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.
Exterior & Styling
One good thing I can say about the Grand Vitara is that it's relatively
distinctive looking. It has some similarities to earlier-generation Saturn Vues,
and whether you like it or not is for you t ...
Built Like a Brute
The Suzuki Grand Vitara continues Suzuki's 40-year heritage of building
compact but rugged SUV-type vehicles, including a model named "Brute." The
current Grand Vitara has proven its dur ...
Kizashi in the Market
The Kizashi catches your attention with a low starting price and continues to
impress with its interior quality and features like dual-zone automatic climate
control, a USB stereo input and standa ...