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.
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 ...
Safety
As an all-new model, the Kizashi hasn't been crash-tested yet by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It features eight airbags, including
seat-mounted torso airbags for all outboard seats ...
Bulb Replacement
WARNING:
• Light bulbs can be hot enough to
burn your finger right after being
turned off. This is true especially
for halogen headlight bulbs.
Replace the bulbs after they
become cool enough ...