Suzuki SX4Suzuki SX4: first impressions
Suzuki SX4: performance and handling
Suzuki SX4: practicality
Suzuki SX4: reliability

The Suzuki SX4 is a compact crossover, combining the qualities of a supermini and a sports utility vehicle.

Web Editor Adrian Higgins, who will be behind the wheel for six months, assesses its economy.

Price: £12,395
Mileage: 2645
Fuel consumption: 43.5mpg
Average Speed: N/A

Manufacturers attribute three different fuel consumption figures to their cars.

Models are put through a programme of acceleration, deceleration, idling and steady speed driving over two different average speeds.

An average speed of 12mph produces what is called the urban cycle, while an average speed of 37mph produces what is called the extra-urban cycle. Both tests take place over a total distance of less than 7km and the average performance calculated to produce the combined cycle.

SX4 stands up well in the real world

It is this which many road testers use as the basis for identifying the car’s “average” fuel consumption and against which fuel consumption is measured.

Unsurprisingly, driving in the “real world”, where inputs including braking, accelerating, gear changes and steering vary greatly from driver to driver, to say nothing of the journeys undertaken, including different gradients, stopping and starting and traffic and wind speeds, can result in very different fuel returns being achieved.

In tests the SX4 SZ4 achieved a combined cycle of 45.6mpg after recording an urban cycle of 35.8mpg and an extra-urban cycle of 54.3mpg.

Suzuki SX4 gallery

43mpg-44mpg

The SX4 does not calculate average speed but from experience my combination of primarily urban driving with 100 mile round trips to visit relatives can mean an average speed of as little as 20mph.

As such a fuel return which has generally been between 43mpg and 44mpg, without any concentrated attempt to conserve fuel, is impressive.

At the time of writing CO2 emissions of 143g/km mean the SX4 SZ4 falls within tax band F with an annual bill of £125.

Those thinking of selling the car on after three years would expect to get a little over £5,000.

Suzuki SX4: first impressions
Suzuki SX4: performance and handling
Suzuki SX4: practicality
Suzuki SX4: reliability