2007 Suzuki SX4: A solid ride
Cox News Service
October 27, 2006
Budget-minded commuters who must get to work in rain, sleet and snow would be well-served by the all-new 2007 Suzuki SX4, a five-door hatchback that offers all-wheel-drive for less than $15,000.
 Photo by Suzuki
| |
|
2007 Suzuki SX4 | |
|
ABOUT THE SUZUKI SX4:
Body style: Five-door hatchback
Trim lines: SX4, SX4 Sport
Price: $14,999
Drive: All-wheel optional
Seating: Two in front, three in rear
Engine: 2-liter inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed manual; four-speed automatic
Miles per gallon of fuel: EPA estimate 23 city / 28 highway
WHAT'S SPECIAL: Standard all-wheel drive sets the SX4 apart from other subcompacts. Three modes are available with the flip of the console-mounted switch: front-wheel drive, for dry pavement; auto mode, which distributes power according to traction; and lock mode, which sends power to all four wheels for slow going in snow or mud.
WHAT WE LIKE: The squat SX4, with 16-inch wheels, offers a solid ride for a subcompact. There is minimal buffeting by the wind of tractor-trailer rigs blowing by. And the 143-horsepower four-cylinder engine allows you to keep pace with most traffic.
WHAT ISN'T THERE: Your favorite tunes. Hooking up your iPod requires a dealer-installed option. An iPod jack is standard in more than half of 2007 cars. The standard sound system offers the basic AM/FM/CD combination.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW: The SX4 Sport, which goes on sale in November, adds electronic stability control with traction control, nine-speaker sound system, keyless entry and start system, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The sticker price is $16,399. Add $1,000 for the four-speed automatic transmission.
EXTRAS: Six air bags are standard on the SX4, including side curtain air bags for front and rear passengers. Also standard: power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry and a tire pressure monitoring system. The covered cargo area in the hatchback has 9.5 cubic feet. The rear seats fold and flip to provide a total of 22 cubic feet of cargo space.
AND ANOTHER THING: Suzuki offers a 100,000-mile, seven-year limited warranty on the powertrain, along with what the company calls "24/7/365 roadside assistance."
