Hottest Hatch? Frugal Fun?

Enjoyed the article, but out of my own curiosity I was wondering why the Suzuki SX4 Sportback GTS didn't even make the "Didn't quite make the cut" cut.

Stock with KYB's, stiffer sways, lower springs, 4 wheel discs, 17's, 6-speed? 150 hp with 2800 lbs? $18,000?

I'll admit my sports car experience is with older machinery (X1/9, MGB's, 1st gen Celica GT, 1st gen RX7) so with the modern stuff I may not be a good judge so with that I test drove both the Cooper and the SX4 and I felt the SX4 was faster.

As a side note, one of the cars that "didn't quite make the cut" is later shown in this issue as making the top ten in H Prod. in the Runoffs.

There's a local one with paint-matched wheels that looks fantastic, and a suzuki dealership about 20 miles up the road turbo'd one.

I wouldnt expect it ever be fast without major work. Even the two turbo'd ones ive seen were not fast.

But, if you want it mostly for what it already is, i say do it. They're neat looking, unique, awd (all or some?), and cheapish for new cars.

Let's be clear, what I'm talking about here is the FWD Sportback not the AWD Crossover.

I already bought one over 4 months ago and I love it. I'm just trying to defend it's honor. I believe if it was included in this months GRM article "Hottest Hatch", It would have held its own against the three cars they chose.

My car's 0-60 is in the mid 8's. CR-Z 9.7 Mazda2 9.5 MINI Cooper 8.5

It's not that we didn't like the SX4. I haven't had the opportunity to play with the FWD version, but we liked the AWD version pretty well.

Should it have made the cut? Maybe. Feedback like this is always considered for future editorial features, so thanks for sounding off.

sounds interesting. I am looking at the 1984 VW Rabbit GTI replacement......or was that the 1972 Datsun 510 replacement?

Too bad I owned neither but I heard a few good things about those cars.

Yeah.... what is wrong with you guys? Silly editors... that's why you need me on the payroll. I'd keep you straightened out.

While in enjoyed reading about the cars in the comparison, it sort of seemed like apples to oranges.

Mazda 2 vs Honda Fit Sport vs Accent SE vs base Mini vs.........?

Yes I am biased and yes I am butthurt that the Accent is generally always forgotten/ignored when people start talking subcompacts.

Fuel economy is pretty poor @ 22mpg city/30mpg highway. I can get an AWD Subie with more power and get similar economy. I think to be classified as "frugal fun" the vehicle needs to get atleast mid 30's mpg highway. The new Ford Focus is going to set the standard (same fuel economy as the fiesta w/ 170hp).

failboat wrote: Yes I am biased and yes I am butthurt that the Accent is generally always forgotten/ignored when people start talking subcompacts.

I agree.. South Korea's most well known Subcompact should get more respect

mad_machine wrote: I agree.. South Korea's most well known Subcompact should get more respect

That would be the Veloster, no?

YaNi wrote: Fuel economy is pretty poor @ 22mpg city/30mpg highway. I can get an AWD Subie with more power and get similar economy. I think to be classified as "frugal fun" the vehicle needs to get atleast mid 30's mpg highway. The new Ford Focus is going to set the standard (same fuel economy as the fiesta w/ 170hp).

Actually, according to Edmunds the 2.5i Imp is close to me on 0-60 but fuel mileage at 20/27 with a 5-speed stick (to my 6-speed stick). I also feel it's a little too large to be considered for the sub-compact "hot" hatches we are talking about, and the same goes with the Focus.

I would put my SX4 Sportback GTS up against the MINI Cooper (non-S) any day. I really think it's the funnest car nobody's heard about.