Review of the new Suzuki SX4 - Long Term Test

The old petrol versus diesel conundrum has perplexed plenty of car buyers over the years and it's as relevant as ever today. The balance of power between our two favourite fuels has ebbed and flowed over time but there's still no definitive answer. Too much depends on the tastes and requirements of the individual driver as well as on the particular car and engine in question. Despite all of that, long term test drives in petrol and diesel versions of Suzuki's SX4 have left us feeling well qualified to have a stab at resolving the old debate, at least where this supermini-sized soft-roader is concerned.

We spent the best part of three months with the 1.6-litre DDiS diesel version of Suzuki's SX4 and then had an extended turn in the 1.6-litre petrol variant. The results were enlightening with the two identically-sized engines serving up very different experiences behind the wheel.

Let's look at those engines first. The petrol unit is the entry-level choice in the range with the diesel, as usual, costing more. For a car a shade over four meters long and weighing another shade over one tonne, this SX4 isn't short on horsepower. It develops a meaty 118bhp with 156Nm of torque. A respectable 0-60mph sprint of 10.7s and a 115mph top speed in front-wheel-drive guise make this the fastest SX4 too. The diesel option is a Peugeot-sourced 1.6-litre DDiS unit with 89bhp. It's a solid performer without the petrol's zip but with plenty of muscle through the lower reaches of the rev range thanks to 215Nm from 1,750rpm. It takes 12.2s to reach 60mph.

The high shape and elevated ride height don't lead you to expect much from the SX4 on the road but the driving experience is arguably its best feature. It feels much like a conventional supermini, with little of the pitching and lurching that can blight tall 4x4-style vehicles. The SX4 is also well capable on longer journeys where the cabin stays quiet and the ride not overly choppy. The petrol engine is smoother in the way it delivers its power and in the noise it makes when doing so. It can still get noisy when you let the revs rise but that's part of the fun. The diesel is gruffer sounding but feels stronger if you're careful to stay plugged into the sweet spot in the rev range where it's producing its best torque.

"Low mileage drivers will get more from the petrol."

In general, the SX4 is good to drive. The steering is accurate and well weighted, the car turning into corners neatly. The five-speed gearbox also has a good weight to it with a punchy, mechanical action and only a short throw required to slot the next ratio home. The steering may be a touch heavy for some tastes when parking but it adds reassurance on the open road and in general, the little Suzuki is characterised by a nimble, responsive, fun feel.

For pure driving pleasure, the petrol engine might just have the edge. The diesel is more relaxed because of its mid-range muscle but the petrol option is quicker, more eager and probably slightly easier on the ears. It's a close run thing but what about the running costs? Combined cycle fuel economy from the SX4's engines is 45.6mpg from the petrol and 57.6mpg from the 1.6 diesel with CO2 emissions pegged at 143g/km and 129g/km respectively. That's quite a gap but some of the diesel engine's advantage is taken away by the fact that it's around £1,000 more expensive to buy in the first place. As is usually the case, we couldn't replicate the official figures on our test drive but the returns we achieved preserved the diesel unit's advantage.

Away from the engine bay, the SX4 is a practical small car. You quickly notice how much easier it is to get in and out of an SX4 than a low slung sportscar or even a conventional supermini. It's that bit higher, so it's more straightforward to step in and out with no hoisting or lowering involved.

It's a similar situation at the rear where the boot's loading lip is similarly well located. The SX4 has happily accommodated the results of a number of £100+ supermarket spends and the various carrier bags are contained within the deep, square space very effectively. Getting larger items in is less easy because that boot floor is a few inches lower than the opening and although the back seats fold down easily with the release of one reassuringly chunky catch, the extra space they create doesn't sit flush with the existing boot.

Further advantages of the SX4's taller shape are felt in the driving position which is upright and has decent all-round visibility. You can see the extremities of the car and this, along with the stubby bonnet and flat rear, helps a lot when edging into tight parking spaces. More user-friendliness abounds in the cabin which, while lacking much by way of visual excitement, is also without those little annoyances that can get right up you nose over time.

The amount of storage space is an issue as the SX4 can only offer slim door pockets and a few cup holders in the centre console but elsewhere, the fat buttons and hearty dials are great to use. The materials are also of decent quality and put together in a very sturdy fashion: this is certainly a car that you can strap your kids into and feel confident that they won't rip it to shreds.

Few buyers are going to be attracted to the SX4 by its sharp looks but give it a chance and there's a lot to like. It's sturdy, reasonably practical and the driving experience is very rewarding but do you choose a petrol or diesel engine? As keen drivers, we'd go for the livelier petrol. But as much as we wanted to come out with a definitive answer on the issue, there is something to be said for the oil burner with its big pulling power and low running costs.

It's becoming a cliche when trying to separate petrol and diesel cars but much will depend on the kind of driving you do. Low mileage drivers will get more from the petrol but cover more distance on average and the low costs of the oil-burner will be hard to turn down. So there you have it, the petrol versus diesel debate rumbles on.

TOP 5 SX4 DEALS

The results below show the top SX4 deals on buyacar

Suzuki SX4 2.0 DDiS SZ5 4X4 5dr diesel hatchback
Price £15,000 Read SX4 Reviews	Save £2,390
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Price £13,563 Read SX4 Reviews	Save £2,027
Suzuki SX4 1.6 SZ3 5dr hatchback
Price £11,159 Read SX4 Reviews	Save £1,426
Suzuki SX4 1.6 SZ4 5dr hatchback
Price £11,795 Read SX4 Reviews	Save £1,585
Suzuki SX4 1.6 SZ4 5dr Auto hatchback
Price £12,757 Read SX4 Reviews	Save £1,818
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