2009 Suzuki SX4: Road Test
2009 Suzuki SX4 ▼
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- MSRP: $13,299 - $19,639
- Invoice: $12,767 - $18,853
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Our road test for the 2009 Suzuki SX4 includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Suzuki SX4 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Suzuki SX4, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Suzuki SX4 help you decide if a 2009 Suzuki SX4 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.2 |
SX4 is acceptably quick with the manual transmission--given frequent shifting. It's a bit slower with the automatic, which kicks down quickly for more power. Either way, plan ahead for freeway merging and passing on busy two-lane roads. The front-drive sedan feels slightly quicker than the AWD hatchback. No front-drive hatchbacks have been made available for testing yet.
FUEL ECONOMY
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
In Consumer Guide testing, our extended-use AWD hatchback with manual transmission averaged 25.2 mpg over 10,090 miles. While not great for a subcompact car, it's good for a vehicle with AWD. Test automatic hatchback logged a less-impressive 20.7 mpg. Test sedans averaged a relatively frugal 27.6 mpg in mostly highway driving, 22.3 in mostly city driving. With automatic transmission, test sedan averaged just 21.3 mpg with a slight city bias. SX4 uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
SX4s, hatchbacks in particular, ride fairly comfortably for being such small cars; limber but nicely damped suspension and large tires help iron out most rough pavement.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5.1 |
Quick, nicely weighted steering and stable cornering make SX4s feel nimble despite moderate body roll and grip in fast turns. With standard sport suspension and larger wheels and tires, sedans are markedly more athletic. Brake-pedal action is firm and progressive on all SX4s. Availability of an antiskid system is welcome at this price level.
QUIETNESS
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
Wind noise is modest, and there's little thumping over bumps. Sedans are slightly quieter than hatchbacks, which let in more coarse-surface tire thrum and road noise. The engine is fairly loud at high rpm and hums audibly even in gentle cruising.
CONTROLS
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
An orthodox dashboard design holds large, legible gauges and simple, handy minor controls. The automatic transmission includes a gear-position indicator in the gauge cluster, a nice touch for this class. Ditto the available steering-wheel audio and cruise buttons. We find it odd the "Technology Package" does not include an auxiliary audio input or USB port for digital music players. The navigation system resides in a retractable lid atop the center of the dash. The screen is on the small side and hard to reach, but it's fairly simple to program and incorporates no audio or climate functions.
DETAILS
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Cabin materials are appropriate for the price. Test examples have shown fine detail finish.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Headroom is ample despite a high seating position for the class, but legroom is just OK for lanky folks. Seats are ordinary for shape and padding and lack height adjustment. Some testers complain that the front roof pillars impede the view to the sides.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.4 |
The seat is relatively high--a comfort plus--but it's too narrow for three adults. Head clearance is just OK for six-footers, but legroom and foot space are good even with the seats set far back.
CARGO ROOM
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5.2 |
The sedan has a roomy trunk for the car's exterior size but lacks a folding rear seatback. The hatchback holds a half-dozen grocery bags behind its split rear seat, the backs of which do fold, and the seats flip forward to make a fairly large, boxy load area. Cabin storage is useful but not abundant.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6.9 |
SX4 is roomy and solid, has a laudable list of available safety equipment, and offers uncommon class features such as AWD and a navigation system. All models lag most rivals for fuel economy, but pricing is reasonable, which makes this Suzuki a Best Buy.
Total Score
| AWD Hatchback, manual | AWD Hatchback, automatic | Sport Sedan, manual | Sport Sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 59 | 61 | 57 | 57.8 |
Total Score: 60
Scores for all Subcompact Cars
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