Suzuki SX4 Review

Suzuki became a serious player in the small car class with the Swift. Now it's trying to do the same in Corolla territory with the SX4.

The SX4 has confusing nomenclature. It's available with all wheel drive, where the SX4 name makes sense. But the car we're testing here is a more recent addition to the range, a conventional front wheel drive hatch and sedan. So why isn't it called the SX2?

Anyhow, the base model costs $19,990; the S is $22,990. The all wheel drive hatch costs $24,390.

The base model includes an MP3 compatible in-dash CD player with audio controls on the wheel, two front airbags, ABS brakes, 15 inch steel wheels (16s on the hatch) and air conditioning.

The S adds side and curtain airbags, automatic air, cruise control, and 16 inch alloy wheels (15s on the sedan).

Selected options: Four speed auto $2000.

You sit high in the SX4 hatch, almost as in a people mover. Vision is clear around the car, assisted by big side mirrors and wrap over rear seat head restraints.

There's plenty of headroom, seat height adjustment and enough seat travel for most drivers. No reach adjustment is provided for the wheel, but it protrudes quite a way into the cabin, so the overall driving position is acceptable for taller drivers.

The dash layout is similar to the Swift. Simplicity, clarity and functionality are reasonable, however there were some inefficiencies and annoyances on the test S.

The audible indicator on warning is too quiet, we can't see the point in a keyless starting system when a key slot is also provided, there's insufficient covered storage handy to the driver and the air conditioning was only just doing the job on a 30 degree day. Sound quality from the audio system is tinny, and there is no plug in for a music player.

Cruise control buttons are on the wheel of the Sport, the door bins will hold 750ml water bottles and a bag hook is provided on the rear of the front passenger seat, where it's easy for the driver to reach.

* The SX4 is comparable in size to a Toyota Corolla, but slightly smaller.
* It uses a 2.0 litre, four cylinder petrol engine which produces 107kW of power at 5800rpm and 184Nm of torque at 3500rpm. It's a long stroke design.
* A five speed manual gearbox is standard.
* Suspension is MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear.
* Front brakes are discs; the hatch has rear discs, while the sedan has drums.
* The sedan has 195/65 tyres on 15 inch wheels; the hatch has 205/60 tyres on 16 inch wheels.

The SX4S hatch, with front, side and curtain airbags, scored four stars out of five in Euro NCAP tests.

The SX4 hatch scored 55 points out of a possible 120 in the NRMA Insurance security ratings.

The driver's seat is big, with a broad cushion and supportive bolstering. The backrest could use more curvature towards the base for better lumbar support.

Access to the back seat is easy. You sit high, on a firm cushion, with good legroom and footroom. Tall adults aren't forced into a knees up posture as in some rivals. Headroom is sufficient for those to 185cm.

Three child restraint anchors are provided on the rear seat back.

Boot space in the hatch is reasonable - better than the Corolla. The floor is large and deep. It's easily extended to 1.3 metres by the old style tumble forward 60/40 rear seats, which involves minimal interference with front seat travel but does require the folded back seats to be secured with straps.

There's lots of plastic, as is common at the cheap and cheerful end of this class, but fit and finish are tight, as expected from a car that's made in Japan.

Australian standard average fuel consumption figures are at the thirsty end of this class: 8.6 litres/100 km for the manual and 9.5 litres/100 km for the auto. Regular unleaded is recommended. CO2 emissions are also high, at 200/221gkm.

The 2.0 litre is acceptably smooth but it's at the sluggish end of this class when it comes to performance, so you have to get busy with the gearbox. The midrange lacks torque, which isn't helped by gearing that's optimistically tall in the manual. In fifth, it dies a bit on highway hills, where the cruise control can't maintain a steady speed.

It would struggle with the four speed automatic.

The manual has a light, clicky action; it will baulk at the gate if you try to hurry a gearchange.

The Swift is one of the better handling small cars; the SX4 can't replicate its ability in this class, where there are some very competent rivals.

It has soft springs which are slightly mismatched with relatively firm dampers. In tight corners, understeer occurs early. Quick changes of direction can upset the car's balance. The back end can become very light under moderate braking, and it moves around a bit too.

The steering is light and the SX4 is easily manoeuvrable in town. It's rather vague on centre at highway speeds.

The suspension deals well with smaller bumps but can crash and bang when it's given a whack by larger ones, so while the ride is pretty good overall, and especially in town, it can get harsh or rough surfaces, which in extreme situations can also give the body a shake.

Not a strong point. Overall performance is relatively weak, and as mentioned previously the back end can become light and unstable under brakes, especially in a corner. The electronic brakeforce distribution system may need recalibrating.

Average for the class. The engine is one of the more refined 2.0 litre fours.

You can buy a better car than the Suzuki in this very competitive class. We'd suggest the Corolla, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer and Hyundai Elantra or i30 at base model level, and the Subaru Impreza, Holden Astra, or Mazda 3 if you have $25,000 to spend.

Source: my nrma

2007 Suzuki SX4 Review

It is not a hybrid, it's not a Scion, and it is not a plush toy. This is a Suzuki SX4, but it looks like it may have started life as any one of those three. Instead, what you see here is the least expensive all-wheel drive car in America, which means that the power to all four wheels is no longer the exclusive province of the birth of the well-off and wristed thin. Of course, the small-Giugiaro designed hatchback (which is also sold in Europe as the Fiat Sedici) is inexpensive, about $ 15000, but that's not its only advantage. It is a discount in the Subaru Impreza and driving pleasure.

That's a bold statement to make, but if you can forget the car is relatively bleak fuel economy (23 miles per gallon in the city, but a test drive can make heroic to the average well below 20 mpg), it is quite true. The SX4 a snappy feel-tight steering and responsive to the holding of a dividing line on a ramp or cutting through traffic. It goes like swimming sperm. Its five-speed shifter proletariat is perfect. And it responds to changes in the weight transfer of a small car should easily and without much fanfare.

Although all-wheel drive system does not act as a real contributor in the implementation process, as in an Audi or Subaru, it is available for adverse conditions when a driver does not want to lock the differential in place until at 50 -50 Splitting up front to back. Otherwise, and at speeds of over 36 miles per hour, it is generally 95 percent front-wheel-drive-biased TI in normal mode, or entirely 2WD mode. The small switch is located between the front seats, next to the handbrake. The best fuel economy can be found in 2WD mode, but of course, you carry the weight of the system around all the time, whatever your schedule rallying. Purchasers of the Suzuki should not expect a fuel-efficient city car. They should expect a major greenhouse revver than necessary with all-wheel drive capability. At more than 2800 pounds, the SX4 is hundreds of pounds heavier than a Ford Focus or Nissan Versa. But if this issue if it contributes to the stability of the car? A philosophical question and macroeconomic (please, stay with me) should be: if Suzuki can offer all-wheel drive for less than $ 15000, should not everybody?

Source: suzukiauto

2008 Suzuki SX4 Crossover Review

Introduced for 2007, the five-door Suzuki SX4 Crossover was Suzuki’s solution to the need for a functional, versatile, feature-packed entry vehicle with a serious dose of attitude. While being the most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle in America, it was stylish, and very cool. It immediately caught the press’ attention: awards and kudos poured in, including Autobytel’s “Best Kept Secret of 2007” award.

The Suzuki SX4 Crossover is a versatile vehicle that packs a lot of value into a small package. It's currently the cheapest AWD vehicle you can buy, and it's one of the few in its class with available stability control. But it's not perfect, and if you don't need AWD, you may be better satisfied elsewhere. Despite its drawbacks, Suzuki has created a memorable, desirable CUV with the SX4.

The SX4 Crossover was selected as one of five vehicles in the economy priced category for Ward’s AutoWorld “Ward’s Interior of the Year” thanks to its ideal balance of bold and refined elements. A functional and high-tech center panel offers large, circular controls flanked by modern aluminum-colored trim. Instruments and controls seem to float as they are backlit by contemporary, high-tech red lighting, and the ergonomic design of the instrument cluster and dashboard provides -more- clear views of the meters and easy access to the controls for a true driver-oriented cabin. The sporty cockpit theme extends throughout the cabin with a dark interior featuring black cloth for a look both sharp and refined.

The transmission has been tweaked for improved fuel efficiency. A rear spoiler is now available, as are Bluetooth and sport pedals. Three trims are available: base, Convenience, and Touring.

J.D. Power information is not available. The only reported major problem so far is deactivated sensors leading to a low tire pressure warning. No recalls have been issued. Expect average to above average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.

The SX4 earned 4 stars in government frontal crash tests and 4.5 stars in side tests. IIHS scores are not available. Anti-lock brakes, front side airbags and full side head airbags come standard. The Touring includes stability and traction control.

The SX4 Crossover exterior expresses a bold attitude that appeals to younger buyers seeking something different from the ordinary small car. In concert with Italian design house Italdesign, and to fuse the vitality of sport utility vehicles with the elegance of passenger cars, Suzuki created a handsome, versatile car that delivers a poise and attitude far beyond the SX4 Crossover’s compact size. The SX4 Crossover’s cool factor was backed up by sharp design and lots of content, so Kelley Blue Book included it in its 2007 list of “Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000.”

The Dodge Caliber costs a bit less and has more cargo space, but lacks ABS, AWD, power accessories and air conditioning. The Kia Rio5 costs over a thousand less and gets up to six more miles per gallon, but lacks ABS, power accessories, AWD and has 30 less hp. The Scion xD has much less cargo room, but gets better fuel mileage.

The SX4 Crossover, now in its sophomore year, features a handsome five-door hatchback design, sophisticated standard all-wheel-drive system, excellent stability and crisp handling characteristics. The eye-catching vehicle combines numerous amenities with capable handling and a long list of safety features to offer a high level of functionality. The 2008 model gets a revised fifth gear ratio on the manual transmission model for improved fuel economy and NVH, new colors and an available rear spoiler. New sport pedals and Bluetooth1 connectivity are available as accessories. Starting at $15,270, the SX4 Crossover is the most affordable.

The SX4 Crossover features a rigid steel unibody and well-managed chassis, fine-tuned in Europe to provide good stability on the highway along with crisp, responsive handling, precise braking and minimal body roll. High body rigidity and reinforced suspension mounts allow the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to work to their full potential. The standard combination of a wide track and a large 16-inch wheel and tire package make the ride even more composed. The SX4 also features large four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment. The five-door SX4 Crossover also forms the basis for Suzuki’s World Rally Championship (WRC) effort. Trials for the WRC are taking place during the 2007 season with a full schedule in 2008.

Engineered from concept to be all-wheel-drive capable while still delivering dynamic performance, the SX4 Crossover features Suzuki’s Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive system (i-AWD), controlled by an electronic control coupling device mounted in front of the rear differential. The in-console switch allows the driver to choose the mode that best suits the driving situation. The 2WD mode dedicates power to the front wheels for optimum fuel economy in high traction conditions. In AWD Auto mode, up to 50 percent of torque is automatically apportioned to the rear wheels – without driver input – when pronounced front wheel slippage occurs to provide four-wheel traction and help enhance stability. The AWD Lock setting sends between 30 percent and 50 percent of power as needed to the rear wheels for optimum traction in slippery conditions. At speeds above 36 mph, the system switches automatically to AWD Auto mode for smooth cruising.

The SX4 Crossover offers customers an extensive array of standard safety features; notably, ‘peace of mind’ may be the most important. That is one reason why About.com listed it as one of the top ten cars for students. Active safety features include daytime running lights, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Electronic Stability Program (ESP)2, including traction control is standard on the SX4 Crossover with Touring Package. The ESP system uses a variety of electronic sensors to measure vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and yaw faster than a typical driver. This information is sent to a central controller that can intervene as needed.

Under certain conditions, such as when unintended oversteer or understeer is detected, the system can apply individual brakes and reduce engine torque to help the driver maintain the proper cornering line. Together with the traction control system, ESP helps ensure vehicle stability when cornering, under acceleration, during emergency maneuvers and/or when driving on slippery road surfaces.

Passive safety features include a safety-reinforced body with front and rear crumple zones designed to help absorb impact energy. The unibody structure is designed to direct the impact energy away from the reinforced cabin area. Six airbags are standard on the SX4 Crossover: driver and front passenger advanced frontal airbags and side-impact airbags; and side curtain airbags designed to help provide additional protection for outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. In addition, it is fitted with front three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point emergency locking retractor rear seat belts, ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors, LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) and a high-mounted stop lamp.

The body features a low, rising waistline and triangular-shaped windows forward of the A-pillar, gracing the SX4 Crossover with a sporty wedge shape indicative of its outstanding dynamic performance. The front and rear silver bumper cover plates, black fender flare moldings, roof rails, wide track and strong fender design also add to the appearance of traction and dynamic performance. The exterior dimensions provide outstanding maneuverability for crowded city streets and parking areas. The design is pure Suzuki – exciting, multi-dimensional and playful.

The attractive center stack contains a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers or a six-disc in-dash CD AM/FM/MP3 audio system with nine speakers, including subwoofer (Touring trim). Both audio systems are XM Satellite Radio-capable. Customers who want the convenience of a fully integrated iPod3 system can purchase an iPod interface from their Suzuki dealers. Once the device is plugged in, it works seamlessly through the radio – or the steering-wheel-integrated controls – and playlists and each song’s information appear on the audio display.

With seating for five, the SX4 Crossover offers both utility and style. The efficient interior dimensions provide comfort for both driver and passengers, and offer generous legroom and shoulder room, even for the rear-seat passengers. The SX4 Crossover’s 90.0 cubic feet of interior space is comparable to that of the Subaru Impreza wagon and Audi A3. The SX4 Crossover also features wide door openings for ease of entry and egress, and theater-style seating for the rear passengers.

Practical rear 60/40 split-folding seats allow for stowage of longer items. The second-row seats also can tumble forward for maximum cargo carrying ability. Luggage room is 16 cubic feet and increases to 43 cubic feet with the rear seats folded forward. Additionally, there are many discreet storage compartments located throughout the cabin, and all the doors feature large pockets and bottle holders for added convenience.

Source: buyingadvice.com

Suzuki Presents Cars on Geneva Motor Show

Today, Suzuki announced what are the cars which will be on display at their stand at the Geneva Motor Show. The main attraction will be the Suzuki A-Star Concept, which debuted at the New Delhi show, at the beginning of this month. The A-Star, which was developed by Suzuki Japan and Maruti Suzuki India, will be the producer’s offer in the small car class.

Also on display will be the impressive Suzuki Kizashi Concept and the Kizashi 2, which debuted at Frankfurt and at the Tokyo Motor Show. These concepts show Suzuki’s vision on the future of sports cars. Sport lovers will also get to see the Suzuki SX4 WRC racing car, which will be Suzuki’s first shot at the World Rally Championship.

We’ll also get to see the Suzuki Splash, aimed at small families and which will go on sale this March. So, a lot of cool cars from Suzuki and we’ll be there, at Geneva, to report for you, between 6 and 16 March.

Source: autounleashed

Suzuki: Kizashi Concept Release

With the Swift, Suzuki began the first phase of its world strategy and gave undiluted form to the attribute that was the theme of the first phase: sportiness.

The Swift won awards around the world by virtue of its superior dynamics and design. Suzuki subsequently pursued sportiness in the Grand Vitara and SX4, and both cars enjoy enormous success.

The Splash is making its world debut at the 2007 Frankfurt show and will become the first model in the second phase of Suzuki’s world strategy. In this phase, the theme is families. Having focused on sportiness in the first phase, enhancing Suzuki’s image in the process, Suzuki is now building upon what they have already achieved while refocusing on its main traditional strength: family-oriented user-friendliness. The next model coming after the Splash is the next-generation Alto, which combines environmental compatibility with agility.

Suzuki’s D-Segment Entry

Suzuki realises that there’s no point in entering the D-segment unless it can offer new value that can’t be given by any of the existing brands.

Suzuki paid close attention to the fact that the D-segment is broadly divided into two parts. In one part, there are family-oriented cars that are relatively large and reflect an emphasis on cabin roominess. In the other part, there are “entry luxury” cars that reflect an emphasis on performance, are relatively compact, and offer relatively high levels of quality and prestige. The new value that Suzuki intends to provide will not belong to either group.

Suzuki’s “Way of Life!” brand slogan is based on five elements: “straightforward”, “value”, “sporty”, “spirit”, and “excitement”. The words “straightforward” and “value” reflect Suzuki’s ability to offer products that are sensible and worthwhile. The words “sporty” and “spirit” reflect the emotional appeal of its products. And the word “excitement” expresses the core factor that Suzuki delivers to customers through all products. Among these factors, “value” (in other words, a level of customer satisfaction higher than the expected from products’ prices), is an inherent virtue of Suzuki cars.

It might be argued that all existing D-segment cars whose affordability is a selling point are chosen by customers because they offer a good balance of pricing on one hand and the rational factors of equipment, driving performance, and cabin roominess on the other. But the Suzuki D-segment car will be different.

With the D-segment entry, Suzuki is targeting emotional appeal as a way to deliver a level of customer satisfaction far higher than what might be expected from the car’s price point. In other words, Suzuki is the first carmaker to target an uncompromised combination of affordability and emotional appeal in the D-segment.

For sportiness, the car’s dimensions need to reflect a priority on performance. So while ensuring the cabin roominess that is essential in the D-segment, the car is as lean as possible. And with regard to design, Suzuki has thoroughly studied the nature of sporty, exciting styling in the D-segment and has concluded that the design of the new car should have two themes: grace and dynamism.

Since the overall theme of the third phase of Suzuki’s world strategy is status, the expressions of dynamism should not be brash expressions of power. Rather, they aim for styling that’s rich in character and conveys a passionate spirit.

The sportiness that Suzuki wants to deliver in the D-segment will perhaps be most directly expressed by the car’s dynamics. The kind of dynamics creates a sense of refinement. Suzuki’s engineers are striving to devise ways to maximize the quality of the dynamics not only in performance but also in terms of motion that stirs people’s emotions. This effort is vital because the kind of sportiness is measured not in terms of times and performance figures but in terms of how it makes people feel. Suzuki has already given form to this thinking in the Swift Sport.

Now, they plan to carry it forward and further develop it for the D-segment.

The Engineering Approach Supporting Suzuki’s New Initiative

In order to achieve its goals, Suzuki is taking a typically Suzuki-like technological approach. The methodology is to combine and apply proven technologies, thoroughly refining them in user-centred ways rather than pursuing features using spectacular new techniques.

This approach is actually one of the greatest benefits Suzuki has gained from its company’s motorcycle business (Suzuki is one of only a handful of companies that produce both cars and motorcycles). With a motorcycle – where the man-machine interface is even more crucial than it is with a car – establishing the dynamics based on data alone is impossible. Rather, it’s essential to conduct numerous road tests, verifying and interpreting each and every comment from testers and feeding the results back into the design.

At the same time, Suzuki is conscious of the great demand for environmental compatibility in the D-segment. The main response to this demand is the development of a hybrid car. Its goal is to use a hybrid arrangement (an internal combustion engine provides the main propulsion, and an electric motor provides assistance whenever extra power is needed) to achieve environmental compatibility without sacrificing an emotionally appealing engine feel.

Suzuki is planning to use all-wheel drive (AWD; a technology that Suzuki has refined over many years) to further heighten the car’s refined dynamics. For an even better combination of environmental compatibility and dynamic performance, the AWD development targets include the lowest CO2 emissions of any D-segment AWD passenger car.

Suzuki D-Segment Preview: The Concept Kizashi

Suzuki unveils the progress of the new project, a concept car called the Concept Kizashi, at the 2007 IAA Frankfurt show.
Kizashi is a Japanese word meaning “prelude” or “foretaste”. The name symbolizes the change within Suzuki.

The Concept Kizashi represents Suzuki’s passion for challenges (this is a major aspect of Suzuki’s corporate culture), its future direction, and the competitive strengths that are unique to Suzuki.

To fulfill this mission, the design theme for the Concept Kizashi is “a dynamic athlete in motion”. This is because its D-segment ideals are summed up by the attributes of a great athlete: dedication to sporting challenges, physical strength that comes from hard daily training, a honed physique with no superfluous weight, and the presence and dignity of a champion.

Suzuki made a particular effort to express the car’s credentials as a highway athlete:

Overwhelming presence that breaks the D-segment mould

The body brings to mind the lean, muscular physique of a top-class athlete, and a strongly protrusive front end communicates a dignified character.

An energetic look that immediately gives an idea of the car’s dynamic performance

Large wheels and wide treads express a capacity for high performance. The bonnet shape hints at abundant engine power. And the body hints at aerodynamics that enable the car to punch through the air while firmly gripping the road.

A sense of character and status befitting Suzuki’s flagship car

The detailing of individual parts gives a sense of exquisiteness and quality.

The Concept Kizashi is a clear sign of the great things to come from Suzuki as the D-segment initiative continues to take shape.

* Overall length mm : 4,650
* Overall width mm : 1,950
* Overall height mm : 1,400
* Wheelbase mm : 2,850
* Engine : Newly developed 2.0L 4-valve turbo diesel
* Transmission : Sequential 6-speed
* Drive System : Advanced i-AWD
* Tyres : 255/30R21
* Wheels : 21-inch, nine-spoke, aluminum-alloy

Source: 4wheelsblog