If my experience driving around Chicago is any indicator, there's quite a market for small, sporty-looking hatchbacks. Most of them are heavily modified used cars, and against this benchmark the SX4 performs quite well, if for no other reason than it has up-to-date safety equipment.
It's when the SX4 is compared with other new offerings that it suffers. Is it as crisp, poised and refined as the segment leaders? Nope. And while it's fun to drive on twisty roads, it's not the most fun. The SX4 doesn't look like many other cars on the road, and the SportBack version is well-differentiated from its siblings. For some people, that plus good handling will be enough. I'm not convinced, though, that I wouldn't be happier in day-to-day use with something different.
Driving Tips
WARNING:
• Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times.
Even though air bags are equipped
at the front seating positions, the
driver and all passengers should
be properly restrained at all times,
usi ...
Four Trim Lines, Two Engines, Three Drivelines
The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara four-cylinder model is offered in four trim
levels: Base, Premium, XSport and Luxury. The base model is RWD only, but its
list of standard equipment is far from basic ...
What It All Means
The steering has a nice weight, meaning it's not overly power-assisted to the
point of being twitchy on the highway, nor does it require too much effort at
slow speeds. It's also precise, meaning ...