Practically unrecognizable from its progenitor (the standard Suzuki SX4) and all new for 2010, the SX4 Sportback is a sleek, sporty hatchback that’s designed to offer more fun and energy to an otherwise economical driving experience. Roadfly TV and host Jessi Lang took a look at the Sportback, and here are their findings:
The Sportback’s engine is a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that musters 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. Although it’s not the fastest car in the world, the Sportback we tested came in a manual transmission and shifting was seamless and responsive, and we were able to change lanes in city traffic effortlessly. The Sportback’s reliability in traffic conditions exceeds expectations. The transmission also only comes in front-wheel drive; if you want all-wheel drive version of this car, you’ll have to check out the SX4 Crossover.
The interior is a touch on the simplistic side, perhaps even a little plain. You won’t find any bleeding-edge electronics or luxurious amenities in the SX4, but you won’t be disappointed either. Fortunately, everything is user-friendly and comfortable, nothing is overwhelming and all your gauges, buttons and controls are exactly where you’d want to find them. In addition, the navigation screen is well-implemented, popping out of the dashboard on command. Topping everything off, seating and legroom is ample, as well as unrestricted visibility throughout most of the windows.
From an economical standpoint, the Suzuki can’t be beat. Shouldered with an industry-leading warranty (100,000 miles or 7 years, and transferrable to a new owner), and an as-tested price of $18,383 ($17,949 MSRP), the Sportback is a nice little hot hatch for a great price, fun to drive in the city or in the country, and won’t kill you at the gas pump either. In fact, the gas mileage is impressive: you’ll be getting 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Suzuki’s come a long way over the past few years, and the Sportback is a great example of Suzuki’s dedication to producing efficient and cost-effective vehicles that can still offer a quality driving experience.