Could this be a winter winner?

DO
YOU remember the snow and ice we got last December and January?

Well,
Declan Maguire, marketing manager with Suzuki Ireland, reminded me of those
horrible days of last winter when we skidded our way to and from work in cars
that were clearly not able to handle the severe weather conditions. Declan
reckons that the Suzuki SX4 will be able to handle the difficult conditions if
they reoccur this winter.

This
is a regular looking motor, but with the flick of a switch you can go from
two-wheel to four-wheel drive. A recent facelift has given the SX4 its own
distinctive look. It’s a five-door hatchback that blends the characteristics of
sporty compacts exemplified by the Suzuki Swift, with those of lightweight SUVs
such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, to create an exciting small car alternative.
Last time Suzuki brought this model into Ireland there wasn’t a huge demand,
but with out winters due to get colder, Declan reckons that the company could
be on to a winter winner this time.

There
are slight changes to the new model; they include a re-designed front bumper
and grill together with new design 16-inch alloy wheels.

The
new SX4 has an SUV appearance with wheel arch extensions, side under protection
mouldings and front and rear skid plates. The SX4 is based on the same platform
as the Fiat Sedici; both are built in Hungary and both have the excellent Fiat
common rail diesel engine. The Sedici, which is no longer on sale in Ireland,
was the official vehicle of the 2006 Winter Olympics, so that’s a pretty good
recommendation.

I
liked the high-driving position and there is good visibility for the driver and
front seat passenger. The controls on the dash are simple and well laid out
with slave controls on the steering wheel. I’m not in the six-foot category,
but I think most people will have enough headroom. In the back you can
comfortably fit two adults or three at a squeeze. The cabin has a bright look
thanks to an unusual design pattern on the front seats. The boot is a decent
size and you get a mini spare wheel.

On
the road the car handles very well, but the week I had the SX4 was one of the
best of the year weather-wise, so I wasn’t able to check out the benefits of
four-wheel drive on snow and ice.

Overall
it has a boxy look to it, but the roof rails help to give it a jeep look. It wasn’t
too heavy on diesel, but not as good as the Hyundai ix20 I had the previous
week. But then comparisons with the ix20 are probably not fair, because nothing
I have driven this year could compete with that Hyundai with regard to fuel
consumption.

Only
one model available, a 2.0 diesel which costs

?¬20,950 and road tax is

?¬156. I know it’s a bit early to be talking about
Christmas, but according to some long range forecasts the bad weather could be
here before Santa arrives. Don’t say you weren’t warned.