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 more effort to turn than many, but it delivers excellent turn-in precision and good feedback. It also returns naturally to 12 o'clock and stays there on the highway. The Civic's steering wheel feels more secure at high speeds, but for a car that seems susceptible to crosswinds, the SX4 doesn't wander off course like I'd expect it to. My SX4 Sport's sport-tuned suspension kept body roll nicely in check, too.

Sadly, good handling does lead to a rather undisciplined ride. The suspension cushions major bumps well enough, and it keeps the wheels connected with the road over rough patches. But smaller imperfections are your constant companion in this car: Over long stretches of less-than-smooth highway, my tester settled into a rhythm of up/down motions. We've complained of the same proclivities in crossovers like the Honda CR-V and, to a lesser extent, the Toyota RAV4. No matter where it happens, it gets old fast.

See also:

Off-Road
We drove an RMZ-4 Equator around several trails at Knibbe Ranch, about 55 miles north of San Antonio. The ranch, consisting of 2,000 acres of Texas hill country, is mostly covered with scrub oak a ...

Engine Block Heater (if equipped)
Engine Block Heater (if equipped) The engine block heater will help you start the engine more easily in very cold weather (–18°C (0°F) or below). To use the engine block heater: 1) Turn off ...

Using the Transfer Switch (if equipped)
Using the Transfer Switch (if equipped) Your vehicle is equipped with a four-mode full-time 4x4 system. You can use the transfer switch to select any of the four modes: N, 4H, 4H LOCK, 4L LOCK. ...

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