Suzuki SX4 Review & Road Test
July 8, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
2009 Suzuki SX4 Review & Road Test
The Swift’s forgotten bigger brother demands some attention.
Model Tested:
- 2009 Suzuki SX4; S-Series; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder; five-speed manual; sedan – $23,490
Great all around, value for money, very comfortable A to B car
No ESP, tough competition
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Alborz Fallah
I’ve always had a thing for Suzukis, I don’t really know why. I am big fan of the Swift, I even like the Jimny, it’s one of those cars, especially the Swift Sport, that tends to defy the laws of physics when it comes to corners.
So what about the SX4, the Swift’s elder brother, which has been in the background far too long. Testing my own question I decided to see how it goes in sedan form.
I’ve driven the all-wheel-drive version of the SX4 in hatch form and I am still trying to work out why I’m not seeing more of them on the road.
Suzuki is a niche brand trying really hard to not be a niche brand. When I say Suzuki, the first few words that come into your head are either Swift or if you’re a bike fan, Hayabusa or GSX-R1000, but SX4 is definitely not on the list.
So here then exists the problem. Suzuki sells so many Swifts to so many happy customers but it needs to convert those looking for an upgrade from a Swift into something like an SX4 or Grand Vitara.
In June Suzuki sold 263 SX4s, both sedan/hatch, while in that same period Mazda sold 3741 Mazda3s, Toyota sold 4066 Corollas, Mitsubishi sold 1904 Lancers, Ford sold 807 Focus’ and Honda sold 981 Civics. What’s the reason?
Well for starters, not many tend to consider the SX4 when looking for a small sedan/hatch. It just doesn’t exist for so many.
I had a phone call from a friend asking what car she should buy for $50,000. In about 20 minutes I had worked out she only really wanted a car that was reliable, safe and had a fair bit of space.
I suggested the Hyundai i30CW, she was shocked that I suggested a Hyundai, and then I suggested a Suzuki Grand Vitara. “Suzuki? Don’t they make Swifts?”
Oh dear, but at least she agreed to a test drive of both.
If you’re looking for a small size sedan, the SX4 is a worthy option. From the front the Suzuki looks superb, it has a very aggressive, near European look to it.
as for the rear, I’m not really sure, it doesn’t gel all that well with me but looks are subjective. What’s impressive is the value for money.
For a starting price of $20,490 you get a Japanese sedan that will not only be unique but comes loaded with features.
It’s fair to point out that it lacks Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a big negative for the car (and the reason it got 3.5 instead of four steering wheels). However apart from that, the package, as a whole is very competitive.
The main differentiating feature of the SX4 is its unconventional height. While the other sedans in the segment sit low to the ground, the Suzuki, which is based on a platform designed for an all-wheel-drive hatch sits much taller and upright. This is very handy if you’re after a sedan that has a command driving position.
Driving it around for a week it became obvious that this little sedan is perhaps one of the quietest and most comfortable A to B cars out there, and that’s the best way to look at it.
It really is a very honest and down to earth car. It will get you from A to B in a quiet, comfortable manner, without any hassles.
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine comes with 107kW of power under the hood and 184Nm of torque and acceleration is nothing superb but even with five adults in the car it’s not too bad.
One issue with the car is the fuel economy, Suzuki claims 8.4L/100km, which compares to Mazda3 8.2L/100km; Toyota Corolla 7.3L/100km; Mitsubishi Lancer 7.9L/100km, but during my week in it the best I could do was 9.1L/100km.
For a car that weighs about 1200 kilos, this really needs improving.
My test car was a manual and it took a while to get used to the “all or nothing” uptake of the clutch.
It’s worth noting that if you were going to buy an SX4, the automatic gearbox is one of the better ones on the market, whilst I was writing this review I had a reader (we can call him Steve) email me just to tell me how much he loves his SX4 hatch. He writes:
“The major draw back is the fuel consumption, I am only getting around 9.5L/100km and the fuel tank could be bigger, especially when used off road. I read in some comments that the automatic gearbox wasn’t very good. I find it first class. It changes very smoothly wether towing or not, to the extent that at times I cant feel it change. Over all it is a brilliant mix of town and country car and far exceeds expectations in both areas.”
This of course raises the question, why would you buy the SX4 sedan when the hatch is the same price or cheaper depending on variant? That’s a pretty hard question to answer.
Some like sedans (my folks for example, despite my best efforts, bought a Corolla sedan) but as far as practicality goes, it makes perfect sense to go for the hatch.
The interior is pretty standard Japanese. Not as uninspiring as a Lancer or Corolla, but not up to Mazda3 standards yet.
It does however, come with a Mazda-like integrated stereo and smart lock/key system that lets you just walk up to the car with the keys in the pocket and open the door. Something entry model German cars still lack!
The seats are comfortable and provide good support around corners but don’t expect to fit five adults inside without complaints. The SX4 is a car best suited to four adults – basketball players excluded.
Something nearly all new cars have managed to get right has been the stereo, there is no longer any need to upgrade.
The SX4’s stereo system, which I believe is powered by Clarion, provides enough bass to wake up the neighbourhood and enough clarity to keep Mozart happy.
There is something rather peculiar about the appearance of the SX4 though. Have a look at the picture below and the one of the interior a few paragraphs above.
Notice how there are three windows on the side. The rear passenger window, the front passenger window and, well, something else.
The odd design makes you think the side vision is slightly impaired and it takes a while to get used to it but after a few days you don’t even notice it’s there.
If you go to test drive one of these and that puts you off, don’t worry about it, it just takes some time to adjust.
My recommendations are still for the SX4 hatch. If you must get a sedan, the SX4 sedan is worth considering but the competition in this price category is tough.
When you consider the practicalities of an SX4 hatch, especially the AWD variant, it makes perfect sense and is quite a unique buy for its price.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: J20A 1995cc, four-cylinder, 16-valve
- Power: 107kW @ 5800
- Torque: 184Nm @ 3500
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Front
- CO2 Emissions:
- Fuel Consumption: 8.4L/100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 9.5L/100km (M)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litre
- Fuel Type: 91RON petrol
- EuroNCAP Rating: Four star
- Airbags: Front, side & curtain
- Safety: ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution) BAS (brake-assist system)
- Cargo Capacity: 515 litre
- Tow Capacity: 1200kg
- Turning Circle: 10.6 metres
- Warranty: Three year/100,000 kilometres
- Weight: 1215kg
- Wheels: 16-inch alloys, 195/65/R16 tyres
Print it: 
There is only one other small four-door that matches this one for sheer ugliness and that’s the Nissan Tiida. This factor alone is the main reason for the dismal sales rate as it’s not a bad drive.
The more i study what you can buy @ low $20’s the more i can confirm that the Lancer Sedan/Hatch cannot be beat for Japanese quality, features, performance, back-up etc etc.
Its a pity Mitusbishi have a bad name after all the 380 episode.
Drive them all and make your choice!
Cheers
F-0
I believe the MY09 Lancer ES’ economy is 7.6l/100km.
What Mazda has the keyless entry and start? I thought that was just Mitsubishi.
I love my SX4 AWD hatch!
I do find the fuel consumption a little annoying, not so much the actual fuel costs, I am used to driving old holdens , but the tank is only 45 liters.
The other thing that annoys me is the stereo, i wish it would scroll the artist/album/track name of mp3’s instead of just displaying the first 8 characters. A front aux input would also be nice.
Also the huge A pillar sometimes gets annoying when driving on bendy roads.
But apart from these small things, the car is fantastic. It is so stable in all conditions like a suburu but for a lot less. and a lot less service costs.
Few Problems with this one.
Main is lack of ESP – for this car it’s criminal not to have ESP even as option for 2009 car. Suzuki deserves bankruptcy in this regard.
45 l tank and 10 l/100 km fuel — you’ll be going to the gas station every other day. Poor thinking.
Otherwise – it would be a nice car – especially that 4 wd one.
Alborz you answered your own question htroughout the article. Becuase there are so many little things that you either have to get used to like the windows (personally I would have called it eight windows ’cause you have the quarter glass on the rear door) and the fact that som much of the car is “almost right”. Throw in the looks and it misses the mark compleletly. Shame really because the car deserves better than that.
I have been driving the manual s series hatch for the last week, and am pleasantly surprised by the car, its smooth comfortable, and quiet on the highway, with decent handling/performance for the class. It looks a lot better in the hatch version too. Most people who have seen it so far quite like the shape (hatch not sedan!), I believe it deserves to do better in the market than it does, but there is a lot of competion out there that is just as good for the same money.
forgot to mention have been averaging about 8l/100km out of it and thats driving reasonably hard!, which i dont think is to bad considering the performance..
When we were looking at a second car we looked at one, I really liked the idea of the AWD but it was getting pricey for a second car. The fuel consumption wouldn’t worry me in the AWD but in the 2WD it is up there
this sometimes looks like a bowler hat on wheels!
The interior colour is all a bit monotone for my liking and the wheels look stupidly small for the size and height of the car. Honestly, I think it is overpriced.
i’ve seen a nother review on the sx4. drum brakes, bad fuel consumption, and i think it looks… pretty weird. i wouldn’t buy it
The 2WD SX4 makes no sense to me.
What is the point of this car? So it’s not bad, that’s fine, but most cars are not bad. The Civic is better than not bad and also beat the SX4 in a group test you guys did a while back. Not to mention that it looks so horribly awkward. Tall sedans don’t work, just ask the Seat Toledo. It’s quite ugly actually. The Liana looked better.
Is there really any call for this when you could have a Focus, Civic, Lancer or at a bit of a stretch and take away the stupid looking small alloys, a Golf?
and the winner is Lancer.
Poor economy due to AWD?
Subaru AWDs drink above their class.
The Corolla auto’s real world fuel economy is 6.9L/100kmh as tested by Wheels.
I think the $24k AWD S Hatch with all the fruit is the one to buy with the agility of a small car and with the potential of doing some off road driving. As a multi purpose a car and equipment levels it leaves the Corolla, Civic etc for dead.
This model comes out with ESP & Sat Nav and a 7 year warranty in the U.S for $16.500 and is the cheapest AWD car in North America and rightly so they love them up ther, so why are we getting ripped off blindly here Ateco Suzuki?
Realcars, what do you mean they drink above their class? As in they are more or less economical than class competitors?
According to the Subaru website, the Impreza 2.0R economy is 8.8l/Auto 8.9l/Man
For anyone in the market for a “Small AWD Hatch”, there is nothing else in the market….closest being, perhaps is the Subaru Impreza Wagon. The extra window in front is to minimise blind spot. Rather then to have a thick “A” Pillar like in other cars, you can actually see through this one! As for the Sedan, at 515 Litres capacity, it has the largest boot in its class (and actually larger then the Falcon or C’dore as well!) The “S” Model, starting from $23490, is the best value-for-money one to go for…How many (if any) other cars at this price has proximity keyless start, cruise, climate air, 6 air bags etc? As for looks of the Sedan, try putting on a set of 17″ Alloys and a rear spoiler and the look is completely transformed!
My neighbour had one of these, she only had it three months because she was having almost one major accident a week because of the A pillar. She now has a mazda 3.
SX4 sedan (shudder). probably the worst hatch to sedan conversion i have ever seen. Way too tall, wheels too small and the tail-lights make me squeamish.
Nissan Dualis is an AWD small hatch, and having driven both the Dualis was better in every department, and it includes ESP. A few more $$’s ($27K driveaway) but well worth the difference…