Behind the wheel, my first impression of the 2WD model in comparison to the AWD I'd just returned was that it felt lighter partially because it lacked the locking differential of the heavier AWD.
The SX4 was terrific on winding roads. Although the shifter is somewhat wooden, and the gearing short enough that you spend a lot of time shifting to stay out of the redline, it is fun!
Strangely though, the revs seem to lag behind, dropping slower than otherwise expected after upshifting. I concluded it was due to the computer-controlled throttle response time of the drive-by-wire system.
The small-ish steering wheel is sensitive to slight inputs, and, connected to rack and pinion steering, provides adequate road feedback.
The (Japanese-built) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. This places it at the top of its segment for power output (since the Honda Fit puts out less than 110 hp, the Toyota Matrix 126, and the Nissan Versa is good for only 122 hp).
The suspension, McPherson struts in front and a torsion-beam in rear, is rather firm. Although over bumpy surfaces, the ride is somewhat on the clattery side, the chassis rigidity provides impressive stability and a tight composed ride. Body roll is almost non-existent - it's very tight.
A crossover hatch... with aspirations of sportiness?
Indeed.
Last year, Suzuki announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it intended to enter a WRC prepped SX4 in the FIA World Rally Championships in 2007. Those plans have since been postponed until 2008.
The SX4 was terrific on winding roads. Although the shifter is somewhat wooden, and the gearing short enough that you spend a lot of time shifting to stay out of the redline, it is fun!
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| You will learn to appreciate tortuous roads. |
Strangely though, the revs seem to lag behind, dropping slower than otherwise expected after upshifting. I concluded it was due to the computer-controlled throttle response time of the drive-by-wire system.
The small-ish steering wheel is sensitive to slight inputs, and, connected to rack and pinion steering, provides adequate road feedback.
The (Japanese-built) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. This places it at the top of its segment for power output (since the Honda Fit puts out less than 110 hp, the Toyota Matrix 126, and the Nissan Versa is good for only 122 hp).
The suspension, McPherson struts in front and a torsion-beam in rear, is rather firm. Although over bumpy surfaces, the ride is somewhat on the clattery side, the chassis rigidity provides impressive stability and a tight composed ride. Body roll is almost non-existent - it's very tight.
A crossover hatch... with aspirations of sportiness?
Indeed.
Last year, Suzuki announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it intended to enter a WRC prepped SX4 in the FIA World Rally Championships in 2007. Those plans have since been postponed until 2008.
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| A SX4 for the World Rally Championships. |