New Car Review: 2007 Suzuki SX4
Let's say you want a compact, AWD-equipped crossover sport wagon like the Subaru Impreza - but don't have the $18k Subaru wants for this model.Enter the Suzuki SX4.
It's a new model for Suzuki and like the Impreza comes standard with all-wheel-drive and similarly snarky exterior and interior styling. But its base price of $14,999 means it's exactly $3,000 less than the base model '07 Impreza and also one of the least expensive new vehicles with standard AWD you can buy right now. That ought to be a strong inducement to at least give it a look-see if you're in the market for a vehicle of this type.
The SX4 is an attractive, modern-looking car with lots of glass area, especially the oversized windshield, offset on either side by large, fixed quarter windows. This is a nice styling touch and adds to the spacious feel of the interior, at least for the driver and front-seat passenger. The back seats are serviceable for smaller adults and kids, but if you're over six feet tall (as I am) you may find your knees up against the seatbacks - and your head tickling the roof.
The overall design, however, is very classy. The plastics are not shiny and hard (and obviously low-rent), as on some low-end (and even some not-so-low-end) cars and there are tasteful bits of pewter-colored trim plates for accent. Thoughtful touches include molded in beverage holders for the back seat occupants in each door, as well as one built into the rear end of the center console.
All in all, it compares very favorably on aesthetics, fit and finish with vehicles above its price range and comes off looking great compared with those which are cheaper.
Other high points:
The SX4's AWD system has a driver-adjustable function (unlike the Subaru's "permanent" system and most other similar AWD systems on the market.) There is a button on the center console that lets the driver toggle between "2WD," "Auto" and "Lock." In 2WD, engine power goes to the front wheels. In Auto, it is routed to all four wheels, in varying amounts, according to available traction. If the front wheels begin to slip/lose traction, then power is routed to the rear wheels (and vice-versa). "Lock" is designed for making your way through heavy snow and so on -- and locks the power split in a 50-50 ratio, front to rear.
It's nice to have the ability to adjust the system yourself, as driving conditions warrant -- and there should be at least a slight fuel economy/power benefit to be gained from being able to operate the SX4 in 2WD mode, since there's less inertial load for the engine to overcome.
The SX4 also has a pretty powerful engine for its class/price range. The standard 2.0 liter engine is rated at 143 horsepower, or about 10-20 more than typical front-drive economy car in this price range. It's not going to win you any races against the 173 horsepower Impreza - but then again, you'll have that extra three grand in your pocket for consolation.
This engine does its best work through the standard five-speed manual transmission -- as is true of most small, economy-oriented cars of this type. A four-speed automatic is available optionally. Thus equipped, performance is so-so. The engine has to be worked pretty hard to get decent acceleration and you'll notice frequent (and fairly noisy) downshifts, especially if you're dealing with mountain roads and steep grades. This is the car's biggest, most obvious deficit relative to competitors like the Impreza, which have the reserve power on tap to handle such conditions with less obvious strain (and racket). If you do live in a hilly/mountainous region, you'll probably be much happier with the five-speed version -- though the automatic model does ok down in the valley and on generally flat terrain.
And again, you'll have that extra three grand in your pocket.
You'll also have a pretty nicely equipped vehicle for your just barely $15k . The standard SX4 comes with 16-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, keyless entry, ABS brakes, side-impact and curtain air bags - and a not-bad stereo with single-slot CD player and MP3 capability. The optional Sport trim adds climate control AC, remote start, heated outside mirrors, upgrade audio system with six-disc CD changer and secondary controls mounted on the steering wheel, plus electronic stability control, an unusual feature for a car at this price point. And this loaded version of the SX4 is priced at $17,399 (that's with the automatic transmission), or about $500 less than the base MSRP of the Impreza. (And that's the base Impreza with the manual transmission; with the optional automatic, the Impreza's base MSRP climbs to $18,795.)
Toyota used to have an SX4 competitor in the AWD-equipped Matrix. But that vehicle is no longer offered with AWD and still costs more than the AWD-equipped Suzuki does.
About the only thing you don't get is a long-lived warranty. The SX4's three year/36,000 mile coverage is not so great. But again, you get that three grand in your pocket to make you feel better.
So if the SX4 seems pretty sweet overall and worth checking out, it is. Especially if you've been looking at front-drive economy cars like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.
Or the Matrix, for that matter.
These are all fine vehicles, but they don't offer AWD and because of their "name brand" status, you're less likely to be able to negotiate as favorable a deal for yourself as you might down at your local Suzuki store. The fact that Suzuki is more hungry for business is something that can work to your advantage.
And if you were pondering an Impreza, by all means, continue to do so. It, too, is a fine vehicle with lots to recommend it.
Except for the fact that it'll cost you at least three grand more to get into one.
