Shop the competition, and the first thing you'll notice about the SX4 is its diminutive size. A family friend who owns a Honda Fit said my test car looked tiny. Technically, it isn't: The SX4 has roughly the same footprint as cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, but its height — 60.8 inches — is tall for this class, and that gives it a stubby, thin appearance. A benefit of that is the SX4's tall windows, which translates into excellent sight lines all around. That — and the car's relatively impressive 34.8-foot turning circle — makes this car great for city driving. At my North Chicago condo, I have to thread cars down a back alley to park in my garage. The SX4? Piece o' cake.
As cakes come, though, it's a bland one. Elements from the headlights to the fenders fit a cohesive styling theme, but that theme seems to be "forgettable design." This doesn't necessarily spell doom for the SX4: Toyota has struck automotive vanilla with the new Corolla, but that hasn't stopped droves of shoppers from choosing it.
Fuel Gauge
Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, this gauge gives an approximate
indication of the amount of fuel in the fuel
tank. “F” stands for full and “E” stands for ...
Ride & Handling
It's a good thing that the SX4 handles better than it looks. It's as nimble
as the pros in this class — we're talking the likes of a Lancer, Mazda3 or
Focus. The steering wheel requires a bit mo ...
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
ESP® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
helps to control the vehicle during cornering
if the vehicle is understeering or oversteering.
It a ...