Suzuki SX4 hatchback punching above its weight

1.578363-3409706186 — Suzuki's SX4 might appear to be a left-field choice in the supermini sector, but the more you examine it, the more it makes sense. Image Credit: Supplied

If you want to get ahead in the car business, small is the biggest game in town. Superminis, compact hatchbacks, call them what you want, the small car segment is the one to be in.

The trade-off is that there's little in the way of genuine variety. Sure, style-wise there's much to differentiate one supermini from the other, but at the end of the day you're still driving a supermini. And if you want a small car with a bit of attitude or one that would show a tad more ability off the beaten path, it's a case of getting something, well, bigger.

Which is why cars like Suzuki's SX4 have managed to carve out a successful niche for themselves. Presenting a noticeably more rugged face to the world while managing to retain thesame footprint as a conventional supermini, the SX4s of this world offer something a little different.

Different yes — but also different in a good way. Choice is always welcome in the car business, but cars such as the SX4 must deliver what the marketing-speak promises. Suzuki has form in the small car market so this isn't an issue. From city runabouts to compact 4x4s, the Japanese firm has made a good living from this end of the business.

The big deal

The SX4 is, if you like, a cross between a small hatchback and a mini SUV. All the telltale clues are present: the high roofline, raised driving position, chunky styling and all-wheel drive.

This latter feature might only be present on one variant, which, sadly is not available in the Middle East. But for anyone with a need for such, it sure beats having to manhandle something larger on sandy bylanes. And for 2010, Suzuki has spruced up the car's interior, improved equipment levels and polished the exterior by way of more colour-coded trim.

First let's consider the front-wheel drive SX4; it's more than just a ‘soft-roader' for the city. The raised driving position, lofty stance and spacious cabin all make perfect sense in the city where visibility is often at a premium and getting into and out of a regular car can be a chore — and a genuine pain for some.

With the ease-of-use box ticked, let's consider the car's performance. The thoroughly revised 120bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit is an excellent all-rounder that's great for more urban-centric motoring. Improved performance, economy and refinement have made it a more rounded proposition now, and it's also the engine used in the all-wheel drive SX4.

Now, this might appear like overkill, but there's a lot to be said for all-weather ability. You don't have to be stuck in sand or mud to reap the benefit, since even wet or dirty roads have the potential to cause a problem.

Also, if you happen to do a lot of city driving, something small and economical like the Suzuki SX4 can make more sense than a bulky, traditional 4x4 — why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, after all?

And the SX4 — in all-wheel drive trim — is so easy to live with. A simple rocker switch activates the 4x4 mode, giving you the option of on-demand all-wheel drive when you lose traction, full 4x4 lock and a front-drive mode.

Verdict

A genuinely versatile, practical and easy to drive car, Suzuki's SX4 might appear to be a left-field choice in the supermini sector, but the more you examine it, the more it makes sense.

You don't need to live in the middle of a desert to make the most of it, because it feels at home on the highway just as it does bounding along rocky or sandy paths. For the asking price, this is a small car that genuinely punches above its weight. It is a shame though that the all-wheel drive 1.6-litre combo is not being sold here.

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