

The five-speed manual has a heavy quality to it, as gear changes require a deliberate prod of the shifter. I had the chance to drive both manual- and automatic-transmission versions of the SX4 Sport. The smooth-revving four-cylinder makes decent power, but it’s nowhere near as dynamic as the SX4 Sport’s chassis and doesn’t deliver the most appealing sound at high rpm. **Continuously variable automatic transmission. Source: *Recalculated to comply with 2008 testing standards. Gas Mileage ComparedĢ007 Chevrolet Cobalt w/2.2-liter 4-cyl.* When compared to estimates from the SX4 Sport’s key competitors, the Suzuki ranks near the bottom of the pack. The engine teams with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and the front-wheel-drive sedan achieves an EPA-estimated 23/31 mpg (city/highway) with the optional automatic transmission and 22/30 mpg with the manual. The SX4 Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 143 horsepower and 136 pounds-feet of torque.
Suzuki sx4 hatchback 2008 front facebar drivers#
With the incorporation of lively, light steering effort, the SX4 Sport rewards drivers with a level of performance that’s disproportionately higher than its price. The sport-tuned suspension and standard 17-inch alloy wheels and tires deliver decent damping on pockmarked roads, but ride quality is still rather stiff. The MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension aren’t revolutionary designs, but Suzuki has done a magnificent job tuning them to satisfy the whims of sport-inclined drivers.ĭuring spirited driving on winding roads, the SX4 Sport carves through turns with ease, and the taut suspension tuning keeps body roll to a minimum and lets the car recover quickly when you hit a bump or dip in the road. The SX4 Sport is an impressive performer on winding country roads, which is where I spent the majority of my time driving it, along with some city and suburban motoring. The SX4 Sport isn’t as sleek as a Civic, though. The shape is not unlike Suzuki’s old Aerio small car, and the tall roof pays headroom dividends for both front and rear occupants. The sedan has a distinctive profile thanks to its 60.8-inch-high roof, which is taller than those of competitors like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Mazda3. It’s a likable look and one that’s appropriate for a car with sporty ambitions. It features the same stylishly assertive face with creased bodywork. It’s a new front-wheel-drive compact sedan that’s related to Suzuki’s all-wheel-drive SX4 Crossover hatchback, and its combination of value and sportiness make it an attractive entry in the crowded small-car segment.įrom the B-pillar forward, the SX4 Sport is a dead ringer for the SX4 Crossover hatchback that Suzuki launched last year. That’s the case with the SX4 Sport (the overachieving part, mind you, not the annoying one). Just like the annoying kid from high school who did every extra credit assignment possible, cars can be overachievers, too.
