Suzuki SX4: The Ultimate Compact AWD?

Motoring Channel Staff - 25/Jan/2007

Melbourne, Australia — Hot on the heels of the successful Swift and Swift Sport models, Suzuki Australia today launched it's next new compact model, the SX4. The new car will go on sale here on February the 1st, after it's local unveiling at the Brisbane Motor Show.

Bigger than the Swift models, but not as large as the Vitara, Suzuki is predicting a surge in sales based on a number of factors. The car is a 4WD vehicle, which are still proving popular in today's new car markets, and the entry level model fetches $24,390, which is very cheap.

It has 200mm of ground clearance, which should give the ability to cut across some basic 4WD tracks without getting snagged, and is powered by a 107kW 2.0-litre engine. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be offered as well.

The new built-in-Japan Suzuki SX4 is not as big as the Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester, and it's closest competitors are small cars like the AWD Subaru Impreza sports wagon.

As the third model in Suzuki's current new car strategy, the Japanese company says the SX4 successfully combines the sporty compact car innovation of the Swift and the strong 4WD tradition of the Grand Vitara to create Suzuki's first 'sports cross-over vehicle'.

Launched overseas in 2006, the SX4 has blown apart sales forecasts, proving very popular, where Suzuki reports that close to 20,000 units were sold in less than a year, following positive media reviews and road tests in Europe and North America.

According to Suzuki, the SX4 was created for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, and is consistent with Suzuki’s "Way of Life" brand philosophy. It asserts that the SX4's strength lies in its dynamic cross-over design and versatile driving capabilities, which gives the owner the flexibility and capabilities of 4WD with the benefits of a fuel efficient passenger car.

Only one model will initially be offered in Australia from the 1st of February 2007, priced at $24,390 for 5-speed manual model and $26,390 for the automatic version. Currently there is model shortage and supply may not meet demand in Australia during its first few months on sale, but is expected to equalise when new production facilities open in Japan later in the year.

"The Suzuki SX4 is the perfect combination of design, attention to engineering detail and practicality, it is an exceptional car and we are confident it will be a huge success in Australia as it has already proven overseas," stated Suzuki's Australian chief, Takeshi Hayasaki.

"We believe the broad appeal of the SX4 will attract interest from couples and young families around Australia, and translate into 2,000 units sold this year in 2007," added Hayasaki.

According to Suzuki the SX4 continues the recent trend of European inspired styling, and Suzuki even flew its design team to Italy (where the car is badged as the Fiat Seidieci) for styling cues from various design studios, and the inclusion of roof rails adds functionality to the vehicle, as do protective wheel arch mouldings. The body is relatively wide at 1,755mm and Suzuki lists the car as a 5-seater.

Features

Priced at below $25,000, and featuring a three-mode 4WD system similar to those seen on Nissan 4x4s, the SX4 gets a strong standard features list, which is led by a keyless security system. In essence, drivers don't even have to push a button to unlock the doors or even start the engine, because a small transmitter is built-in to the ignition key which unlocks the car's security systems when the driver approaches.

The following features are also included as standard on Australian models: 

Power steering
Cruise control
Climate control air conditioning
8-speaker CD stereo, MP3 compatible
Electric windows and mirrors
Steering wheel mounted audio control
Front fog lamps
16-inch alloy wheels
ABS brakes (with EBD)
SRS airbags

As well as ABS, the SX4 also gets more airbags than most $25,000 cars, six in total: two front, two side and two curtain airbags.The safety features in place for occupant protection were recently recognised with the SX4 receiving a EURO NCAP rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Suzuki's new car has 270 litres of boot space, which rises to 625 litres when the seats are tumbled forward, which isn't class leading unlike much of the cars other features. A range of other storage solutions have also been included, such as front and rear cup holders, seatback pockets, front door pockets and a tray under the front passenger seat.

Engine

Suzuki explains the SX4 is equipped with it's J20A engine, used in previous Suzuki models. The engine has been subjected to extensive development says the Japanese marque, and is now equipped with the company's Intake Manifold Tuning system that helps to deliver greater power across a broader rev range. With this new intake system, the power has been increased from a base of 96kW @ 6000rpm to 107kW @ 5800rpm. 

Gearbox types include the 5-speed manual transmission, which is the standard 'box, while a 4-speed automatic transmission can be had for an extra $2,000 over the base price.

4WD System

With 200mm of ground clearance and a dedicated AWD system, the SX4 was developed from the outset to be off-road vehicle: Suzuki claims that the SX4 was not a vehicle to which a 4x4 system was simply added later.

Dubbed the i-AWD, which stands for "intelligent All Wheel Drive", Suzuki explains that the SX4's 4WD system is a switch operated three mode 4x4 system, featuring 2WD, 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock. The switch for the tri-mode system is located next the hand brake on the transmission tunnel.

• 2WD – Only the front wheels provide the drive in this mode, which saves fuel and is best for normal driving conditions on dry surfaces.

• 4WD Auto – This the 'default' drive mode for the SX4, and almost all the engine power goes to the front wheels. Power going to the rear is automatically increased or decreased to match traction requirements, and is practical in wet weather conditions or unsealed roads.

• 4WD Lock – Lock mode provides "ample torque" to rear wheels from start up for effective escapes in low traction conditions such as mud or snow. The system automatically switches over to, and remains in 4WD Auto, at speeds over 60 km/h so the axles don't get damaged when cornering.

The "intelligent" 4WD controller constantly monitors driving conditions in order to deliver the most efficient division of power explains Suzuki, stating that the key delivery component is the EMCD, which is an electronically controlled wet-type multi-plate clutch coupling, in which the degree of magnetic clutch action is modulated to match traction needs (the coupling is regulated with an electrical current alternating between the two and four wheels drive modes). This means that if the front wheels begin to slip or spin, power can be directed to the rear wheels to regain traction.

Suzuki has bestowed the SX4 chassis with a similar front suspension structure to the Suzuki Swift, which uses an independent MacPherson strut system. The rear suspension is a torsion beam set up.

Based on the current and predicted success of the new SX4 model, Suzuki is working to expand the SX4 range, which could include an even more cost-effective model with a simpler 4WD system and a smaller engine, possibly even a diesel.

Related articles:
- Suzuki Swift Sport (Road Test)
- Suzuki Grand Vitara (Road Test)
- Suzuki XL7 (2007)