Test Drive: 2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback

All SX4 hatchbacks come standard with front, side and curtain airbags, five height adjustable head restraints, rear door child locks, three rear tether anchors, two rear ISO-FIX child seat supports, five three-point safety belts, and front belt pretensioners.

The SX4’s unique AWD system, which is available on the hatchback but not the sedan model, allows SX4 drivers to choose between front-wheel drive (2WD), all-wheel drive (Auto), or low-speed four-wheel drive (Lock). Front-wheel drive (2WD) provides maximum fuel economy when driving in fair weather, while all-wheel drive (Auto) mode provides increased traction and safety in poor road conditions by automatically sending torque to the rear wheels when needed. The SX4’s “Lock” setting engages front and rear wheels in a 50/50 split at speeds under 18 km/h for extra traction in deep snow, gravel or mud. It automatically returns to “Auto” at speeds over 18 km/h.

2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback. Click image to enlarge

The SX4’s only competitor with a similar system is the Jeep Patriot with its optional “Freedom Drive” and “Freedom Drive II” 4WD systems which provide a “4WD Lock” and a “low-speed crawl ratio” respectively.

I drove the SX4 most of the time in the “Auto” setting which is completely automatic and requires no input from the driver, other than pressing the button to the “Auto” setting. There are no binding or steering conflicts when turning and the driver is unaware of being in four-wheel drive. This mode is best used when weather and road conditions are unpredictable because it stays in front-wheel drive until slippery conditions necessitate a switch to all-wheel drive. The “Lock” mode is best for getting yourself out of a snow-covered driveway, up an icy hill, or out of deep gravel or mud. I tried it in loose snow (with ordinary all-season tires) and found that all-wheel traction is more instantaneous than in Auto mode, and dramatically better than in 2WD mode.

The SX4 is a good winter car in other ways too – it has beefy 205/60R-16-inch tires (mine had Bridgestone Turanza all-seasons), four wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist, a reasonable 165 mm (6.5 in.) of ground clearance, a short wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, a heater that warms up quickly, variable intermittent front wipers, fixed intermittent rear wiper and defroster, and heated power mirrors. But as I mentioned the SX4 JX AWD is not available with stability control.

On dry roads, the SX4 rides very nicely without a lot of chop and the suspension is firm but not jarring over potholes and pavement cracks. Handling is stable, but as it is a tall, narrow car, there is some lean. The power steering doesn’t require much effort and has a strong return-to-centre, but it feels a bit rubbery.

The SX4 is quick off the line and the automatic transmission shifts so smoothly that you barely feel it. The driver can slap the gear lever from D to 3 when sudden downshifts are required, and I found myself using this feature quite often. The 2.0-litre DOHC engine has a buzzy drone when accelerating, but is quiet when cruising. At a steady 100 km/h on the freeway, the engine turns over 2,400 r.p.m. in top gear. It tracks well on the freeway, but some tire and road noise, and wind noise seeps into the cabin.

The onboard fuel consumption display in my car read 10.9 L/100 km (26 mpg) after a week of driving, considerably more than its 9.9/7.1 city/hwy rating, but as my test drive included some aggressive driving in poor weather conditions, that’s understandable.

A car for all seasons, the Suzuki SX4 hatchback with all-wheel drive offers additional traction and safety in poor weather as well as the manoeuvrability, practicality and affordability of a small hatchback – but note that stability control is available only on the top-of-the-line JLX model.

Pricing: 2009 Suzuki SX4 JX AWD hatchback Base price: $19,995 Options: $2,300 (all-wheel drive, $1,200; four-speed automatic, $1,100) A/C tax: $100 Freight: $1,395 Price as tested: $23,790 Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives Specifications Specifications: 2009 Suzuki SX4 Competitors Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Jeep Compass Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Jeep Patriot Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Pontiac Vibe Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Subaru Impreza Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Toyota Matrix Crash test results National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

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