2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Testing and Finalists
Stodgy conservative has its wheels stuck in the mud
By Allyson Harwood
When it made its two SUVs (the Grand Vitara and XL7) bigger and more upscale, Suzuki had a wonderful opportunity. It could've filled the space left behind with a pocket-rocket crossover, something that handled well and offered some power, at a low price. But it chickened out, and what we get instead is the SX4, a conservative, value-focused hatch.
Just as with Suzukis from the past, this car is competent as a commuter car, but it's boring. The 2800-pound all-wheel-drive vehicle uses a 2.0-liter, 143-horsepower four--which one judge described as having an "agricultural, lawn-tractor whine"--as its sole source of power. Buyers have a choice of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual--which was what our tester came with. This is likely the best way to make use of the power the four-cylinder offers, though most buyers won't experience it. The Suzuki has instability issues at speed, which makes it not such a bad thing that it takes a while to get there. Even with the manual, it reaches 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and gets through the quarter mile in 16.8 at 81.3 mph. That's fine for a daily driver, but gave judges the impression the SX4 was holding back--that there should've been more under the hood.
As expected at this price, the interior is simple and bland, with few bells or whistles. However, the stereo plays CDs and MP3s, and the 60/40-split second row makes it easy to haul cargo.
Value is supposed to be the main feature of the SX4, and Suzuki hasn't entirely succeeded here. While it's the most affordable vehicle with all-wheel drive in the U.S., the topline model starts at a hair under $17,000, and there are plenty of other cars on the market that have more to offer for the money.
| 2007 Suzuki SX4 |
| Base price range | $15,594-$16,994 |
| Price as tested | $15,594 (AWD) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door wagon |
| Engine | 2.0L/143-hp/136-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Curb weight (f/r dist) | 2886 lb (59/41%) |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 in |
| Length x width x height | 162.8 x 69.1 x 63.2 in |
| 0-60 mph | 9.2 sec |
| Quarter mile | 16.8 sec @ 81.3 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 132 ft |
| 600-foot slalom | 62.7 mph, avg |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.77 g, avg |
| MT figure eight | 29.0 sec @ 0.54 g, avg |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 23/28 mpg |
| Sum Up | It misses the mark, but young commuters may find something to like about it. |
| Bet you didn't know | Suzuki developed the SX4 in a joint venture with Italy's Fiat Auto, which will sell Fiat and Lancia versions in Europe. |