Used 2012 Suzuki SX4 AWD Crossover SUV Review & Ratings

Performance

There is a lot to love about the 2012 Suzuki SX4 AWD Crossover SUV. If you want the convenience of a sport utility vehicle without the high payments at the gas pump, this vehicle is for you, as it returns 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

That being said, outstanding fuel-economy does come with a price. The SX4 AWD Crossover is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired up with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. Unfortunately, power is not a selling point for this vehicle as it only delivers 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, which is hardly enough acceleration power to feel confident on the road, especially the highway.

It does not have four-wheel drive independent suspension so you can expect to feel a few bumps in the road, but it is comfortable none the less. The super small turning circle makes parking as easy as a small sedan too. On the downside, it has a very small gas tank so despite the fact that fuel economy is outstanding; you will still need to fill up quite frequently.

Technology

• Navigation: An integrated touchscreen with voice recognition offers turn-by-turn directions and an advanced detour system.
• Audio: The SX4 comes with an in-dash CD player, MP3 audio input, four speakers and speed sensitive volume control. Also, the audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel so you never have to remove your hands while you are driving.
• Bluetooth: Send, receive and end calls safety through voice recognition, once again, leaving your hands on the steering wheel where they belong.
• nuLink!: A 1-year subscription is included, providing you with real time weather, safety cameras, airline departure and arrival, movie look up, low gas price finder and more.

Safety

The SX4 AWD Crossover did receive a “Good” rating in side-impact and frontal-offset crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, it was only granted a “Marginal” rating when roof-strength was tested. It does have eight standard airbags and four wheel ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution. Other safety features that come standard on the SX4 AWD Crossover include:

• Tire pressure monitoring
• Stability control
• Rear door safety locks
• Emergency braking assist
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Side impact door beams
• Child seat anchors
• Daytime running lights

Appearance

Seven fantastic colors complement the fun exterior of the 2012 SX4 AWD Crossover. The lower body sill, rear bumper protection molding and super low front bumper give it a sporty appeal. Just do not plan on driving much off-road travel in it as ground clearance is not much better than a sedan.

Comfort

The first problem you notice in the interior is that it has an elevated seat position with no telescoping steering wheel. This is great for shorter drives, but not so ideal for the rest of the population.

The gauges are easy to identify and use, but the navigation system features a very small screen that looks like an afterthought. There is really not much to get excited about in the cabin. Materials appear to be low-quality and there is a tremendous amount of hard plastic used throughout.

Also, there is only one cup and bottle holder in the rear, which is not very practical if you actually have passengers back there.

Cargo

There is minimal cargo space to speak of with the rear seat in place. However, the 60/40 bench seat does easily fold flat to open up 51.8 cubic feet of usable space.