With the current backlash against 4x4 vehicles, what is the yummy-mummy with a conscience to do? One answer could be the Suzuki SX4. It has the attributes of the 4x4 that is so popular on the school run: lofty driving position, lots of space for the kids and their paraphernalia, and the perceived safety factor (i.e. the children are not going to get hurt in a crash if they are in a bigger, higher vehicle). But importantly, the Suzuki SX4 does not look like a traditional 4x4; it's more estate car in shape and this should save mummy from the wrath of the anti-4x4 brigade.

The Suzuki SX4 has been around for a few months now, as has the Fiat Sedici which shares the same basic platform. A joint development agreement between Fiat and Suzuki sees the vehicles built in Hungary, but up to now only the Fiat has been available with four-wheel drive, which was an odd decision given Suzuki's long heritage with four-wheel drive vehicles. So it's about time this situation was rectified with the SX4 4GRIP.

'4GRIP' is the marketing name for Suzuki's selectable 4x4 system i-AWD (intelligent All Wheel Drive), which can be set in front-wheel drive mode, four-wheel drive mode, or automatic. When set in automatic mode, the Suzuki SX4 remains in front-wheel drive most of the time, with torque being transferred to the rear wheels if there is any wheel slippage. In four-wheel drive mode, the four-wheel drive system operates as a conventional 4x4 up to about 40mph, after which it is assumed that the additional traction will not be required, so it reverts to automatic mode, selecting four-wheel drive only when necessary. This obviously aids fuel economy, although most school run work could be done in full-time front-wheel drive mode.

Although diesel and automatic options are available within the SX4 range, at the moment the 4GRIP system is only available with a five-speed manual gearbox and 1.6-litre petrol engine; all other variants are front-wheel drive only. The 1.6-litre petrol engine (with variable valve timing) produces 106bhp and should be capable of delivering 40mpg (Combined Cycle 39.8mpg). The SX4 looks a big car; the styling and the height help with this illusion, but at only 4.14 metres long it doesn't really occupy much road space; or more importantly perhaps, parking space. Yet being tall and fairly wide enables the SX4 to provide maximum interior space for five passengers and their luggage in what is a fairly short vehicle; no longer than the average hatchback.

As befits its role as the family vehicle, the Suzuki SX4 has no shortage of storage compartments that are de rigueur these days. How did we ever get by without bottle holders in the door pockets? And even boot space is bigger than is usual with the rear seats in place at 270 litres, with a much larger 625 litres available with the rear seats folded. The rear seats split 60/40 and also sit higher than the front seats so as to not be so claustrophobic for young children who often see nothing further forward than the back of the front seats.

So, the Suzuki SX4 doesn't look like a conventional 4x4 and it doesn't really drive like one either. Yes, you get the high driving position that surely is what makes the 4x4s so popular amongst the mummies, but there the comparison ends. The Suzuki SX4 is quite agile for starters and doesn't provoke fear of toppling over when taking roundabouts a little too fast. It also drives with excellent straight-line stability on the motorway and up to 70mph it's even reasonably quiet considering the large frontal area. There is another reason to keep to the national speed limit, and that's fuel economy. Hold a steady 70mph and the fuel economy display will show around 34-35mpg. Up the speed to a steady 80mph and you lose a good 5mpg off that figure straightaway, and it's worse if you want to maintain the speed up hills.

Outright performance is fairly respectable for the genre, with 0-62 mph in 11.5 seconds being reasonable enough, although the cheaper two-wheel drive only model will do it in 10.8 seconds. It's a shame that Suzuki only sees fit to provide the six-speed gearbox with the (Fiat-engined) diesel version, where as the petrol engined SX4 has to make do with only five ratios. The brakes, big ventilated discs up front with drums at the rear, are more than up to the task of bringing the Suzuki to a halt. Overall I was surprised to be able to make good progress on longer runs with minimal fuss or strain on the driver or passengers.

It's something that no-one buys a car for, but the Suzuki SX4 received a 3-star Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection, a much better performance than most vehicles can manage and maybe comforting if things go badly wrong on the school run. For conventional safety, front, side and curtain airbags contributed to a 4-star NCAP rating and 3-star child protection rating.

I've saved the price until last. The Suzuki SX4 range starts at just £9,999 on-the-road for the 1.6 GL two-wheel drive model, with our review car, the SX4 1.6 GLX 4GRIP costing £12,999 on-the-road. So it's a lot cheaper than the 4x4 alternatives too.

---

2006 Suzuki SX4 UK range overview

- Suzuki SX4 1.6 GL 5-speed manual: £9,999
- Suzuki SX4 1.6 GLX 5-speed manual: £10,999
- Suzuki SX4 1.6 GLX automatic: £11,849
- Suzuki SX4 1.6 GLX 4GRIP 5-speed manual: £12,999
- Suzuki SX4 1.9 DDiS 6-speed manual: £12,799