Suzuki, Test Drives

Test Drive: 2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback

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April 17, 2009

2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback. Click image to enlarge

Manufacturer’s web site
Suzuki Canada

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Review and photos by Greg Wilson

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2009 Suzuki SX4

North Vancouver, British Columbia – If you’ve ever had the chance to drive an all-wheel drive (AWD) car in the winter time, you’ll know how much more stable and secure it feels on slippery surfaces than a front- or rear-wheel drive car does. It doesn’t have to be winter either: on wet or dirty pavement, unpaved or gravel roads, all-wheel drive offers superior traction, stability and steering control.

The trade-off is fuel economy, which is usually about ten or fifteen per cent worse than a comparable front-wheel drive model. AWD cars also usually cost more than their front-wheel drive counterparts. But the additional costs of AWD must be weighed against its significant safety benefits in poor weather driving conditions. In my mind, AWD is worth the extra money for Canadian drivers, particularly in the colder areas of the country.

Subaru and Jeep are the only non-luxury automakers to offer AWD across their vehicle line-up, but Toyota, Pontiac, Ford, Dodge, and Suzuki also offer some AWD automobiles.

2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback. Click image to enlarge

In the compact vehicle category, there are a half dozen AWD entries: the subject of this review is the compact Suzuki SX4 hatchback, a small but tall four-door hatchback available with a surprisingly sophisticated AWD system that’s available as an option on the mid-level SX4 JX hatchback ($19,995), and standard on the top-of-the-line SX4 JLX hatchback ($23,195).

The SX4’s competitors include the 2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i hatchback ($21,895), 2010 Toyota Matrix AWD ($23,360), 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD ($22,345), 2009 Jeep Compass North 4WD ($22,245), and 2009 Jeep Patriot North 4WD ($22,095).

The SX4 has the smallest engine of the group: a 143-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but it is also the most fuel efficient according to Natural Resources Canada. The SX4’s Energuide fuel economy ratings (L/100 km) are 9.9/7.1 city/hwy whether equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the optional four-speed automatic.

2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback. Click image to enlarge

The Subaru Impreza with a 170-hp 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder and standard four-speed automatic is rated at 10.4/7.6 city/hwy; the Matrix and Vibe both with a 158-hp 2.4-litre four and standard four-speed automatic are rated at 10.3/7.7; and the Compass and Patriot with a 172-hp 2.4-litre engine and optional continuously variable transmission are rated at 9.9/8.2 city/hwy.

The larger, more powerful engines of the SX4’s competitors do provide better acceleration and performance, but the SX4 is not underpowered – 143 horsepower is still generous for a small hatchback.

One negative point about the SX4: while all of its competitors have standard electronic stability control, this important safety feature is offered only on the top-of-the-line SX4 JLX trim. Hopefully, this will be rectified for 2010.

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