If you’re in the market for a cheap all-weather car or just a cheap, practical, and feature-filled pair of wheels, the 2010 Suzuki SX4 deserves serious attention.
For 2010, Suzuki introduced a new “Sportback” hatchback model. The Sportback livens up the SX4 range with its unique styling, stiffer suspension, and lower ride height.
There is a new, more powerful engine in all SX4 variants, as well as two new transmission options: a six-speed manual and a continuously variable gearbox (CVT), the latter of which replaces the four-speed automatic from the previous model year.
A redesigned front fascia, new instruments, a driver’s seat that can be adjusted for height, an auxiliary audio jack (delayed release), some updated navigation functions, and renamed trim levels round out the SX4’s updates for the year.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4 models
The Suzuki SX4, a tiny car for 2010, is offered as a sedan or a hatchback. There are two trim levels available for the sedan (Standard and Sport) and two for the hatchback (Crossover and Sportback). The Sportback, like the sedans, is exclusively available with front-wheel drive.
The Crossover is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Instead of offering a long list of customization choices, the SX4 has a wide variety of different versions.
The regular SX4 sedan is available in basic, LE, and LE Popular trim levels. The basic SX4 sedan comes standard with full power accessories, an adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt steering wheel, and a 60/40-split folding back seat on 15-inch steel wheels.
You’ll need to upgrade to the LE if you want air conditioning, a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, and an auxiliary audio connector (later availability).
Rather than a six-speed manual gearbox, the LE with the Popular option upgrades to a continuously variable transmission (in its place), cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
There are S, SE, and GTS variations of the SX4 Sport sedan. In addition to the features found in the LE sedan, the S adds a lowered body package, navigation, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, and four-wheel disc brakes.
Moreover, the SE provides the conveniences seen in the LE Popular Package sedan, with the addition of Bluetooth as a supplementary amenity. Automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, a rear spoiler, and navigation with MSN traffic, weather, and airline flights are just some of the upgrades available on the GTS.
The SX4 Crossover has three available AWD trim levels: basic, technology, and touring. In addition to the conveniences found in the LE sedan, the basic Crossover also has 16-inch wheels, a roof rack, and a rear wiper.
The Technology package adds a navigation system to the conveniences found in the LE Popular package car. The Touring AWD boasts all the bells and whistles of the GTS, save for the larger 17-inch wheels.
The Sportback is only offered in the top-tier GTS specification, which includes everything included on the Sport GTS sedan except the CVT and an MSN subscription.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Overview
Three years ago, Suzuki released the tall SX4 compact, and we were immediately taken with its big interior, extensive equipment list, optional all-wheel drive, easy-driving temperament, and affordable price. Our main gripes were with its lackluster acceleration and poor gas mileage.
Suzuki has introduced a new, more powerful engine and two new gearboxes for this model year in an effort to solve these complaints. An additional trim level has been added, called the SX4 Sportback.
The Sportback is a hatchback version of the sedan with the same performance enhancements as the Sport sedan. These changes include a lower ride height, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, and exterior design modifications.
The new 2.0-liter engine in this year’s SX4s produces 150 horsepower (7 more hp than last year). Compared to last year’s five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, the SX4 now has two additional transmission options: a six-speed manual and a continuously variable gearbox (CVT).
This year’s updates also extend to the bumper and headlight housings, the instrument cluster, the rear-seat floor vents, and the navigation system, which now features weather maps and flight departure and arrival times.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Expert Review
The 2010 Suzuki SX4 is unquestionably deserving of your attention if you are in the market for an economical all-weather vehicle or if you are just searching for a pair of wheels that is inexpensive, yet practical, and filled with features.
2010 saw the introduction of a “Sportback” trim level for the hatchback version of the Suzuki SX4. The SX4 portfolio becomes a little more exciting with the addition of the Sportback, which has revised exterior styling, a more rigid suspension, and a lower ride height.
The previous year’s four-speed automatic transmission has been replaced with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is available on all SX4 variants. Moreover, the manual transmission now has six gears, and the CVT has replaced the four-speed automatic transmission.
The front fascia of the SX4 has been redesigned, and it now has a new instrument cluster, a height-adjustable driver seat, an auxiliary audio jack (though its availability has been delayed), a few new navigation features, and some renamed trim levels. These are the final pieces of this year’s update.
Pros
The upper trims of this crossover hatchback come standard with a GPS system and benefit from an AWD system that is both affordable and effective.
Cons
Bad seating position, mediocre interior, and short stopping distance for the all-wheel-drive version.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Performance
Every Suzuki SX4s are equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. It may be paired with a conventional 6-speed stick shift or continuously variable gearbox.
When combined with the CVT, the engine’s power drops to 148 horsepower. Except for the Crossover hatchback, no SX4 comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The SX4’s EPA-estimated fuel efficiency falls between the basic sedan’s (CVT) 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined and the AWD Crossovers (CVT) 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined (22/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined).
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Safety
Each and every Suzuki SX4 manufactured in 2010 comes standard with antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags that protect the heads of all outboard passengers. All of the Sport GTS grade levels come standard with traction and stability control, including the sedan, the hatchback, and the crossovers.
Both of the body types available for the SX4 were awarded four stars (out of a possible five) in the government’s evaluation of their performance in crash tests. The driver of the SX4 received five out of a possible five stars in side impact testing, while the rear passenger received four out of five stars.
During testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the SX4 received the highest possible rating of “good” in both the frontal-offset and side-impact categories.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Interior
The interior of the Suzuki SX4 features a straightforward layout with huge climate control knobs that have three separate dials and are positioned directly below a radio that is both small and clearly labeled.
Although it appears to be an aftermarket addition and has a rather small display screen, the optional navigation system is quite helpful. However, the quality of some of the inside plastics is worse than that of some of the competition.
Although the SX4 receives high ratings for the abundant headroom it provides, we did not always feel comfortable behind the wheel of this vehicle.
While some of our editors have found the high seating posture to be quite pleasant, others have expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the steering wheel does not telescopically adjust. When adults are seated in the back, there is often limited legroom, but the high back seat cushion offers adequate support for the thighs.
The 60/40-split rear seatbacks in the hatchback fold forward to open up an incredible 54 cubic feet of luggage capacity, which is just 3 cubes less than the wonderful Honda Fit (however, the seats do not fold completely flat in the hatchback like they do in the Fit).
The trunk space of this car is a substantial 15 cubic feet, which is comparable to that of many other midsize sedans. The back seat may be folded at either a 60- or 40-degree angle.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4: Comfort and Driving
The 2010 Suzuki SX4 is not a hot rod, despite the fact that its engine is more powerful than the engines found in its rival subcompact vehicles. The fact that it has a curb weight that is normally higher nullifies any benefit, and the fact that it has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes it predictably weak in terms of low-end torque.
In spite of this, the acceleration is adequate for such a compact vehicle. The Crossover AWD suffers from low range as a result of its smaller fuel tank, which makes frequent visits to gas stations more of an irritation than a necessity.
The SX4 offers a riding quality that is polished and smooth throughout a variety of terrains. The suspension is not overly perturbed by large bumps, and it maintains a character that is solid yet composed even on damaged pavement.
The Sport trim levels offer the best handling of the bunch because of their lower-profile 17-inch tires and stronger springs. As a result, there is very little body roll while taking turns in these trim levels. Yet, the absence of satisfactory steering feel is a letdown for automobiles whose titles include the word “Sport”
Conclusion
The 2010 Suzuki SX4 uses the tried-and-true strategy of providing more bang for the buck than the competition. The SX4 hatchback costs about as much as a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, but it has a roomier cabin, a more powerful engine, sportier handling, power accessories, a quieter highway ride, and optional automatic temperature control.
Even though it faces competition from the likes of the well-equipped Kia Forte, the sporty Mazda 3, and the tried-and-true Honda Civic, we’d choose the SX4 sedan over Nissan’s Versa or Sentra any day. When comparing compact sedans and hatchbacks, the updated 2010 SX4 is a worthy challenger.
