The next most affordable alternative is the Subaru Impreza wagon. When both are comparably equipped the Suzuki lists for about $2,300 less.

Another fairly inexpensive all-wheel-drive car is the Dodge Caliber. When both are similarly equipped, a Caliber R/T AWD lists for about $3,600 more, but includes about $1,300 in additional features. So the Suzuki is the least expensive all-wheel-drive vehicle by a sizable margin.

I would likely have enjoyed driving a Suzuki SX4 more with a manual transmission. With the automatic, I found nothing in the driving experience that made me want to give up my Mazda. Acceleration is weak, and the handling is a bit tippy.

On the other hand, people who need all-wheel-drive and who want a relatively economical small car to zip around town in could be very satisfied with the SX4. It feels solid, provides a decent amount of room inside, and the price can’t be beat. It doesn’t accelerate or handle as well as a Subaru Impreza, but then it doesn’t cost as much, either.

Getting what you paid for? In my estimation, you get more than what you pay for, if not so much as to make the SX4 a screaming bargain. Which might explain why I had so much trouble finding one to test drive.

Source: epinions

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