Filed under: Economy
Suzuki's SX4 coming to North America
Finally, a vehicle
expected to be Europe-only is on its way! The Hungarian-built Suzuki SX4 will navigate its way to North American
dealers and be priced similarly to other compact hatchbacks on the market, according to Automotive News.
Interestingly, the vehicle will come with a drive system that offers three settings -- 2WD, four-wheel drive that takes front-wheel slippage into consideration, and full-on 4WD. Power will likely come courtesy Suzuki's 1.5-liter DOHC 4-pot, or an uprated 1.6-liter mill with variable valve timing. A 1.9-liter turbodiesel will likely not make the trip from overseas.
Suzuki hopes to move about 40,000 units per year, but has yet to announce a U.S. sales target. No word on what fate will befall Suzuki's similarly-aimed Aerio, but expect to see the SX4 in showrooms this September.
[Source: Automotive News]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
me 4:24PM (3/02/2006)
i scared to ask what this means for the Suzuki Swift coming to the US this year or AT ALL.
Reply
amp 4:28PM (3/02/2006)
If this thing does indeed have a full-on 4WD system, then I hope they beefed up the trany to handle the abuse that the ingnorant drivers will dole out on it by having it engaged on dry pavement. Consumers tend to be an absent-minded bunch. Remember the Mazda5 exhaust fires?
If this thing does indeed have a full-on 4WD system, then I hope they beefed up the trany to handle the abuse that the ignorant drivers will dole out on it by having it engaged on dry pavement. Consumers tend to be an absent-minded bunch. Remember the Mazda5 exhaust fires?
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/28/driver-error-cause-of-mazda5-exhaust-fires/
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/28/driver-error-cause-of-mazda5-exhaust-fires/
Reply
Jason 4:53PM (3/02/2006)
*deep announcer voice*
Built in Hungary!
Yeah, that inspires confidence.
Reply
Simon Speichert 5:00PM (3/02/2006)
The Swift is still coming. I can't wait for it personally, it'll be a good cheap car with Mini-esque styling. It'll sell like hotcakes.
As for the SX4, the 4WD system is borrowed from the new Fiat Panda 4x4. For those who doubt the 4WD capability of the Panda, go check out Tom Ford of Fifth Gear testing the Panda against a Range Rover in a race to the top of a quarry.
Furthermore, Suzuki just announced that they're entering WRC with a full-on rally version of this car. I think they're very serious about turning their passenger vehicle business around, and the SX4 looks to be a step in the right direction.
Reply
Ebm14 5:01PM (3/02/2006)
1) I was told that a seperate SX4 will come directly from Japan along with exterior modifications more pleasing for American tastes(and Japanese).
2) There was also an earlier autoblog report that the Swift will be imported here as well.
By Summer there should be more news and it is good that Suzuki is adding more AWD/4wds to its line up.
Reply
RayRay 5:33PM (3/02/2006)
4WD on a 1.5L? Is it even necessary?
Reply
naggs 5:33PM (3/02/2006)
yeah this is one of those euro cars that should stay there. who is asking for this car? 100 hp and 4wd, hum that sounds like a formula for blistering performance. it doesnt even have any groud clearance. i just dont understand why anyone would buy this car.
wait i can see it now on 30" mudders with a 20 inch lift! someone with photoshop skills get on it.
Reply
Mark 5:39PM (3/02/2006)
Nothing wrong with being built in Hungary. The Audi TT is built there, too.
Also, the SX4 coming to the US was announced a few months ago, it was even here on Autoblog. Though nice to hear about it again. It is a quirky car, I like it. It will replace the Aerio wagon, but the fate of the Aerio sedan remains up in the air.
Reply
Dolan Halbrook 5:42PM (3/02/2006)
"i just dont understand why anyone would buy this car. "
Snowboarders w/o the cash to buy a Subaru? People in the snowbelt?
"4WD on a 1.5L? Is it even necessary?"
You don't need lots of HP to make a good offroader -- just decent approach angles, clearance, and gearing.
Yeah, the thing won't be fast, but neither was the VW bug, and look how many of those were sold.
Reply
bob 7:31PM (3/02/2006)
The SX4 will not come with a 1.5 or anything that small in north america. It will either be a 2.0 DOHC or a 2.3 DOHC but not a tiny little piece of crap 1.5-1.8. Remember its the replacement car for the Aerio not the swift. I hate it when people write articles about things they know nothing about and this article is so far off on the engine size it hurts.
Reply
Ebm14 8:18PM (3/02/2006)
Confirmed: 130hp with 2 trim levels for the US.
Arrival: September.
See link for more pictures:
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2006_geneva/suzuki/sx4/pages/01.htm
Reply
Steve B 8:36PM (3/02/2006)
This isn't exactly news...
Here's an article from November on the same topic:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/11/30/151310.html
And, it's got more complete information:
2007 Suzuki SX4 Specifications (early)
Wheelbase: 2500mm/98.4-in.
Overall length: 4135mm/162.8-in.
Overall width: 1755mm/69.1-in.
Overall height: 1605mm/63.2-in.
It's similar in size to a Volkswagen Golf, about half-way between the sizes of a Toyota Matrix and a Scion xB.
The drive system is NOT 4x4 (with a locked F/R transfer case, low-range gearing, offroad designed). It is an AWD system that can be set to off, automatic, or full-time.
Performance from the engine is presently not published, but here are the specs on the existing engines:
Suzuki Grand Vitara: 2.0L 140hp@6000rpm, 135lb.ft@4000rppm.
Suzuki Grand Vitara: 1.9L diesel, 129hp@3750, 221lb.ft@2000.
Suzuki Liana: 1.6L 106hp@5,500, 106lb.ft@4000
While the 1.6 isn't much, it would put it at least competitive with other subcompacts such as the Chevy Aveo, Scion xB, and upcoming Fit. With the 2.0 wedged in there, along with AWD, it would give the small hatch class a run for its money... A VW Golf (in non-GTI form) ships with a 115 hp 2.0L. According to the following article, the SX4 will be offered with the 2.0 in the U.S. (This article is from December)
http://www.motiontrends.com/2005/m12eng/suzuki/sx4.shtml
As to the Hungarian production... I can't say that a Hungarian factory could damage Suzuki's reputation any more than GM using them as a Daewoo outlet.
Reply
CrunchyCookie 8:51PM (3/02/2006)
This replaces the Aerio. That's finalized.
Reply
Joshi 10:10PM (3/02/2006)
The Aerio (at least the SX hatchback) was a bit unnecessary with the cheaper, better Reno around.
I love Suzuki. Where else can you get a $12,000 five-door with air conditioning and a CD player?
I can't wait for the Swift. It should undercut even the Chevy Aveo, as I believe the Suzuki-branded Aveo is known as the "Swift Plus."
When are we expecting the Swift, anyway? This year? Next?
Reply
Tim UF 10:20PM (3/02/2006)
dolan isright about the offroader part, though, the clearance and angles of this dont look that exciting...
as far as hp is concerned, go look up the 80's samurai, i think it had a sub 2 liter engine, and a fairly large following in offroading, right up there with old toyo landcruisers, cj7's, landrovers, etc...
Reply
Tim UF 10:37PM (3/02/2006)
the last samurai's (sorry i couldnt resist) had a 1.3L engine with an output of 64hp, 73ftlb. moving around less than 3000 lbs...
and besides, rockcrawling isnt about speed
anyway, the SX4 is a direct replacement for the aerio i would imagine... no point in having both cars filling the same segment from the same brand... oh wait, what member of the big three has suzuki under their umbrella?
Reply
Ebm14 10:47PM (3/02/2006)
If the Sx4 is supposed to be shipped from Hungry(unlike an earlier report which said it was suppose to come from Japan) will the Swift also be made in Hungry too?
These cars seem to look fun to drive and never owned one before. Does anyone know about quality? I am thinking of getting the new Grand Vitara, but not sure if the Rav4, Cr-v and even Hyundai Tuson are better or just as good(I can only afford the 4 cyl. Rav in this category). THE GV gives you a lot for the money and made in Japan!
Reply
m 11:12PM (3/02/2006)
mmm, are you Hungry Ebm14?
Reply
Ebm14 11:43PM (3/02/2006)
I am American, M.
a. SX4 info.
Here are some photos from the offical site.
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/sx4/index.html
and video:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/sx4/index.html
b. Swift video/photos
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/swift/index.html
Reply
Greg 1:54AM (3/03/2006)
There is nothing wrong with production in Hungary. (Unless you can name a recent hungarian product that was of poor quality...)
The Swifts are made there too. (In fact, all European Swifts since around ~ '96 were made there.)
Audi TT and most of Audi's engines as well.
(plus the original Xbox in the first few years was made in Hungary) And let's not forget about the quality porn movie industry!
Hungary is NOT your cheap eastern block country pumping out nothing but sh*t.
Reply