Meet the new generation Suzuki SX4 hatchback, same as the old generation SX4 … on the surface anyway. Put a 2008 model against a 2010 model and I dare anyone to spot the difference between the two. Anyone who can will be quietly taken away and fitted with a straight jacket. As aesthetic makeovers go, this is a lazy effort on the part of Suzuki.
The original wasn’t exactly a looker to start with, so one can understand why they wanted to tart up their headlining hatchback a little bit more. But aside from some new alloys, a new mesh grille and an utterly irrelevant rear spoiler it is still: meet the new SX4, same as the old SX4.
The original SX4 was a great car in many ways. Great value, great to drive, practical and sales were steady. But when it came to hand-over-the-cash showroom appeal it was undercut dramatically by its mom’s-taxi styling. It relied too heavily on a buyer’s good faith to forgo style in favour of value for money and practicality. It’s a car that’s been hiding its light under a bushel and that’s a shame.
The Suzuki SX4 has undergone hundreds of under-the-metal upgrades, so it’s not actually the same car at all.
Under the skin, the SX4 gets a new six-speed manual gearbox that makes it fun to stir through the gears. It gets a new five-speed (not the old four-speed) continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox for football moms who can’t be bothered to step and shift. The chassis has been made more rigid and the suspension has been revised to iron out bumps. The result is good stability and an engaging ride on the road.
Off-road the SX4, even as a sporty drive, would put several hot hatchbacks to shame. No wonder it participated in the World Rally Championships for a season before Suzuki sadly had to pull out because of financial concerns. You get the sense that a lot of time was spent getting the behind- the-scenes engineering right, rather than just saucing up its styling.
Interior wise, the seat materials have been softened and comfy arm rests have been added for that Starship Enterprise feel behind the driver’s seat. A new instrument cluster has been fitted, although it doesn’t look particularly different or eye-catching compared with the old one.
Volkswagen owns 20%, so rest assured it is built like a bomb shelter. But I do take issue with the upright driving position — there is insufficient adjustment on the seat to go back or down into the cabin. So I, being of a six-foot-two-plus varietal, do get quiet uncomfortable not long into a journey.
Then we get to the biggest news of all: the new engine and the new all-wheel drive derivative. Thanks to some savvy Japanese technological work on the SX4’s outgoing 2,0-litre engine, the new model now makes 112kW and 190Nm — a 4% output improvement as a result of new variable valve timing, a silent camchain and higher compression. Fuel consumption and emissions are markedly improved thanks to these new technologies as well. The 2,0-litre manual now averages 7.3-litres/100km against its predecessors 8,4-litres, whereas the CVT gains an impressive 7,6-litres/100km against 9,4-litres in the old four-speed gearbox.
The all-wheel drive derivative does offer another and very appealing arrow to the SX4’s bow, propelling it firmly into the activity lifestyle market. The i-AWD (all-wheel-drive) system has three modes that can be operated on the move: Normal, Auto and Lock. Auto moves power to the rear should it sense you need it. Lock sends torque to the rear straight from the get go. Although it doesn’t get a raised ride height or different tyre or wheel combo, the all-wheel drive option does mean it will have some aspirational off-road (but mostly just gravel road) abilities. Most impressive though, is that the Suzuki SX4 AWD offers its buyer the most affordability and interior space than any other all-wheel drive vehicle on the market.
Now that sounds like something to shout about, if only Suzuki could have done just a little more with the styling. I think the SX4, and specifically the AWD, would be a great proposition to customers. I wouldn’t blame anyone for turning the other way based on its styling alone. But be warned, you’ll be turning away from one helluva car.
Pricing
Suzuki SX4, 2.0-litre, manual — R209 500
Suzuki SX4, 2.0-litre, CVT — R224 500
Suzuki SX4 — AWD, 2.0-litre, manual — R229 500