2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport

Driver’s View

The SX4 has an enormous front windshield with odd triangle-shaped vestigial non-opening "vent" windows behind the a-pillar. This ventrangular-shaped glass adds a distinctive wedge shape to the car, and a great deal of forward visibility to the SX4 driving equation. All that glass adds up to better views. For a small car the SX4 feels bigger inside thanks to this giant greenhouse effect.


SX4 driver and passenger seats are up high in the cabin to help with this commanding position. The front seats come with handy retractable center armrests for times when both hands are not on the leather wrapped steering wheel. The sporty if not Spartan looking seats were comfortable even after a full day of driving from seaside to Sierras and back again. Door storage, drink holders and a deep glovebox add more function to the well-sorted interior.

Fully Loaded

Even with economy comes the convenience of the modern world. The Suzuki SX4 runs below 16K but features navigation as standard equipment. The navigation unit pops up out of the top of the dash with a touch and click. A few more taps on the screen and seconds later the Bluetooth paired right up with our smart phone to avoid breaking any California law while driving. The navigation automatically switched to night mode when darkness fell and headlamps were switched on. Interior gauge lighting turns a pleasant shade of orange, which is easy on the eyes for minimum visual fatigue on longer nocturnal forays.


The snub-nosed SX4 Sport sedan has a surprisingly gigantic trunk out in back. The 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space can be extended into the cabin by folding down some or all of the 60/40 rear seating. Rear seating is also positioned high in the greenhouse for stadium style seating in a five-passenger compact car. The standard CD/AM/FM Mp3 audio system can be controlled via steering wheel mounted buttons. Tilt steering along with power windows, door locks, and mirrors all come along for the standard equipment ride.


The Suzuki SX4 is a small car that leans towards being sporty but doesn't have the tendency to beat you up short wheelbase boy-racer style. The SX4 Sport is welcome news in a world where driving is an increasingly dull proposition for those on a budget. In a sea of economy cars that are seemingly purpose built to be little more than appliances, the Suzuki SX4 is a step in a very right direction. People expect a lot even from a low line economy car in the modern world. The Suzuki SX4 Sport delivers more than most. (www.suzukiauto.com)

About the Author
Mike Bumbeck spends a great deal of his time photographing, repairing and writing about cars and their odd effect on those obsessed with their powers.