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Weekend roadtest: Suzuki SX4
publication date: Jan 30, 2010
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author/source: David Miles
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We might be downsizing when it comes to buying a new
or used car but it appears we still want vehicles with a design which
has character.
As small SUVs remain popular Suzuki with their revised SX4 which
has a combination of five door hatchback and SUV looks seems to be a
practical option especially as prices start from just £11,640.
Two wheel drive models with a new 1.6-litre, 120PS (118bhp) petrol
engine go on sale now with a new SZ grading structure of SZ3 and SZ4, A
1.6-litre petrol SZ5 4x4 model will go on sale in April as will a SZ4
1.6-litre, 90PS (88bhp) DDiS diesel two wheel drive model.
A 2.0-litre,
135PS (133bhp) diesel engine option with front wheel drive could also
be offered but with 65PC of SX4 customers currently opting for the
1.6-litre petrol unit and with a 1.6 diesel unit about to arrive there
might not be enough demand to make it worthwhile. Talking of figures,
of the 3,300 annual SX4 UK sales over 85PC of customers go for the two
wheel drive versions with the SZ4 being the most popular.
The SX4 is a result of a joint venture agreement between Suzuki and
Fiat Auto which sells their Sedici version of the same product. The SX4 in SZ3 form is built in Japan and the SZ4 and SZ5 versions are built at Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary.
| Inside the car has a generally improved appearance, a
more modern instrument display, thicker carpeting and plusher trim.
SX4
is well equipped as standard with the SZ3 model offering six airbags,
remote central locking with deadlocks, air conditioning, MP3/WMA
compatible CD tuner with eight speakers, four electric windows, driver
information display and illuminated steering wheel mounted audio
controls. |  |
The latest SX4 in terms of exterior styling remains
virtually unchanged except for a new and bolder design of front bumper,
a new mesh grille and an ‘edgier’ style of 16-inch alloy wheels.
The
core design concept of a tall, wedge shaped, low rising waistline
supermini sized five door hatchback with SUV styling cues such as
flared wheelarches, side and under body protection mouldings and front
and rear skid plates are retained. However under the skin the body is
torsionally stiffer, there is upgraded noise insulation material,
improved transmission and of course the new 1.6-litre petrol engine.
The
SZ4 model adds fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, side body protection
and heated door mirrors. Petrol engine SZ4 models have an even higher
specification with keyless entry and start, dashboard centre speaker
and automatic air conditioning.
On sale in April, the top of the
range SZ5 model adds i-AWD (intelligent All Wheel Drive), six CD
changer and rear privacy glass. Unfortunately the all important
requirement for a EuroNCAP five star safety rating, ESP or electronic
control programme, is not fitted as standard.
The SX4 isn’t
particularly roomy despite its overall length of 4,150mm and width of
1,755mm but with its tight turning circle of 10.6 metres it is very
manoeuvrable and easy to park in our modern day ‘urban jungles’. With
its SUV style body protection it should shrug-off to some extent the
careless knocks and scrapes our cars suffer from in car parks. As
Suzuki says, the SX4 is ideal for ‘urban adventurers’. |
FIRST IMPRESSIONS |
On the open road the SX4 is neat and nimble, agile in
fact with a very precise steering response.
However the suspension is
very firm, the ride is harsh and uncomfortable over poorer road
surfaces and the expansion joints found on many motorways.
The
latest SX4 scores well though for its revised 1.6-litre, 120PS/156Nm
petrol engine which offers 10PC more power, 10PC lower fuel consumption
and 13PC few CO2 emissions which are now 143g/km. |  | The unit now features drive by wire throttle control, a
new variable valve timing and variable intake system for enhanced
driveability and response. A new cylinder block and head is used and it
has extended inlet and exhaust valve lift.
It powers the 2WD models
with manual transmission from nought to 62 mph in 10.7 seconds with a
top speed of 115mph The 4x4 model due in April with the same engine has
a top speed of 109mph and 0-62mph in 11.5 seconds. In combined cycle
driving, the 2WD manual models return 45.6mpg while the 4x4 due in
April is only slightly behind, returning 43.5mpg, a very respectable
figure for a petrol-powered 4x4. During my test on busy South Coast
urban roads the 1.6-litre 2WD model returned a very impressive 44mpg.
The
1.6-litre DDiS engine, sourced from Peugeot, delivers 90PS and 215Nm of
torque at just 1,750rpm so that should also provide lively, flexible
performance and strong fuel economy. Mated to a five-speed manual
gearbox and driving through the front wheels, it achieves an impressive
57.6 mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km. Nought to
62 mph acceleration is achieved in 12.2 seconds, with a top speed of
109mph.
The signature feature of the Suzuki SX4 4x4 is its i-AWD
switchable three-mode all-wheel drive system. An Electric Control
Coupling Device allows the driver to select 4WD-Auto, 4WD-Lock, and 2WD
modes to suit driving conditions, giving excellent traction on low grip
surfaces. Both the diesel engine and the 4x4 new SX4s have yet to be
tested by the UK media.
Suzuki has a loyal band of customers and
their numbers are expanding. They know a good, reliable, cheap to run,
does-what-it-says-on-the-tin product when they see it and they like the
friendly and efficient service Suzuki dealers seem to offer. The SX4
might not be dynamically the best or most comfortable supermini on the
market but it ticks most boxes if an ‘urban toughie’ is what they want.
©David Miles
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MILESTONES | | Suzuki SX4 1.6 SZ4 5-speed manual, 2WD. (best selling model) £12,255 (£13,280 auto version).
Engine/transmission:
New 1.6-litre, four cylinder, petrol with variable valve timing, 120PS
(118bhp), 156Nm (115lb ft) from 4,400rpm, 5-speed manual.
Performance:
115mph, 0-62mph 10.7 seconds, 45.6mpg (44mpg actual), CO2 143g/km, VED
£125, BIK tax 16PC. Insurance group: 6E. Load capacity: 270 to
625-litres.
For: Smart looks with hatchback/SUV styling, well
equipped, good price, impressive and fuel efficient new petrol engine,
agile for urban use, 4WD models have been good at tackling the rough
stuff.
Against: Harsh ride, no ESP as standard, some blind spots, snug interior. | | | |
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