Suzuki SX4 keeps you sane in the snow

The Suzuki SX4 is a great, fun car to drive

If the thought of slipping and sliding while driving on icy roads still brings you out in goosebumps, then you may be interested in checking out the new Suzuki SX4 i-AWD 4×4.

This compact five-door hatchback is a dinky little alternative to the larger 4×4.

Quite a small car, its lovely elevated driving position makes it feel like a larger vehicle.

The real selling point for the SX4 is that it can switch to 4×4 mode when driving conditions get difficult

And it is a really fun car to drive.

Inside the cabin, the six-speed manual transmission vehicle offers cruise control, air conditioning and an MP3/radio/CD player as standard.

Cruise control and audio can be controlled from the steering wheel.

But the real selling point for this vehicle is its intelligent all-wheel drive technology with three modes – which allows the driver, with the flick of a switch, to choose between two wheel drive, four wheel drive auto and four wheel drive lock, depending on the road conditions.

The 2WD option offers the best fuel efficiency.

Given that we’re in the summer months, I didn’t get a chance to really put the car through its paces in terms of driving in icy conditions but in ‘normal’ Irish weather I found that it handled well.

Overall, the new SX4 i-AWD 4×4, which is available from €20,950, is a really attractive looking car which I really enjoyed driving.

Tech Spec
Engine: 2l DDiS Euro 5 135 BHP (diesel)
Acceleration: 0-100kph in 11.2 seconds
Maximum Speed: 180kph
Combined fuel consumption: 5.3l l/100km
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
Annual road tax: €156 (Band B)

Visit Suzuki.ie for further information.

A version of this article first appeared in Metro Herald