As extreme European winters become more widespread, the popularity of cars that can adequately handle such conditions grows. Not everyone wants a full-blown 4×4 off-roader, just a regular drive that will be a better and safer bet when the weather turns.

The Suzuki SX4 is one such example. Not the obvious choice, perhaps, but this car, originally built jointly with Fiat (the Sedici), is good at hiding its light under a bushel. Available also in two-wheel drive only versions, the SX4 is outwardly a five-door hatch with a little extra height. The SX4 4WD utilises Suzuki’s well-proven drive train, offering auto switching between two and four-wheel drive as it senses changes in conditions. When not required, the driver can switch to 2WD mode only.

Occupants sit relatively high in the very airy cabin. The interior does not excite and shows the age of its design. Nothing much in the way of technology in here: basic but relatively effective functionality. Whilst the seats are comfortable, the seat centres are reminiscent in appearance of corrugated iron. There is height adjustment on the driver’s seat but sadly only tilt movement – no reach – on the steering column. Boot capacity is OK, although the volume is achieved through height rather than floor area.

On the road, the SX4 acquits itself perfectly well. In petrol form, the car is lighter and more agile than its heavier diesel sibling, yet the recently introduced 2.0-litre diesel (Fiat’s MultiJet unit), whilst grumbling to itself, delivers a good performance and will happily cruise at 140kph all day long. Roadholding is quite supple, the ride comfortable and the power assistance is well balanced without being too light. All in all, a good and predictable drive.

So, in winter, how does it fare? In the almost balmy December conditions recently encountered, it was necessary to “fake” the ice and snow by driving through mud and water. The SX4 applied its four-wheel drive seamlessly to the extent that you would wonder if you were, in fact, driving on dry, good quality tarmacadam. But then we know such surfaces no longer exist, so it must have been the drivetrain that was keeping control.

Throughout Europe, the SX4 pops up in concentrations wherever the conditions might become challenging. In Germany, you can get the SX4 as a two-wheel drive, booted, four-door limousine (which makes the hatch look pretty). OK, it is not the must-have car, it is neither sexy nor aspirational, but it can and does deliver, is competitively priced and clearly fills a demand.

'Strengths'

Need an all-season car without the bulk or cost of an SUV or off-roader? You might consider the SX4. Competitive pricing, practical format and acceptable, if not sparkling performance. When it comes to ticking boxes on the “practical” list, it does a good job.

'Weaknesses'

This car is showing its age. Whilst wearing well, it lacks some of the current generation standard fitments now considered “de rigueur”.

'Opportunities'

In 4WD form, this car, with its MultiJet diesel power unit, offers a particularly good proposition for cost-focused organisations – public sector and utilities come to mind. Suzuki has never been a strong fleet contender, but as it strengthens its model range and looks more towards fleet (it now has a dedicated fleet operation in the UK), cost-effective propositions such as SX4 should gain a higher profile.

'Threats'

There are few direct competitors for the SX4 and it must be said that, in 4WD form, it runs in a narrow market segment. Perhaps closest are the Toyota Urban Cruiser 4WD and the Nissan Juke 4WD, which are better specced but admittedly a lot more expensive than the Suzuki.

Suzuki retains the old-style Far East approach of limited choice in a market commanded by user-chooser expectations of big option lists and clever marketing towards the “tailored”, almost bespoke vehicle choice.