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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  This car seems nice - buy another - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By britton.peddie - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Suzuki of America is out of money and time, When I took my vehicle in for a warranty related repair, the dealer, who DOES NOT SELL SUZUKIS - told me they required a $1000.00 dollar deposit before they WOULD EVEN LOOK at the repair. This car is crap and they should go away [violative content deleted] where apparently they do OK selling crap product to uninformed individuals.

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  Super Little Car - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By mcidriver - October 20 - 4:50 pm

  Very nice little car. Love the AWD with ESP. Pay the extra for the top of the line model. You wont be disappointed.

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  love this car - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By Jack - October 14 - 1:10 pm

  I have seen this car on road and at traffic stops. Looked at other cars- compared price, reports/reviews, recalls. Shopped 4 dealers with my trade-in,got the best deal at my local dealer by $600 and within $300 of what I wantd. The dealer-salespeople were fantastic. was going to pay for it but 0% financing-ok/ The car is really great-fun to drive-more than enough headroom-free Garmin-car loaded w equipment.Dont wait! good pickup and passing-26.8 mpg n town so far. Going on trip this weekend!! Car is quiet, no road noise,will pull out in front of traffic from red lite-corners good- give it some gas going around corner- like on a motorcycle,no body lean,stops quicker than on a dime!!!

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  A Lot of Car for the Money - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By tim tschosik - October 7 - 6:13 pm

  The Suzuki SX4 is an excellent car. It is a great daily driver, good on gas, and has great responsiveness in the 0 to 40 range. Metro traffic here doesnt really let me get to 60 mph. Its very quiet for a small car. AWD at this price can not be found elsewhere.

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  Sharp peppy thing! - 2009 Suzuki SX4
  By ronman114 - September 30 - 1:18 am

  We just bought this car used with 19200 miles. It is in excellent shape and feels like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Shifting is smooth and easy. Love the looks of it inside and out. Features on dash well placed and everything very visible. I like the buttons on the steering wheel but would prefer they were lit for nighttime driving. 2WD and AWD selections are amazingly easy and SO handy in bad weather. Im sure this car handles better than those crossovers and pickups that dont have AWD. Love heated seats, higher driving position, huge windshield and heated side mirrors. So many perks for such a small price! Cons are:wish it had better fuel economy and the gas tank is too small.

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  Best car Ive ever owned out of 23 cars! - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By MrClean - August 27 - 11:43 am

  First brand new car I have ever bought. The few problems I have had have all been covered under warranty. (New fuel pump, spoiler coming off, and a leaking strut. Other then that the car has performed flawlessly! With the drive by wire you have to reset the throttle a few times to get it just right for it to program itself to the way drive. I currently have 18,000 miles on it and have almost 50% of the tread left on the factory tires. I have them rotated every 5k miles & they work & sound almost the same as the day I purchased the car. I average 27 mpg on mountain freeway driving at an average 75 mph, at 55 mph on the same 187 mile route I got 35 mpg. It performs awesome in the snow!

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  Im lovin it - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By alice - August 23 - 12:56 pm

  No regrets - its a pleasure and a pal. I drive 22 miles each way to work, along very twisting, hilly roads in the northeast. Havent tried it in deep sub-zero conditions yet, but ice, rain, snow, fog, heat, etc., have all been here, and weve done that with no problems at all.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Rich - FL - August 14 - 12:20 pm

  I usually buy used vehicles 3-4 years old. I traded a Ford Taurus. Its like switching from driving a tank to a go-cart. Im still grinning! For the 3 months Ive had it, Im averaging around 28 mpg with a good mix of highway and city commuting. Its hard to find something that Im not pleasantly surprised with. The acceleration, performace, smooth ride, handling, braking, etc. took away my apprehensions of driving a small economy car. And, its simply fun to drive. It has a unique, sporty look that sets it apart from others in its class. In my view, it has the best quality ratio of all its competitors. I didnt feel like I paid $2-$3K extra just for the manufacturers name.

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  SX$ Cross Over - 2008 Suzuki SX4
  By Mike - August 6 - 3:03 am

  Car was great for 15000 miles then the rattles in the dash area began....awful, selling dealer did not even fill the windsheild wiper reservoir dealer no help....Fuel economy for such a compact car is barely 27mpg for me. Eats tires, if you go studded tires with AWD and Traction control its awesome in ice and snow. If you roll windows down you cant here anything at all. Windows dont defrost well, very small fuel tank.Wish I would have bought a VW Rabbit

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  Suzuki SX4 - AWD for Winter - Snow - 2007 Suzuki SX4
  By Charles L - July 22 - 1:40 pm

  I love my SX4. This car is very roomy, comfortable and fun to drive. Looks great standing still or moving fast. Last week we had more than a foot of soft snow in my 1/4 mile driveway. I covered the lower grille opening to protect the radiator, locked in the AWD and plowed out. Had snow rolling over the hood up to the windshield but the SX4 kept going. Is that great or what? Visibility is excellent for touring the countryside because of the large glass and upright seating. Stops on a dime. Parks anywhere. Climbs hills without roads. Very wind stable for a compact vehicle.