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.
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara review
Snow buried it in the driveway, but the Suzuki Grand Vitara shook off the
thick white blanket and securely pulled onto the road.
Whether snowy or clear, Grand Vitara was in command.
For 2009, Gr ...
Grand Vitara in the Market
American automakers get a lot of criticism for their bad decisions in the
sport utility arena. There was too much emphasis on the truck-based type, and
they're paying the price. Suzuki proves with ...
Cargo & Towing
There's up to 28.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the backseat. Maximum
cargo volume totals 70.8 cubic feet, but it takes a few steps to get there. You
have to fold down the second row's backrest ...