Nissan Rogue Vs. Honda CR-V: Compare Cars
For small families, the vehicle of choice is no longer the minivan or the SUV; it's the compact... Read More
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Around The Web
while initial acceleration feels sprightly, the SX4 SportBack takes a while to get to 60 mph
The [CVT] unit can also be controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddles, which proved helpful during "spirited" driving.
Steering is quick and nicely weighted.
The car stays comfortably planted, no doubt aided by the wide 17-inch rubber on which it rides.
Maybe we expected too much from an all-wheel-drive vehicle that weighs 2,982 pounds.
PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
while initial acceleration feels sprightly, the SX4 SportBack takes a while to get to 60 mph
CNET
The [CVT] unit can also be controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddles, which proved helpful during "spirited" driving.
Motor Trend
Steering is quick and nicely weighted.
Consumer Guide
The car stays comfortably planted, no doubt aided by the wide 17-inch rubber on which it rides.
AutoWeek
Maybe we expected too much from an all-wheel-drive vehicle that weighs 2,982 pounds.
Edmunds' Inside Line
Considering its low price, the 2012 Suzuki SX4 delivers more driving enjoyment than most budget small cars. The roadholding is good, the car is easily tossed through corners, and the all-wheel drive model remains the least expensive way to get four-wheel traction.
The sole engine across the lineup is a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four. It can be fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual gearbox. The entry-level Sedan, the fancier Sport sedan, and the SportBack five-door hatchback have front-wheel drive, while the Crossover model offers Suzuki's own all-wheel drive system. It comes with an unusual feature, a front-wheel drive mode that delivers better fuel economy on smooth, dry roads. In its regular mode, however, the all-wheel drive system can send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels.
That engine provides enough torque to give the SX4 a responsive feeling with either transmission, and it's smooth and zippy during most kinds of regular driving--especially as a regular commuter car. The manual transmission may be the best way to use the engine's mid-range torque and responsiveness, but the CVT is fitted with paddle shifters that simulate fixed ratios, letting the driver "upshift" or "downshift" to control the power delivery as needed.
Steering feel is good, and there's little body roll in the front-wheel drive models. The Crossover all-wheel drive model sits higher and provides more suspension travel, feeling both tippier and noisier in spirited maneuvers. Its aggressive accelerator tip-in may fool drivers into thinking they have unlimited power, but they'll find that especially on the heavy Crossover, they quickly run out of urge and find their foot flat on the floor.
Conclusion
The 2012 Suzuki SX4 front-wheel drive models handle well and feel nimble behind the wheel, while the taller, heavier all-wheel drive Crossover is biased more toward all-weather traction.
