Suzuki SX4t: Sport compact muscle car

You may pine for the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Shelby GT 500KR, but this may be future of pony cars.

The SX4t is small, it’s squat, and it’s based on an economy car. When viewed from across a parking lot, it looks a lot like a regular Suzuki SX4. Once I saw it in motion, the lowered stance, distinct noise from the wastegate-dumpin’ boost, and the carbon-fiber hood made me take a second look at the SX4t Concept. And after a few laps around Pocono racetrack, I came to the realization that vehicles like this will most likely be the next-generation of pony cars. Bold statement, I know, but hear me out.

I drove the SX4t at the last International Motor Press Association (IMPA) Test Days, an annual event for journalists in the New York metro area, where members assemble at one venue and sample press cars from a wide variety of manufacturers. For many freelance and local journalists, it’s an opportunity to get into cars they may not be able to drive until months later. And even for us at Consumer Reports, there are cars we may not have at our test track for months because they aren’t yet for sale, or may never be. Such is the case with SX4t.

Track time with the SX4t
When we tested the SX4 in December 2007 (road test and ratings available to online subscribers), we said it had good handling and great visibility as a little all-wheel-drive runabout. But, the ride was stiff and the 143-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was underpowered. In fact, the SX4 with a four-speed automatic was one of the slowest cars we had recently tested.

Suzuki worked with an outside group, Road Race Motorsports, and came up with a bit more power for the car. A turbocharger with seven pounds of boost pumped power up to 221 hp and 208 lb-ft of torque, sizeable increases for this small car. New springs, performance brake pads, a five-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels with performance tires, and some “go-fast-looking” details rounded out the package.

Running through the curves, turns, and chicane on the Pocono road course is where this little rocket shined. The upright seating position and windscreen made it a snap to hit apexes. And there is a different type of fun when tossing a small car around a track than piloting an uber-horsepower GT around the same course. There was a bit of bounce from the shock absorbers that are a bit soft and not matched well with the stiffer springs. But the little SX4t was really fun to drive. And I wasn’t just the only fan. Consumer Reports Sr. Automotive Engineer Jake Fisher and resident hot shoe thought it was one of the most enjoyable cars at the event.

So, what makes it (and its ilk) the next pony car? Economics. The cost of gasoline and rising car prices, compounded by the other rising costs in life, mean that there isn’t money for young enthusiasts to buy a Camaro, Challenger, or Mustang, if they are even interested in them. A point I am reminded of as we are testing these nostalgic muscle cars. (See our muscle car preview video.) Remember, the Boomers of today lusting after these retro-cars were the teenagers and twenty-somethings of the 1960s. Today’s Gen Y was weaned on compact imports.

That demographic today isn’t spending $30,000 or more on fuel-swilling car that is largely impractical. Their lower earning power and PlayStation pedigree means they need an affordable, reliable, safe, and fuel-thrifty car that is still fun. Big horsepower is exciting, but cars like the SX4t concept, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and the Scion tC are where the money from young enthusiasts will probably be going.

What cars do you think Gen Y and Millenials will lust after in their middle age?

—Jon Linkov

Comments

[Speedboat]

Yep, all true. I graduated in 1965 and now drive a '62 Nova hot rod. But isn't there some economic way to make these new pocket-rockets look like something...uhh...sexier? Remember the Karmann Ghia? Mechanically a Volkswagen bug, but lower, lighter, more aero. And although now it looks terribly quaint, in its time the KG was known as the Poor Man's Porsche.