Overview & Reviews

While Suzuki makes class-leading motorcycles that are desired from Okinawa to Omaha, its luck in the automobile market has been less than stellar. Most of its models were rebadged Daewoos when the Suzuki SX4 was introduced. This compact car proved the small Japanese company could make better cars when it took on the project itself. While it's not quite as fun as Suzuki's two-wheeled vehicles, the SX4 is nevertheless a thoroughly competent and well-made small car.

Considering that Americans still overwhelmingly prefer sedans to hatchbacks, the sedan model gives the Suzuki SX4 an advantage over other subcompact cars that are offered only with a hatch. The available all-wheel drive on the hatchback also gives the SX4 a decided advantage, as do both models' impressive build quality and sporty styling. However, its 143-horsepower four-cylinder engine struggles with the hefty curb weight, and fuel economy is consequently below average as a result. If your top priority is having a fuel-sipping compact, the SX4 is not the best choice. Yet while other subcompacts may lean toward either sportiness or comfort, the Suzuki SX4 does a good job of providing both, with the added bonus of all-wheel drive and a sedan model.

Current Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is offered in four-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles, which are split into two different styles. The sedan can be had in a no-nonsense economy car guise as well as a "Sport" series of trims that feature different suspension turning and styling. The hatchback is available as the sporty "Sportback" or the SX4 Crossover for those seeking a more rugged compact car with available all-wheel drive, SUV-like body cladding and a taller ride height.

Underneath its sporty exterior lies a platform shared with the previous-generation, award-winning Suzuki Swift sold in Europe and Japan. This translates into a car with ride and handling characteristics seemingly fashioned for those locales. The ride is on the firm side, but in an upscale sort of way, absorbing bumps and undulating pavement with impressive composure. Its steering is also tight and direct, offering one of the more fun driving experiences in this segment.

For those in colder climes, the SX4 Crossover should prove attractive, as it is the least expensive all-wheel-drive car on the market. Featuring three modes, the AWD system can be configured for maximum traction or fuel economy. AWD Auto is like many crossover SUV systems that shunt power to the rear wheels only when front-wheel slippage is detected. AWD Lock is for lower speeds through snow or mud, while FWD mode is best for fuel economy. In most cases, that's the mode of choice, since neither body style achieves good fuel economy numbers for this class.

Picking the right SX4 for you can be tricky, as there are a multitude of trim levels available. The range starts off with the base sedan, which is scarcely appointed with full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering wheel and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. Added niceties available on both the upper sedan and Sportback trims include air-conditioning, a four-speaker sound system, cruise control, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, keyless ignition/entry and an integrated Garmin navigation system. The "Sport" sedan options include a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes and an aero body kit.

The interior is one of the Suzuki SX4's best attributes, sporting a simple, user-friendly design and decent materials. Although not as versatile as some other subcompact hatchbacks, the SX4 does offer plenty of rear passenger room and cargo space thanks to a flip-and-fold backseat that's placed high atop the floor for so-called "stadium seating."

Used Suzuki SX4 Models
The Suzuki SX4 debuted for the 2007 model year. Changes since then include the addition of the front-wheel-drive SX4 Sport sedan in '08; in its first year of production, the SX4 was offered only as an all-wheel-drive hatchback. Model-year 2009 saw the arrival of a front-wheel-drive hatchback (known as "Crossover"), a split-folding rear seat for the sedan and a standard navigation system on upper trim levels.

For 2010, Suzuki added the SX4 Sportback model and power was ever so slightly increased from 143 hp to 150. New transmissions -- a six speed manual and continuously variable (CVT) -- replaced the previous five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, improving fuel economy A restyled front fascia, new gauges, a height-adjustable driver seat, an auxiliary audio jack, a few new navigation features and some renamed trim levels also debuted for 2010.

It's important to note that every SX4 got standard stability control for 2012. Previously, it was only available on upper trim levels. For 2011 only, rear drum brakes came on the base and LE trims.

User Reviews:

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  Great Buy - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By pens87 - September 6 - 11:36 pm

  I got mine a week ago and I love it. It is the first Suzuki that Ive owned. I wasnt sure about the Suzuki brand, but its great. It cost a total of $16,500 after tax, and what a great deal for that price. You get AWD, a nice interior, decent horsepower, and all of the safety features. In my opinion this is the best buy if youre looking for a car under $20,000. I looked at a few cars that were priced at $19,000 - $21,000 and this SX4 is as good if not better than them. I think for $16,000 this car is a steal. It looks great on the outside and inside. It has great headroom/legroom and a lot of trunk space. I was also pleasantly surprised by the speaker/audio quality. What a great buy.

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  Great ride - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By carguru29 - July 18 - 10:00 am

  After being a loyal fan of the VW Golf, I was in the market for a new ride. I chose the SX4 sport touring edition, and it has been perfect. faster, better traction and handles better than any of my Golfs, and better than the wifes Honda.It has a lot better design too. Its a car worth looking if your shopping in the price range.

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  Just terriffic! - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By nicolasR - July 18 - 10:00 am

  If youre shopping for a sporty compact, test drive one an youll be sold. Sx4 is fun, feels like a more expensive small sports compact, think a4/ jetta/ s40 but at a fraction of the cost. I was considering a jetta, my wife liked the mini Cooper, but after contemplating we landed at 2 Suzuki sx4s, one hatch back (cuter than a Cooper) and a sedan with the se package. We traded in a Civic and insight, and were glad to be rid of those two. The sx4s are way ahead of Honda in this segment, not to mention way better looking :) both have been a dream to own, not one complaint.

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  Superb Suzuki aka Fiat - 2010 Suzuki SX4
  By talledega66 - July 18 - 10:00 am

  The car has been simple to own, the maintenance schedule is easy with the timing chain instead of belt ( as seen on more expensive cars), the oil changes every 7500 miles, with a special we got free a maintenance package. Suspension is better than any other comparably priced compact sedan, even better than one I drove costing almost 10k more. It feels heavier really secure at all speeds, corners well. Overall the 150 hp engine is enough with manual 6 speed (I test drove automatic and it was also adequate), but not as much fun. The car gets attention, people always like the styling. For a small car theres a lot of head and leg room even in back, overall it was the best choice

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  Awesome little car! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Olivia - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my SX4 for a few days, so I dont really know how reliable or durable it is yet, but I have a feeling that it wont give me too many problems. My SX4 is the 2009 "Touring Edition" sport wagon with AWD, and it had 6,000 miles on it when I bought it. I fell in love with these cars as soon as they came out (the sport wagons, not so much the sedans), and I knew that if I ever needed to get rid of my Jeep in favor of better gas mileage, this would be the car Id get. Low and behold, my hubby and I have to move to another state with a warmer climate where I wont need 4x4 anymore, so I got my SX4! Its a great looking little car thats super fun to drive.

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  SX4 Crossover - 2012 Suzuki SX4
  By cfiaime - May 29 - 5:20 am

  We own two 2011 Suxuki SX4 Crossovers, one with CVT, the other with the manual transmission. Both are worthy performers in both dry and inclimate weather. Ive done several 600 mile days in both cars and found them more comfortable than many full size cars. I particularly appreciate the i4wd system which allows for either 2wd or 4wd operation. In snow deeper than the rocker panels I had no problem with traction, steering, or braking. Both cars are averaging well over 28 MPG in town, which is quite a bit higher than the EPA estimated mileage.

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  Best Car I ever owned!!!!! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Alex - May 5 - 4:43 am

  Ive traded my Honda civic for this car and it was worth it!!! Immaculate reliability and I average 28 mpg city. I got this car for a little less than 12 thousand and I have been very satisfied!! My mom convinced me to get it because she had an Aerio with 267,000 miles with no problems! Great warranty! I call her Suzy and the girls like her too, they tell me shes cute. But overall, great car for the money, get yourself a Suzy and stop paying $20,000 + for Hondas and Toyotas, power windows are not even standard in the base price! This car is worth every penny and its Japanese quality. Could you imagine if it had more horsepower?

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  Great CR-V replacement - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By LakebearOH - May 1 - 7:50 am

  I thought I would keep my Honda CR-V forever. It was 10 years old but I didnt like anything else out there (including the new ones). Sat in the SX4 Crossover at the Auto Show in Cleveland and fell in love. Im getting 28 MPG driving back and forth to work. I do wish it had a bigger gas tank because with the miles I drive (over 400 a week) I have to fill up twice a week, but otherwise I love this car. It is quieter than my Honda and rides very nice. Ive gotten quite a few complements on it and a lot of questions because there arent many Suzuki dealerships in the area.

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  Dicks SX4 - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Richard, NC - April 20 - 7:40 am

  The SX4 is a good looking vehicle. Folks are always asking what it is. Its great fun to drive. It has plenty of room and space for groceries and trips to the garden center and the beach. It has excellent-fitting and good-looking interior trim. My first tank of gas averaged 31 mpg!

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  2008 SX4 Crossover AWD auto/Touring - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Norm - February 22 - 10:36 pm

  This vehicle was purchased for my wife as a replacement for her 1997 Toyota RAV4, which we gave to our 20 year old son who is away at college. This car is very similar to the RAV in many respects, small 4 cylinder engine, AWD, about the same size but a little lower to the ground. The SX4 gets decent mileage so far after about 600 miles we are getting about 21 mpg in town and have not taken it for any long rides yet. My wife likes pretty much everything about the car except the lack of an ashtray and the auto climate control is a little confusing at first. Some of the controls do not light up when the headlights are on, such as the steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise control.