealer on the Suzuki site, but when I go by there they have no Suzukis.
As I told a Suzuki rep at the auto show, these dealers picked an odd time to stop selling Suzukis, as the new SX4 and XL7 strike me as good vehicles.
Can’t say I see the resemblance to an MX-5 or TT, but my current eyeglass prescription is three or four years old, may be time for new lenses.
The SX4 sport even has standard stability control. Together with the AWD this should make it an excellent choice for winter driving.
I’m not collecting reliability data on this one yet, but will if I can round up a couple dozen owners.
My site’s page for the SX4:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/SX4.php
WOW.
2800lbs with AWD and that much space? VW Rabbit just got owned. I don’t know what’s so crossover about it, though, looks like a spacious hatchback to me.
I wonder where all these compact fastback wagons went. AWD Sentra was awesome. Are people that scared of the word “Wagon”?…
We need to find a way to ditch “Station Wagon” terminology. It’s a century-old term, means basically nothing today, but evokes the Griswold’s road trip to many people.
I’m cool with Variant, Avant, Combi, 5-door, Touring, or Estate. Or make something up.
F*** “crossover.” That whole segment name sounds like a 12-step program for SUVaholics.
designs cues lifted from a certain retro-British roadster.
Not to be a pedant, but a roadster is a 2-seater with no roof. The Mini is many things, but it isn’t one of those.
For the price, this looks like a great vehicle… probably the only compelling option for a new car in the same price range as a Honda Fit.
I think I read that Suzuki may be doing a higher HP (perhaps turbo) version of this. (or maybe that was C&D being hopeful).
Either way, Suzuki has a marketing challenge ahead of them to make this a success. I think most people have Suzuki off of their radar screens. This will hopefully represent a new Blip.
Suzuki won the 2006 International “Super 1600″ Rally Championship for Manufacturers with this car and plans to enter this car in three World Rally Championship events in 2007 in advance of a full assault on the championship in 2008.
The analogies with the Subaru WRX are appropo as Suzuki plans to offer a rally based version of the SX4 for sale in 2008.
http://www.suzuki-wrc.com/e/index.html
I took a good look at all the SX4 models at a car show in Sept. Even the base model would make a great second car.
“Torture beam” — loved that one Johnny.
If you think this has Mini styling cues, you haven’t seen the “real” Swift.
http://www.suzukiplusz.hu/m_arlista/suzuki-swift-nagy.jpg
Not to be a pedant, but a roadster is a 2-seater with no roof. The Mini is many things, but it isn’t one of those.
Even though I can read (understand) most anything written for general-public consumption, no other automotive site sends me to Google to look up words as frequently as this site does! I mean this in a positive sense: The authors & commenters language skills here at TTAC sometimes suprise.
Example: pedant => Wikipedia says: “A pedant, or pædant, is a formalist or precisionist in teaching or scholarship. The corresponding female noun is pedantess. The term comes from the French pédant…or its source Italian pedante “teacher,” schoolmaster, pedant.”
Who knew?
(Not yours truly, obviously.)
Anyway, I’ve been wondering if the Suzuki SX4 might be a vehicle to consider when my wifes’ 2000 Suabru wagon needs to replaced at some future point in time.
Thanks for the review. :-)
Great review Jonny. You didn’t let the car’s inadequacies overshadow it’s selling points, given Suzuki’s design intent and market for this model. This car proves that you can have fun in a daily driver, all within a budget. I’m impressed that Suzuki gives us 3-mode AWD, pleasing design cues throughout, and a kit of creature comforts -all for $15k.
I wonder if the “torture beam” could be dampened with the right tires -was it equipped with run flats?
It really does handle that well.
Drive one. You’ll like it.
Hey GlennS:
The real sense of “pedant” as used above is “pedantic”, meaning overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning/Being showy of one’s knowledge, often in a boring manner… Often used to describe a person who emphasizes his/her knowledge through the use of vocabulary
(wikki)
Also, regarding looking stuff up, if you have or can get Mozilla’s free Firefox web browser, any time you come across a word (or anything else) you want to look up, you can just right click on it and a menu pops up with “search web for ____” which is a FANTASTIC feature.
Rock on.
I just spent three weeks with the SX4 – two with the AWD, one with the base model FWD. Took the AWD waaaay up north through Sudbury and past Elliott Lake and came away with a great respect and fondness for its handling of rabbly twisty roads. 1400 kms in two days also left me with a deep appreciation of its meager appetite too – I spent less than $125 on that trip.
The tall profile made it vulnerable to strong winds, had to keep both hands on the wheel on wide open major highways. Having seen pics of the Rally bred version, I can imagine it would handle really well with a similar drop kit.
Of the two – the FWD had quicker throttle response and felt lighter.
Totally agree with you on the need for sixth gear – I found myself constantly wanting to shift.
Also… the turn signals are far too quiet. :))
Great review Jonny.
Lesley brings up an interesting point or two.
We don’t get a “base” FWD model — all SX$s in the US (she’s in Canada) are AWD.
As far as fuel economy goes… I was driving around like a jackass 50% of the time (dropping the clutch) and moving at 80mph the rest (er… so maybe that’s 100%).
I saw 24.2mpg
Jonny:
Apparently there’s an optional automatic. Did you check that one out? If so, any impressions?
Lesley, e-mailed you.
JL, sounds like this car means Suzuki is making fun small cars again. it’s what they’re best at, and I too (like most people on the board) have fond memories of the old Swift GTi (or GT after VW sued ‘em).
Actually, I once rode in a 200hp Suzuki Forsa. Gah.
Jonny: you mentioned the engine noise was intrusive but was the engine smooth and free-revving ?
8.3 seconds to 60 is not bad at all.
This seems like a very good buy especially with the 7 year, 100K mile, no deductible, fully transferable warranty.
According to Edmunds, the auto hits 60mph in…wait for it… 11 seconds. I didn’t drive the auto.
8.3 might also be a bit optomistic for the manual. That would be a full second faster than the Ford Fusion with the I4 that I’m still in love with. And… the Ford is only $2,000 more. Still, the SX4’s engine is smooth enough and likes to be in the 4000-5000rpm band most of all.
Actually, because of the gearing, that’s where it will live most of its life.
I was lucky enough to have a shakedown ride in the 2004 Suzuki Swift+ rally car that won the P3 Canadian Championship – it was tight and nimble as a flea! So I was really eager to get into the SX4. I’m hoping to get one as an official car (as I did with the Caliber R/T) this fall – it would be a blast.
I drove the automatic at CCOTY, and while I did like the car, rated it second, behind the new Rabbit which came with stick. It’s just so much quicker in a manual. Although the auto wasn’t a total slushbox.
I too found the engine somewhat … buzzy at high revs.
My AWD press car was out of alignment and developed a steadily worsening steering wheel vibration – as well as a blown speaker. The second car had none of these problems.
Lesley — could you confirm or deny my impression of the handling? I found it to be way, way above what you would except in a $14,999 car.
The SX4 really had the moves.
Absolutely! I wanted the little bugger. The northern roads are unbelievably rugged – many of them hug sheer rock face, with guardrail and water on the other side, so I really had a chance to push it, with and without AWD engaged. It was tight! I actually laughed out loud a few times driving it.
(check out these rock walls!
http://www.dodgetrucks.org/home/lesley/SUD2.jpg
http://www.dodgetrucks.org/home/lesley/SUD4.jpg
Although.. did you find the revs took a while to go down – maybe a drive-by-wire throttle thing?
The base model was quicker to respond – a lot quicker. Probably a weight issue. It threw me a bit… no power keyfob so it took me a while to find the bugger in the fleet parking lot, lol. Usually I press the button and look to see which one beckons.
I’ve uploaded three of the pics I took of the SX4 at the show.. two of them were taken in a dark tent with bright sun pouring through a the window so excuse the halo effect.
http://www.onthehoist.com/pics/ttac/sx4-1.jpg
http://www.onthehoist.com/pics/ttac/sx4-2.jpg (interior..insert cupholder joke here..)
http://www.onthehoist.com/pics/ttac/sx4-3.jpg
decidedly Japanese runabout
This is lame johnny…. You need to do more research first. A layman like me know that this sx4 is a carbon copy of fiat vehicle (cant remember the name) and was designed in (drumroll please) ITALY.
@Seth…this was discussed above. ^^
“Suzuki makes CARS?!?”
One problem suzuki has is it really is such a small player. They make great motorcycles, however…
Guess I have too much time on my hands..
This is kissing cousin of fiat sedici minus the diesel(http://paultan.org/archives/2006/04/12/2006-fiat-sedici/)
designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign company
sorry if this was discussed before
i love my scion xB…more room better gas mialge…though i would love AWD…deff a nice car for this class
#
Manufacturer
2006 sales in units
% change
1
GM
4,065,341
-8.7%
2
Ford (incl. PAG)
2,901,090
-8.0%
3
Toyota
2,542,525
+12.5%
4
DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler + Mercedes)
2,390,585
-5.5%
5
Honda
1,509,358
+3.2%
6
Nissan
1,019,249
-5.3%
7
Hyundai (incl. Kia)
749,822
+2.6%
8
Volkswagen (incl. Audi + Bentley)
329,112
+5.9%
9
BMW (incl. Mini + RR)
313,939
+2.1%
10
Mazda
268,786
+4.0%
11
Subaru
200,703
+2.4%
12
Mitsubishi
118,558
-4.4%
13
Suzuki
100,990
+23.0%
14
Porsche
34,227
+7.2%
15
Isuzu
8,614
-29.3%
Suzukis are just flying off the shelves.
0-60 in 11 seconds is just una Mercan.
The Sedici is a badge engineered Suzuki. Suzuki engineered this vehicle; Fiat needed something like this, and the two cooperated, but it’s Suzuki’s doing. This is quite common in Europe, especially.
Seth — it looks Japanese.
That’s my story and… you’re blind if you disagree.
Sounds like two things from the outgoing Aerio SX would have made this car perfect: The seats and the 2.3 liter engine. I drove an Aerio a few months ago and I think the looks are what killed it for most people (including me) because I was impressed as hell with the driving. The engine was powerful and spunky, even better than the comparable Mazda 3s unit of the same displacement I drove. The 5 speed was smooth, if a little rubbery. Amazingly, the seats were some of the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in(don’t laugh, if you look at reviews I’m not the only one to notice this). And the interior had many cool little features for storing your stuff. I can’t say why they didn’t use the Aerio seats, but I’m guessing the reason they didn’t use the faster and torquier 2.3 liter engine was because the AWD transaxle couldn’t handle the extra power reliably. Maybe (hopefully) they’ll figure it out for a sport model somewhere down the road.
I checked this car out at the dealer. Talk about value for money. Knocks my parents Echo on it’s ass. It could use a few more ponies though, at least in the auto version (wife drives auto only). The auto is a just a bit too slow for my liking. Great little car though.
Oh, and Ford? Take note, here is an inexpensive car with a simple but not offensively bad interior. Think maybe you could do something with the Mustang’s crap interior now?
I think all your Comments kind of add up to Suzuki’s image problems. A lot of people don’t know and or are unfamiliar with Suzuki autos and don’t want to buy one. Suzuki is a Huge Automobile company, they have made millions of cars, the company itself has been in business for nearly 100 years, and been making cars for 50+ years. They show a profit nearly every year.
In the states however, tehy got pretty hamered by the Samurai fiasco, and never really recovered.
Their bikes are cool, however. The SV650 has to be the most fun/$ bike out there, and the GSX-R line is faaaast…