2010 Suzuki SX4 Sportback

2010 Suzuki SX4 Sportback

When you think of small cars what comes to mind? A MINI Cooper, Ford Fiesta or Kia Forte? Maybe you think of the Hyundai Elantra because of our earlier report on its redesign. The question is does the Suzuki line of cars come to mind? Suzuki has been struggling in the U.S. marketplace for many years. Their motorcycles are well loved, but their cars aren’t well known. However, the gas incentive offer that Suzuki is now offering might spur some sales for the coming summer months.

2010 Suzuki SX4 Sportback

2010 Suzuki SX4 Sportback

The 2010 Suzuki SX4 is an interesting vehicle, especially in its Crossover trim with all-wheel drive. You probably have seen one even if you didn’t realize it was a Suzuki; their most distinct design element is the “pert, truncated tail” and according to TheCarConnection.com the SX4 line-up achieves a 7.6 out of 10 overall rating. So would a $280 to $442 cash incentive make the car more attractive?

Suzuki tried a similar incentive last year, but their market share has continued to slip from the .7% it was in 2009 to the .2% it is currently in 2010. The incentive comes in the form of a debit card, so we aren’t sure what prevents you from spending the green on something other than go-go juice for your new Suzuki.  Overall, the Suzuki SX4 both in the Crossover and SportBack trim get decent ratings and come standard with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). That said, we might know why Suzuki is positioning the cash incentive as fuel for three months—fuel economy.

According to TheCarConnection.com, the “Achilles' heel” of the 2010 Suzuki SX4 its fuel efficiency. The Crossover model has the least fuel efficiency with a rating of 22-mpg city and 30-mpg highway. The six-speed manual in the 2-wheel drive model with the CVT achieves 25-mpg city and 32-mpg highway. If you are looking for something a little bigger then check out the other eligible models: 2010 Equator, Grand Vitara and Kizashi.

 

[Source: TheCarConnection.com]