All Cars, All the Time

Suzuki SX4






The more I see the SX4, the more I like it. Its Italian lineage with Giorgietto Giugiaro's Italdesign at the pen and partner Fiat involved in the design makes it a real European head turner. With pricing projected to be in between $15,000 and $18,000 the SX4 will offer up some uniqueness in the small car field. But, like anything in life there are compromises to be made. Let's take a closer look. Firstly the SX4 is a little on the portly side. Granted the SX4 is all wheel drive, but that doesn't explain away all of the pounds. That weight is going to hurt you at the pump where MPG is 25/30. On a side note, props for the AWD system offering full-lock. There is nothing worse than getting stuck on the beach with an AWD car that is spinning its front wheels and the rear wheels sit there helpless. Not that happened to my WRX or anything like that :-) Cargo room also suffers do to a lack of original thinking and constraints from the standard AWD system. The seat back is split and it folds/flips (secured to the front seat with a tether) but that is so old hat. It's too bad that something like the Honda Fit's magic seat won't work here. The average storage space is even less forgivable when you factor in that the SX4 is longer than some competitors. As for interior design, the SX4 redeems itself with what appears to be quite a sharp use of materials. According to Edmunds, Standard SX4 models come with metallic trim, a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, power windows, six airbags and antilock brakes. Spend $1,400 more for the SX4 Sport, and you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel with satellite audio and cruise controls, keyless ignition, automatic climate control, a seven-speaker audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and electronic stability control. A well spend $1,400 if you ask me.

The Honda Fit is a tough competitor and would still be my choice if I sharpened my pencil and added up all the facts. But sometimes buying a car isn't about math, but emotion and that is where having an edge in styling can make the sale when everything else doesn't seem to tally up.

Click here to check out the SX4 microsite. The SX4 is on sale starting in September.