What's New for 2007

The 2007 Suzuki SX4 is an all-new small hatchback. It replaces last year's Aerio SX hatchback and features a standard all-wheel-drive system and a powerful four-cylinder engine.

Introduction

If you're interested in a small and inexpensive new car, 2007 is a great year for you. In response to higher fuel prices and changing consumer tastes, automakers have released a bevy of new subcompacts, many of them featuring upscale features and truly useful interiors. Of this new brood, Suzuki's new SX4 offers a few distinct features that make it worthy of your attention.

The 2007 Suzuki SX4, which replaces last year's larger and more expensive Aerio SX, is an all-new four-door hatchback. For power, Suzuki equips the SX4 with a reworked version of the 2.3-liter engine in the Aerio sedan. Displacing 2.0 liters, this four-cylinder is rated to produce 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. The Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris don't even top 110 hp, while the Nissan Versa offers only 122.

In the subcompact segment, the SX4's main calling card is its standard all-wheel drive. This three-mode system offers drivers a choice of front-wheel drive only, an "automatic" mode that splits the power on the fly, or full-lock AWD at speeds up to 36 mph. There's not enough torque to make it much of a performance enhancement on dry pavement, but it should come in handy for those living in the snowbelt.

For those on a tight budget, Suzuki happily points out that the SX4 is the least expensive new car you can buy with all-wheel drive. Thankfully, that's not the only positive attribute to the 2007 Suzuki SX4. It also has a slick interior design, sufficient features and, thanks to its larger overall size, plenty of room. The biggest negative to this vehicle is probably its weight. Being a few hundred pounds heavier than the competition negates the advantage of the SX4's larger engine. It also hurts fuel economy to a large degree. With that in mind, we think the majority of buyers will be better off in the Fit, our top choice for this segment. But the SX4's appeal is apparent. For those wanting an alternative, especially one with all-wheel drive, the SX4 is a good choice.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2007 Suzuki SX4 is a small four-door hatchback. Standard features include 16-inch wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, a CD/MP3 player and full power features. For the SX4 Sport trim, Suzuki adds automatic climate control, cruise control, heated outside mirrors and a SmartPass keyless entry and engine-start feature. The Sport also has a premium audio system with a six-disc CD changer, a subwoofer and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Powertrains and Performance

Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 143 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. It's connected to a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. All SX4s are equipped with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the automatic, at 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway, is significantly below average for the subcompact class.

Safety

The 2007 Suzuki SX4 comes standard with antilock disc brakes, a tire-pressure monitor, front seat side airbags and head-protecting side curtain airbags for all outboard passengers. Stability control, an unusual feature for this class, comes standard on the SX4 Sport but is not available on the base model.

Interior Design and Special Features

The SX4 has one of the best-looking cabins in the segment. It's a simple layout with large, three-dial climate control knobs that sit just below a compact, well-labeled CD stereo. The analog gauges are easy to read, the switchgear feels good and the materials look better than you might expect. In back is a 60/40-split rear seat that can be lowered and tumbled forward. With the rear seat stowed, 38 cubic feet of cargo room is available.

Driving Impressions

Though it has a powerful engine for its class, the Suzuki SX4 is no hot rod. A bulky curb weight negates any advantage and acceleration is no better than other, less powerful competitors. The extra pounds help give the SX4 a smooth, refined ride quality, however, and the standard antilock disc brakes don't seem to mind the extra heft. Big bumps barely upset the suspension and the sizable 16-inch tires provide solid grip.