Touring 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Touring 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
The SX4 falls in a niche segment of affordable sedans that compile practicality, usability, and functionalism into a single package. It vaunts a generous cargo capacity, long-term warranty, and navigation system
If a car bears a Suzuki badge, it is undoubtedly reliable, competitive, and dependable, so is the case with the 2011 iteration of the Suzuki SX4. The SX4 falls in a niche segment of affordable sedans that compile practicality, usability, and functionalism into a single package. It vaunts a generous cargo capacity, long-term warranty, and navigation system. However, something that does not sit well with the SX4 is the absence of basic features across the base and mid-level trims.
The 2011 Suzuki SX4 is available in six different trims, each of which is distinguished from the other by the power and torque outputs and the list of features each carries. The SX4 falls in a price bandwidth that extends from $13,499 to $18,999 for the base and top-rack trims, respectively. Standard features on the SX4 include power steering, power windows, cloth seats, and daytime running lights.
Trim |
Base |
LE |
Sport S |
LE Anniversary Edition |
Sport SE |
Sport GTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$13,499 |
$15,195 |
$16,379 |
$16,999 |
$17,749 |
$19,899 |
Key Features |
Auxiliary power output |
Optional Keyless entry |
Keyless Entry |
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel |
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel |
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel |
|
Alarm |
Alarm |
Navigation System |
Steering wheel controls |
Steering wheel controls |
Steering wheel controls |
|
Intermittent wipers |
Cruise Control |
Power mirrors |
Cruise Control |
Cruise Control |
Cruise Control |
|
Power steering |
AM/FM Stereo |
AM/FM Stereo |
AM/FM Stereo |
Fog Lamps |
Rear Spoiler |
|
Power mirrors |
MP3 Player |
MP3 Player |
MP3 Player |
Navigation System |
Fog Lamps |
|
Cloth seats |
Cloth seats |
Cloth seats |
Cloth seats |
Cloth seats |
Vehicle Anti-theft system |
|
Daytime running lights |
Daytime running lights |
Daytime running lights |
Daytime running lights |
Daytime running lights |
Premium Sound system |
We Recommend
We recommend buying the top-rack Sport GTS trim, which at a diminutive difference of $5,000 from the base variant, packs all the necessary features you are looking for in a car. While other trims are also well-equipped, the Sport GTS’ features like a premium sound system and vehicle anti-theft system make it a value proposition.
The engine on duty on the Suzuki SX4 is a standard 2.0L inline-4 engine that produces different power and torque outputs. Starting from the base trim to the Sport S, the engine on duty churns out 150hp of power and 140lb.-ft of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The higher-level trims starting with the LE Anniversary Edition and up to the Sport GTS are capable of producing 148hp and 140lb.-ft of power and torque, respectively. They come attached to a continuously variable transmission. While its performance figures are not known, the SX4 does feel underpowered with the CVT setup.
Model |
Suzuki SX4 |
Hyundai Elantra |
Ford Fiesta |
Chevrolet Cruze |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$18,999 |
$20,195 |
$16,600 |
$22,995 |
Engine |
2.0L I-4 |
1.8L I-4 |
1.6L I-4 |
1.4L I-4 |
Drivetrain |
Front-wheel-drive |
Front-wheel-drive |
Front-wheel-drive |
Front-wheel-drive |
Transmission |
CVT |
6-speed automatic |
5-speed manual |
6-speed automatic |
Power |
148hp |
148hp |
120hp |
138hp |
Torque |
140lb.-ft |
131lb.-ft |
112lb.-ft |
148lb.-ft |
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
N/A |
9.4 seconds |
9.3 seconds |
9.3 seconds |
Quarter mile (mph) |
N/A |
17 seconds |
17 seconds |
16.9 seconds |
Top speed (mph) |
N/A
|
130 MPH |
119 MPH |
N/A |
In comparison, while all cars use I-4 engines and are channeled as front-wheel-drive variants, the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra make use of a 6-speed automatic transmission while the Ford Fiesta is the only car in the segment that makes use of a 5-speed manual transmission. In the acceleration test to the 60 MPH mark, the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze lead the segment clocking 9.3 seconds, followed by Hyundai Elantra taking 9.4 seconds. In the quarter-mile run as well, it is the Chevrolet that takes 16.9 seconds.
One place where the SX4 does lose it is its fuel-efficiency; the Suzuki SX4 averages 23 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. Combined, the Suzuki SX4 averages 26 miles per gallon of fuel. Its fuel tank has a tank capacity of 13.2 gallons and can cover a total range of 303.6/435.6 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively.
Model |
Suzuki SX4 |
Hyundai Elantra |
Ford Fiesta |
Chevrolet Cruze |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
23 |
28 |
28 |
24 |
MPG (Highway) |
33 |
38 |
37 |
36 |
MPG (Combined) |
26 |
32 |
32 |
28 |
Fuel Capacity |
13.2 gallons |
12.8 gallons |
12 gallons |
15.6 gallons |
Range (City/highway) |
303.6/435.6 mi |
358.4/486.4 mi |
336/444 mi |
374.4/561.6 mi |
In comparison, the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Fiesta average best-in-class efficiency of 32 miles per gallons of fuel, while the Chevrolet Cruze can average 28 MPG. In fuel capacity, the Chevrolet Cruze has the largest fuel tank in the segment, having a total capacity of 15.6 gallons, and can cover a total range of 374.4 and 561.6 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively. The Ford Fiesta has the smallest fuel tank in the segment.
Ever since it was introduced, the SX4’s cabin felt ahead of time and first-grade. However, over time and with the introduction of newer competitors in the market, the cabin of the SX4 now feels lackluster and dull. While all features in the cabin are easy to use and control, its general aura does not match the level of the competitors, which feels like a major letdown for a car that has amassed wide-scale popularity.
The SX4 has a total seating capacity of five passengers, which is also the segment standard. The seats feel rather comfortable and are suited even for long drives. The total head-, shoulder- and legroom on offer 39.6/53.3/41.4 and 37.5/52.8/35.8 for the front and rear seat occupants, respectively. The seat positioning is practical and allows for great viewing angles all around. The cargo capacity on offer is also the highest in the segment, with an easily accessible trunk having a total volume of 15.5 cubic feet.
Model |
Suzuki SX4
|
Hyundai Elantra |
Ford Fiesta |
Chevrolet Cruze |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.6/53.3/41.4 |
40/55.9/43.6 |
39.1/52.7/42.2 |
39.3/54.8/42.3 |
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.5/52.8/35.8 |
37.1/54.8/33.1 |
37.1/49/31.2 |
37.9/53.9/35.4 |
Cargo capacity (cu.-ft) |
15.5 |
14.8 |
12.8 |
15.4 |
In comparison, all four cars have almost a similar amount of passenger space, with the Hyundai Elantra having the maximum amount of legroom for the front passengers. In terms of cargo capacity, the Chevrolet Cruze has maximum trunk volume after the class-leading SX4, a small margin of 0.1 cubic feet. The Hyundai Elantra’s trunk has a total capacity of 14.8 cubic feet, while the Ford Fiesta remains considerably behind. Some salient interior features of the Suzuki SX4 include:
One major disadvantage that the Suzuki SX4 does suffer from is the unequal allocation of features. While the base variants feel rather ill-equipped, the higher trims feature an extensive list of specifications. Even so, every button on the infotainment system of the Suzuki is easy to use and is practical. As standard, the SX4 includes features like an element antenna and a 4-speaker sound system. Other salient infotainment features available with higher trims include:
The Suzuki continues to spearhead the segment with its distinctive and eye-catching design. The SX4 has subtlety written all over it. In its stance, the Suzuki sedan looks fine-drawn and a complete family hauler. Its front grille looks rather sublime, unlike other cars in the segment. The idea to not adopt aggressive styling works well as it allows the Suzuki SX4 to be the happy-go-lucky car it has always been revered for.
The Suzuki SX4 has a curb weight of 2,866 lbs. It is 177.6 inches long, 68.1 inches wide, and 60.8 inches tall. While its ground clearance of 6.3 inches is the highest in comparison, its wheelbase of 98.4 inches is one of the shortest in the segment. The curb weight figure is available for only one other sedan, and that is Ford Fiesta with a curb weight of 2,578 lbs.
Model |
Suzuki SX4 |
Hyundai Elantra |
Ford Fiesta |
Chevrolet Cruze |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2866 |
N/A |
2578 |
N/A |
Length (in.) |
177.6 |
178.3 |
173.6 |
181 |
Width (in.) |
68.1 |
69.9 |
66.8 |
70.7 |
Height (in.) |
60.8 |
56.5 |
58 |
58.1 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
6.3 |
5.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
Wheelbase (in.) |
98.4 |
106.3 |
98 |
105.7 |
While the Chevrolet Cruze is the longest car in the segment having a total length of 181 inches, it is the Hyundai Elantra that sports the longest wheelbase of 106.3 inches. The Cruze is also the tallest car in the segment. The Ford Fiesta features the shortest wheelbase in the segment and is relatively light when compared to the Suzuki. Some standout exterior features of the SX4 include:
The Suzuki SX4 scores highly in the crash tests conducted by the IIHS, achieving maximum points which speak volumes about its potential. Like its infotainment system, the Suzuki SX4’s safety features also vary from trim to trim. While base variants use a front disc and rear drum brake setup, the higher trims use 4-wheel disc brakes, which accord different halting distances. As standard, the SX4 includes features like daytime running lights and child seat anchors. Other salient safety specifications include:
When it was first introduced, the Suzuki SX4 took the market by storm owing to its distinctive designing and practicality. However, over time, without any major updates, the SX4 has started falling behind. The ride remains comfortable, and there is ample cargo space on offer. But the SX4 is relatively slower and is the least fuel-efficient in the segment. Its lackluster cabin only adds to its problems. While its safety features and ratings are exceptionally well, there are other cars in the segment that perform better. Consequently, if you are looking for an affordable family sedan, we suggest you look somewhere else.