This is the final motoring article Andrew Hamilton wrote for The Irish Times
Nearly every manufacturer is trying to tell us that their offering is bringing us into new uncharted territory. Suzuki is the latest with their new SX4 and predictably it comes with all kinds of marketing hype and puff, like "a sporty X-over for all seasons," and "a new vision for compact cars."
But we will do our own quick translation of what SX4 is really about: a capable attractive-looking junior off-roader that slots in below Grand Vitara and above the Swift and is meant as an affordable alternative to more conventional family cars.
SX4 won't be making its Irish debut until September and while the posture is of an off-roader, most sales here will be of the two-wheel-drive variety.
Pragmatically, Suzuki offers both two and four-wheel-drive options, realising that the vast majority of SUV-type drivers have no inclination for dirty work. They divide roughly into "Outdoor" and "Urban" categories. Outdoor, plausibly, is more SUV in appearance, it comes with a chunky off-road body protection kit and its 4wd system is electronically switchable.
The metal on Urban isn't so flamboyant, befitting its role as a two-wheel-drive workhorse for the everyday commute. Confusingly, customers can pretend they are into rough stuff because there's a two-wheel-drive version of Outdoor.
The engine line-up begins with a 98bhp 1.5 petrol extending to a 120bhp 1.9 diesel that's actually Fiat-derived. In between there is a 106bhp 1.6 litre petrol.
Suzuki Ireland is envisaging an entry price of €17,500 for the two-wheel-drive 1.5 while the top specification 1.6 four-wheel-drive with its ready-for-action garb is likely to be around €21,000. No decision has been made yet about marketing the diesel but if it happens we can expect a tag of around €21,500. The suggested pricing for SX4 puts it halfway between Swift and Grand Vitara with the possibility of both shedding customers to the newcomer.
What of SX4 on the road?
A long stretch of French autoroute hardly amounted to a vigorous test but our 1.6 petrol model felt neat, tidy and composed. The engine note felt strained at around 120km/h. Otherwise the driving was harmonious, aided by a slick five-speed manual box and commanding seats. Most of us at the international launch saw it as another SUV-type product that's worthy, affordable and suitable for families.