CTC Review: 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan     | Day 1


Day 1:

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It has been almost exactly one year since I reviewed the 2007 Suzuki SX4; Suzuki has now introduced the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan for those that are not so keen on hatchbacks, and it is quite a looker for a small car.  Year after year, car after car, I keep saying compact / economy cars are no longer the penalty boxes they use to be, and the SX4 Sedan reinforces this statement once again. More ...

[dasiuyan]

No matter it is the Aerio or the SX4,  the proportion of sedan is always weird to me.... thou, SX4 hatchback isn't much better, at least it looks a Cute-UV

[Cortina]

I really like the look of this car. Not bad for an hungarian made car. Nicer than the Aerio it replaces. Although I'm not overly keen on those massive side windows at the front. I wonder how different this car will be compared to the hatch. I can't imagine that it will be that much different. I guess will see. 

[mwqa]

Not bad for an hungarian made car.

  You're thinking of the European version. Canada is getting the Japanese built car.

I've heard that the lack of a folding rear seat was a design decision to make the car more rigid (and therefore improve performance).

How are the A pillar blind spots compared to other compacts? They supposed to be especially noticable in mall parking lots. The blind spots are one of the few criticisms I've heard about the design of the hatch and I expect the sedan would have the same problem.

[Demosthenes X]

I really do wish this car was offered with AWD, like the hatch.  And a big turbo... 

As James says, though, for the price, it packs a lot of features.  It's not bad looking, either.  Suzuki should be able to sell a bunch of them!

[safristi]

Leave the sedan version for the American "cross/mad border shoppers"...does the 2008 Hatch have all the above,plus 4wd (optional of course) and ABS/EBD...(any new thingies Trac Control for e.g?)..I personally like the look and Suzuki has an under the radar quality few seem to understand in their cars..BUT rave about in their BIKES,,,,,,   why buy the sedan?..with no folding rear seats....wdf is that about???

[CyberNick]

The lack of folding seats is a problem. All the other stuff sounds pretty impressive for the price. I can't wait to read your opinion on the build and materials quality.

[Bradk]

The lack of a folding rear seat is rediculous. This isn't an Evo fighter needing every ounce of handling. It's a good looking well priced family sedan and commuter. Practicality will always win over 1/2 a km per hour threw the slalom! Hope this is rectified by next year when I'm actual in the market for a new small car.

[safristi]

I'm sure Suzuki is counting on ya Brad and will make the FIX...in the Mean time in between time there is the wagon/hatchback if U hadn't NOTICED!!!!!

[Cortina]

Not bad for an hungarian made car.

  You're thinking of the European version. Canada is getting the Japanese built car.

Even better. These SX4's come loaded with a lot of standard kit. So that you only need to buy a base. SX4 sedan even has a block heater. To warm the cars engine on those bitterly cold Canadian winters. The only negatives so far are.  not many exciting colours to choose from. lack of a rear folding seat, well that hardly something I would worry about. I have no need for that. Lets hope it drives as good as It looks.

[jww]

Sedan?   

Hatch? 

[Demosthenes X]

The lack of folding seats is a problem. All the other stuff sounds pretty impressive for the price. I can't wait to read your opinion on the build and materials quality.

If the folding rear seat is a major concern, then look at the hatch.  It has a folding rear seat and is far more practical overall.

Really, when you stop and think about it, how often do you really need the rear seats to fold?  If you're answer is "not very", you probably don't need them to fold.  If it's "all the time", you should probably be looking at something more practical anyway.

That said, most of the competition does offer rear folding seats, so it's still a negative...  but probably not as big a deal as is often made out.

[articsteve]

Suzuki will be introducing 5 new models in the next 3 years.

A Camry and Corolla competitor available in awd, a re-badged Nissan Frontier and 2 weirdo units.

[safristi]

Desmo ya have ta know when ta FOLD 'EM...you'd be a Lousy POKER PLAYER..can u hold these....i have ta Straight FLUSH...... ..Suzuki and Models in the same sentence   are they Green,small wif gray goatees....?

[mwqa]

Suzuki will be introducing 5 new models in the next 3 years (including) 2 weirdo units.

I hafta ask. What are they?   

[articsteve]

the weirdo vehicles ?

[Mitlov]

Maybe one of them is the Suzuki Kizashi?

[mike b]

I read somewhere that Giugiaro's studio in Italy designed the car for Fiat, the famed designer.  IMHO it's the most striking car design in the segment and good value for the price.  I hate the extreme sloping windshield on the new Civic which you have to make sure you don't bump your head in getting in.  I'll be trading it in for an SX4 sedan.

[Demosthenes X]

That front end makes it look like something Darth Vader would drive...  if it came in black.

[Blueprint]

Being surrounded with econo-car buyers at the office, the one flaw I see in Suzuki's strategy is not having a decontended car.  Bring unpainted bumpers, 13" tires and no a/c with a 13 000 $ price tag and they have an Aveo fighter.  In the 20k$'s, despite the good looks and load of features, it's a hard sell.