Suzuki SX4 sedan a surprisingly ‘uncompact’ compact

Suzuki SX4 sedan a surprisingly ‘uncompact’ compact

Wheels

2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan
By: Neil Moore

In this job, I’ve had the opportunity to test some flashy cars. This makes for good reading, but doesn’t reflect the reality of most Canadian car buyers. Truth is, most purchases are in the compact segment, which accounts for nearly one quarter of our car market.

In 2007, Suzuki came forward with a solid entry in the SX4 hatchback. Content-rich and available with all wheel drive, this vehicle has been selling like hotcakes and is expected to do well in 2008.

In the fall of ‘07, the hatch was joined by the SX4 sedan – tested here. This vehicle, which has already sold 750 units since October, so impressed the journalists at AJAC’s (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) Testfest event, they selected it as runner up in the “Best New Small Car” category – second to the German built Saturn Astra, and ahead of Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Lancer and the Ford Focus.

The SX4 sedan is tall in architecture, yet its wedge shape, large wheel openings with flared fenders, and aggressive front fascia and grille give it a sporty appearance. It is a big improvement over its predecessor, the Aerio, which with its tall sides and small wheel arches, looked awkward.

The SX4 sedan comes in only two flavours: base and sport. My tester, in Sport trim, was decked out in body-coloured front and rear valances, side sill extensions and 17-inch alloy wheels. The effect was subtle – not over the top.

All SX4s are powered by a competent 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that delivers at 143 horsepower and 136 lb/ft of torque. That may not put SX4 right at the top of its segment, but it’s still more powerful than such favourites as Civic and Corolla.

You can get the SX4 with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, as tested. All wheel drive, which is available on the hatch, is not an option on the sedan.

I drove an AWD hatchback last year and was impressed with how well it handled our snowy roads. Still, the new FWD sedan was no slouch during a recent winter blast and with a decent set of winter tires and prudent driving, I likely fared better than those relying only on an SUV and their bravado.

Fuel economy is another high point with all SX4 models. In sport trim, the sedan uses a touch more fuel than the base model, but with manual transmission it is rated at a thrifty 9.5/6.8L/100 km (30/42 mpg) city/hwy and with automatic at 9.2/6.7L/100 km (31/42 mpg) city/highway.

Acceleration is reasonably snappy with the manual, and thanks to a chassis that was fine-tuned in Europe, the ride is stable, handling is responsive and there’s a minimum of body roll in the corners. The car feels solid, attesting to its rigidity, and you notice minimal road noise in the cabin – even at highway speeds.

Stopping power is good with the SX4’s standard anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and electronic brake-force distribution. Four-wheel discs are available on the Sport model.

Also standard are driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags.

Getting in and out of this vehicle is easy, with its wide door openings and high seating. In front, you enjoy a commanding view of the road with plenty of headroom. In back, passengers sit even higher, also allowing them a good view of the road.

This car may be a compact, but with an interior volume of 2.94 cubic metres (104 cu. ft.), the SX4 rivals many mid-size sedans. So does the generous trunk at 439 litres (15.5 cu. ft.), which is larger than both Camry and Accord.

Also surprising is the amount of standard equipment you get for a base price of $17,195 (add $1,100 for automatic). This includes air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power locks and windows, AM/FM/MP3/CD four-speaker sound system that is not only satellite-ready, but offers speed-sensing volume control. Another nicety you wouldn’t expect at this price point is the information display atop the centre stack that gives you time, temp, fuel consumption and range.

Go for the Sport at $18,995, and instead of manual air conditioning, you get automatic climate control. You also get heated outside mirrors and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system with subwoofer, six-CD changer and steering wheel audio controls. As with the base model, add $1,100 for auto.

It’s surprising how much car you get today for $20K or less. Not many years ago, compacts were all about compromise – trading ‘luxury’ amenities and power for reasonable fuel economy and a smaller dent in your wallet.

But with today’s crop of compact vehicles, such as the SX4 sedan, you can enjoy comforts that were once the domain of higher price points, along with decent performance and fewer visits to the fuel pump.

That may not sound glamorous, but good value is less about flash and more about saving cash.

 

2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan at a Glance

• BODY STYLE: Compact sedan.
• DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-wheel-drive
• ENGINE: 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC (143 hp, 136 lb/ft torque)
• FUEL ECONOMY: Manual: 9.5/6.8L/100 km (30/42 mpg) city/hwy; Automatic: 9.2/6.7L/100 km (31/42 mpg) city/highway
• PRICE: Base $17,195; Sport $18,995 (add $1,100 for automatic transmission)
• WEBSITE: www.suzuki.ca

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