Suzuki SX4 1.6 DDiS - Long Term Test : SLOW BURNER

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Suzuki's SX4 has hidden talents that a long term test should get out in the open. Steve Walker reports.

As the market moves away from its obsession with compact 4x4s, there should be a ready demand for sensible family hatchbacks that retain a 4x4's look and feel. Such a car is Suzuki's SX4. It isn't a model that's going to leave bystanders aghast with admiration, particularly in its more affordable guises, but behind the forgettable bodywork lies a car that it's hard not to warm to. We've certainly been seduced by the little Suzuki over the course of our long term test.

It's with cars like the SX4 that you really benefit from a bit of time spent behind the wheel. There's nothing about the little Suzuki that's going to immediately knock your socks off on first acquaintance but the more you drive it the more it grows on you. How this helps the SX4 in a sales environment where prospective buyers must make a decision after showroom viewing and a brief test drive isn't all that clear but take our word for it, after a few hundred miles you'll view the car in a much more favourable light. This car's most obvious rival is the model it shares a platform with, Fiat's Sedici, though the slightly larger Nissan Qashqai might also be seen as an alternative, as might some of the more road-orientated `proper' small 4x4s. Like some of them, the Suzuki SX4 we've been testing hasn't even got four-wheel-drive. Ours is a 1.6-litre DDiS diesel in GLX trim but that means it's cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient than the 4Grip 4x4 models that Suzuki offers further up the SX4 range. These are attributes that seem a far better fit with this car's overriding character than the ability to drive up a muddy bank. As we've already indicated, visually the SX4 is nothing to write home about. It lacks the overt 4x4 styling cues that some of its contemporaries lay on so thick. There are roof rails and plastic cladding for the sills and wheelarches but the SX4 looks more like a high riding supermini than a thoroughbred off-roader. The interior is similarly low key but the uncluttered dash with its chunky controls works very well. The various functions for the audio and ventilation systems are extremely simple to operate and there's a tough feel to the plastics and the build quality that inspires confidence. The steering column doesn't adjust for reach which may be a barrier to some people getting comfy but the seats are firm and supportive with plenty of adjustment potential.

"A car that can surprise you if you take some time to acquaint yourself with it"

Space inside the cabin is reasonably generous. There's no shortage of headroom and plenty of space for a couple of adults to squeeze in to the rear seats. Taking three in the back would be more of a problem unless they were younger children. The boot is only 270-litres in capacity which isn't huge but the rear seats can be folded and tumbled forward with a simple pull of a chord to increase capacity. The 1.6-litre DDiS diesel engine in our model generates a modest 90bhp but it feels stronger than that out on the road. The 0-60mph sprint takes 12.2s but in gear acceleration is helped by the 158Nm of torque which is produced from 1,750rpm. Progress is accompanied by a somewhat raucous engine note but it isn't too bad so long as you aren't pushing on to the top of the rev range in each gear. The SX4's driving experience is arguably its best feature. It feels just like a conventional supermini on the road with none of the pitching, lurching or body roll that can become apparent in tall 4x4-style vehicles. The steering is accurate and well weighted, turning into corners neatly where the abundant front-end grip can be made the most of. The five-speed gearbox has a punchy mechanical action with only a short throw required to slot into the next ratio and it helps give the SX4 a nimble, responsive feel. Fuel economy benefits from the absence of weighty 4x4 mechanicals in our model and while we've failed to replicate the 53.3mpg that the car returns on the official combined cycle, returns in the high 40s are not unheard of. CO2 emissions of 139g/km also make the SX4 very reasonable to tax. Equipment-wise our SX4 covers the basics very well. There's remote central locking, electric front windows, a CD stereo with volume controls on the steering wheel, a trip computer and roof rails. The safety provision is also generous with twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS and three-point belts all round. Given the prices Suzuki is asking for its SX4, it's hard to argue with this level of specification. The Suzuki SX4 is perfect long term test fodder, a car that seems overwhelmingly unremarkable on first acquaintance but can surprise you if you take some time to acquaint yourself with it. The styling might be forgettable but robust build quality, a sprightly driving experience and low running costs all count in the SX4's favour. As an alternative to a run of the mill family hatch or a larger and more expensive 4x4 product, the little Suzuki could be just the ticket.

Facts At A Glance CARS: Suzuki SX4 1.6 DDiS
PRICE: £12,375 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.2s / Max Speed 109mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 44.1mpg / (extra urban) 61.4mpg / (combined) 53.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, Side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: (length/width/height) 4140/1755/1620mm