Buyers in the market for an affordable small car or crossover would do well to take a look at the 2013 Suzuki SX4, which is available in three distinct body styles—crossover, sedan and Sportback. Competing against the likes of the Nissan Juke, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Matrix, the SX4 has received a freshening for 2013 from Suzuki, including updated grilles and front bumpers and an updated navigation system that's available for some trims.

The 2013 Suzuki SX4 comes packaged in 10 different trims: Base, Base AWD Crossover, Base AWD Crossover with Tech Package, LE, LE Popular, Premium AWD Crossover, Sport S, Sport SE, Sportback Crossover and Sportback Tech Crossover. The crossover (Base AWD Crossover, Base AWD Crossover with Tech Package and Premium AWD Crossover) and sedan (Base, LE, LE Popular and Sport SE) trims can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while the Sportback trims can be paired only with an automatic transmission. The Base, LE, LE Popular, Sport S and Sport SE are all available with front-wheel drive, while the Base AWD Crossover, Base AWD Crossover with Tech Package, Premium AWD Crossover, Sportback Crossover and Sportback Tech Crossover have all-wheel drive. All are equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that makes 150 hp (148 hp when paired with the CVT) and 140 lb-ft of torque. The EPA estimates the SX4, which runs on regular gasoline, achieves anywhere between 22 and 25 mpg city and 30 and 35 highway, depending on body style, trim level, transmission and whether the vehicle is AWD or FWD.

Standard amenities found on all 2013 Suzuki SX4 trims include a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, remote keyless entry with panic alarm, power windows, power exterior mirrors, power locks, power liftgate, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment, 60/40-split folding rear seats, AM/FM/CD audio system, rear window defroster and 15-inch steel wheels. Available upgrades, depending on trim choice, include air conditioning with a pollen filter, cruise control, leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls, sport pedals, heated exterior mirrors, integrated touchscreen navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free communication system, front fog lights, aero body kit, roof rack rails, 16-inch steel wheels and aluminum alloy wheels in either 16- or 17-inch sizes.

Safety features found on the 2013 Suzuki SX4 include 8 standard airbags—dual front supplemental airbags, front seat side-impact supplemental airbags, rear seat side-impact supplemental airbags and side curtain supplemental airbags—as well as 4-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, electronic stability control, side-impact door beams, daytime running lights and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Current owners of the 2013 Suzuki SX4 rave about the design of the vehicle as well as the handling, especially when configured with AWD. Some owners feel that the FWD trims can be sluggish, in part due to the weight-to-power ratio of the SX4. Most owners give the SX4 positive marks for handling and cargo space availability as well.

The 2013 Suzuki SX4 abounds with safety and convenience features. Although slightly pricier than the competition, the SX4 offers a comfortable ride, variety of body style styles and decent gas mileage for its class. Although overdue for a major revision—a second-generation model is rumored to be available within a year or so—the SX4 remains a solid choice for those looking for an economical sedan, hatchback or crossover.