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.
Break-In
CAUTION:
The future performance and reliability
of the engine depends on the care
and restraint exercised during its
early life. It is especially important to
observe the following precautions
d ...
Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle requires regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum rating of 87 pump
octane ((R + M)/2 method). In some areas,
the only fuels that are available are oxygenated
fuels.
Oxygenated f ...
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Specified Fluid
Use an automatic transaxle fluid equivalent
to DEXRON®-III.
Fluid Level Check
CAUTION:
Driving with too much or too little
fluid can damage the transaxle.
You must check the fl ...