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Integrated nav systems are cash cows for the automakers. We've discussed this here before. While you can run to the local Target and buy a perfectly useful portable unit for around two-hundred bucks, clicking the nav checkbox on a car or truck's option sheet will probably run you ten times as much. That's painful. For the 2009 model year, however, Suzuki's looking to give shoppers some relief by making touchscreen nav standard equipment in the four-door SX4 Sport and front-wheel-drive SX4 crossover (the enclosed PR makes no mention of the 4WD crossover, but we're assuming that it also benefits from this). This makes Suzuki the first automaker to offer the feature as standard equipment in a sub-$16,000 vehicle. What a novel concept: using desirable equipment as the carrot instead of the stick.
The flip-up unit, supplied by Garmin and dubbed "T.R.I.P", also delivers Bluetooth connectivity, features live traffic info, helps locate the lowest gas prices, and is pre-loaded with a number of points of interest. The automaker is even launching a social networking-type website where owners can upload and share their favorite routes and places to go. Will standard nav help Suzuki win over new customers? It sure isn't going to hurt. Given that the technology has dropped in price so precipitously, it's probably not even costing Suzuki too much in the grand scheme of things. And if the presence of that nav unit gets some fence-sitting new car shoppers to write out a check for at least $16,000, it's probably worth whatever it cost to integrate it into the base package. Maybe Suzuki's onto something.
[Source: Suzuki]
PRESS RELEASE:
2009 SUZUKI SX4: FIRST CAR IN AMERICA UNDER $16,000
WITH STANDARD NAVIGATION
• 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport and SX4 Crossover to feature integrated standard navigation
• Advanced functionality of SX4 navigation system includes available Bluetooth capability, a lowest price gas finder and real-time traffic
• Suzuki infuses "Way of Life!" brand spirit into system with Suzuki-recommended landmarks and points-of-interest
BREA, Calif. – Establishing an auto industry first, and packing even more appeal into its bold and stylish sport compact, American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announced the addition of a fully integrated standard navigation system to the 2009 Suzuki SX4. The company's offering marks the first time a new vehicle under $16,000 will include navigation as a standard feature. The innovative navigation system will be included as standard equipment on both the four-door SX4 Sport and front-wheel-drive version of the five-door SX4 Crossover, propelling the 2009 SX4 to the front of the compact segment as the personal technology leader.
The Suzuki SX4's integrated navigation system is the result of a partnership with Garmin and is available with a variety of advanced Microsoft Network-enabled features, including real-time traffic, weather forecasts, local event listings and a gas station finder capable of locating the lowest priced fuel in town. To further customize the system to reflect its "Way of Life" brand attitude, Suzuki will add a number of lifestyle-oriented, Suzuki-recommended destinations and landmarks to the system. The locations include hip music venues, popular surf spots, interesting road trip attractions and other activity-focused destinations that will be clearly identified with a Suzuki "Way of Life" icon on the navigation screen.
"Aside from improving an already popular vehicle, this navigation system provides a unique opportunity to further express the Suzuki 'Way of Life' brand spirit and directly respond to SX4 shoppers' unmet needs," said Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "We know that our customers are vibrant and adventurous at heart, so we've gone beyond a typical navigation offering to develop a system capable of enhancing driver experiences and activating a passion for living life to the fullest. Navigation makes drivers feel more confident and in control, and our customized navigation system is the perfect fit for Suzuki owners' on-the-go attitude and daily routine."
Suzuki based its decision to include standard navigation on feedback from current SX4 owners regarding their most desired features in their next vehicle purchase. In addition to improving overall favorable impressions of the SX4, Suzuki research showed the addition of a navigation system had a positive "halo" effect on a range of driver perceptions, including significant increases in drivers' "feelings of control" and "feelings of safety."
Referred to as the Suzuki T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play), the fully integrated system utilizes Navteq mapping software and includes a flip-up 4.3-inch touch screen display and Bluetooth hands-free calling technology that can receive and audibly play text messages. The system also comes preloaded with street maps that feature millions of points-of-interest, such as hotels, restaurants, gasoline stations and ATMs, and other Suzuki-recommended, brand-oriented destinations. A dedicated community Web site will be launched to support the sharing and downloading of user-generated recommendations for destinations and drive routes among Suzuki owners.
The touch screen navigation system included as standard equipment on the 2009 SX4 Sport and front-wheel-drive version of the five-door SX4 Crossover will come with a number of standard navigation features and millions of unique points-of-interest. Bluetooth capability and other enhanced Microsoft Network-enabled features of the system, including real-time traffic, local events, weather forecasts and a gas price finder, will be included as part of the SX4's upgraded trim package. The 2009 SX4 is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms this summer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pat @ Apr 26th 2008 9:41AM
I'm glad to see that they are working their way down to the masses.
That looks like a Garmin 250W or 360W
Having recently purchased one, I can say that they are pretty useful and interesting to lug around...
Funny enough, I put mine in my car's on-dash storage bin and my set up looks a lot like that one ... except that I can bring my unit in the house and sync with my Google Maps.
Alex Nunez @ Apr 26th 2008 10:06AM
How do you like yours, Pat?
I'm thinking of buying an inexpensive portable unit, myself. I got my dad a little Magellan (can't remember the model number) that he loves, and it was under $150.
If any other readers have recommendations, feel free to weigh in.
Me @ Apr 26th 2008 1:12PM
@ alex...
I have the cheap Garmin, the big lookin one its like 199 at circuit city. I bought it 4 years ago and then bought another one. It's simple and intuitive - i use it for Insurance inspections so I know from experience it will last a good 3 years if u use it literally every day @ 40time/day. If you don't use it as often as I do i'm sure it'd last a lot longer. A little tinkering and you can reconfigure the mount and glue it to the dash. I seriously recommend Garmin, very good quality.
tarheelsxl @ Apr 27th 2008 12:11AM
cameron,
Have you checked Mini's sales figures recently? Recent, as in, like the past 3 years? Good luck trying to buy a new one for less than MSRP.
RCL1221 @ Apr 26th 2008 9:50AM
Way to go Suzuki! Stepping up your game... maybe the bigger car manufacturers should take note!
Navi-System Price Gouging = FAIL.
1337 @ Apr 26th 2008 10:23PM
"...propelling the 2009 SX4 to the front of the compact segment as the personal technology leader. "
Yes, bigger car manufacturers should take note; we wouldn't want to let Suzuki continue to be the personal technology leader. Every car company should sell a cheap piece of crap with standard navi.
Pat @ Apr 26th 2008 11:40PM
I have the Garmin Nuvi 250W. It's really great ...it's nice to know the surrounding streets when driving around and its especially usefull when you don't have a clue where you're going.
The 250W is the base unit, it doesn't have Bluetooth and it doesn't have the capability to get traffic reports --features I wouldn't use anyway.
One cool thing about the Garmin, is that they have a plug-in which allows you to upload locations from Google Maps.
I've used it to get around cities I didn't know and I've even learned a few shortcuts within my own city with it.
The only place it messed up was in Toronto on the 401. It instructed me to take the Collectors instead of the Express (even though I was going clear across the city). I didn't listen to it and it hard time distinguishing on which side I was. Once it figured I was in the Express lanes, it kept on recalculating its trip.
Also, while in Toronto, it kept telling me to keep left ... so I did ... next you know I had to make a mad dash across a few hundred lanes to grab the 410. I later figured that when it says "keep left" it means, don't exit.
cameron42985 @ Apr 26th 2008 10:07AM
16,000? That's just a lie. Sorry, do you work for Suzuki? There's no need for subcompacts to have any of the extraordinary features found on this vehicle. All wheel drive? You kidding me? That defeats the purpose of a mall vehicle altogether, guy. 24 MPG, no joke.
Compacts are purchased by people who want cheap, fuel efficient transportation. This car is neither.
Try $20,000, buddy.
Brent @ Apr 26th 2008 11:08AM
I am at the Suzuki site right now, and I am astonished at how low the MPG numbers are for such small cars. A Yaris would be a much better option.
Red @ Apr 26th 2008 10:30AM
Two things. If I'm not mistaken, isn't the SX4's AWD only locks up to 30mph? After that, I think reverts to FWD to increase efficiency. So it's not a full-time AWD system in that it's not always on at any speed.
Second, the SX4 is considered a C-segment vehicle, not a B-segment subcompact. When you go to Suzuki's website, the direct competitors listed are the Corolla, Civic and Sentra. So the car's no less purposeful than a WRX.
That said, I'm not sure I'd want a standard Navi, especially if I wouldn't use it that often. I mean it's great to offer something standard others have as an option, but why would I pay for something I don't to use? That money probably could've gone into adding better materials to the interior or something.
tankd0g @ Apr 26th 2008 10:31AM
Wtf are you talking about? The models this comes on aren't 4wd, they do start around $16k.
feeboo @ Apr 26th 2008 10:54AM
cameron: at one point things like ABS and air bags were only on luxury automobiles. it is a natural part of automobile manufacturing, or all manufacturing for that matter; create something new, other people copy it, slowly make it a standard feature for everything you manufacture, repeat. as for the 4WD, this is quite likely my next vehicle, and the reason for that is the 4WD. ontario got pounded by snow in february. 4WD would help. the SX4 is the cheapest 4WD vehicle and the standard features list is very impressive. i applaud suzuki for incorporating satnav into the SX4, although i do not agree with making it a standard feature.
lastly, the SX4 AWD system has three modes.
FWD - obvious
iAWD - intelligent all... . sends between 5% and 30% of the power to the back wheels.
AWD - sends between 30% and 50% of the power to the back wheels until the speed hits 60 kph and then it reverts to iAWD.
i would have verified those numbers but i couldn't find anything on their site or the net. i'm pretty sure they are close though.
flychinook @ Apr 26th 2008 11:06AM
AWD vehicles are purchased by people who want all weather traction. Fuel mileage does you no good in a ditch. Current SX4s are $14K to $18K. If you paid $20K for one, that's your own fault.
The next time you think that people only want cheap compact cars, price a Mini.
cameron42985 @ Apr 26th 2008 8:00PM
Price a Mini? Does that have anything to do with Suzuki other than the fact that they're both compacts? This car is not a novelty. Mini is. And last I checked, they're not exactly flying off dealer lots, either.
I stand by my statement that Americans who buy compacts typically want them cheap and fuel efficient. Aveo for instance, big seller. This car will not sell.
I sold Suzukis about a year ago and the AWD SX4s we had ALL stickered above 17k. Needless to say, it wasn't a huge seller. With Nav? I shudder to think.
And I honestly don't care where Suzuki chooses to slot this thing in the market, but I'm telling you it's VERY similar to Yaris and Fit, not the cars they claim to compete with on-line. Maybe that's just their way of justifying the terrible price.
Gregg @ Apr 28th 2008 10:51AM
Caneron, you are so out to lunch you may need medication. The SX4 is NOT a Yaris competitor. The SX4 has AWD which those of us in the north appreciate. It gets the very best mileage of any AWD vehicle. It has more equipment standard for the best price of practically any vehicle out there. Load a Yaris up and see what the sticker is. If you want basic subcompact transportation, then buy a two door Accent or Yaris. If you want ESP, AWD, climate control, etc., then the Suzuki is absolutely the cheapest and most economical way to go. And yes, it is a niche vehicle. It is not going to sell in Toyota numbers. But I am glad I can buy something that meets my needs better than the Yaris does.
Gardiner Westbound @ Apr 26th 2008 10:42AM
Our Magellan Maestro 3225 (Costco C$200) has text to voice and works extremely well. Magellan technical support is zero. You're on your own if you have a problem
DKB_SATX @ Apr 26th 2008 11:24AM
More important than the question of whether you would or wouldn't want an SX4, will having nav standard on more cars lead to at least affordable nav options from other manufacturers, or is it just a blip? I think the rise of Sync across the board with Ford and the growing number of GPS-equipped cell phones is a sign that this level of technology is becoming ubiquitous and will be as common in cars as CD players are now (and MP3 players soon will be.)
RockStoneSteel @ Apr 26th 2008 11:32AM
Contrary to Cameron above, people don't by compact vehicles just for cheap, fuel efficient transportation.
The fact is, there is a huge market for premium compact vehicles. No doubt they should get proportionately better fuel economy and cost somewhat less than their larger counterparts, but assuming people don't want GPS or other niceties is false. There are plenty of cheap small cars out there, but so few have excellent drive trains, fully independent suspensions, and offer an array of features like moonroofs, stereo upgrades, etc. The best two examples I can think of are the Civic and the BMW Mini. All the amenities of larger cars with a tidier size, better economy, and all the amenities of a larger vehicle. Best thing is, they are offered in 2 door versions instead of the worthless dainty little 4 doors.
Problem is, too many manufacturers today are still equating small car with cheap car. Unfortunately, that's why we have an array of stodgy 4 door little cars with lame torsion beam suspensions.
RockStoneSteel @ Apr 26th 2008 11:33AM
"directly respond to SX4 shoppers' unmet needs"...
Then how about making the SX4 available as a 2 door with doors large enough to allow ingress/egress. The added benefit is getting the stupid B pillar away from my shoulder and from blocking the side view. Making these small cars as 4 door vehicles is a bit absurd. If I want to haul a family or multiple passengers, I won't be buying a car in this size category to begin with.
The SX4 is an otherwise fantastic little vehicle. I'd consider it in a heartbeat if it were available as a 2 door vehicle.
Dot heads @ Apr 26th 2008 12:06PM
Suzuki might be offering the navi system since the next generation Honda Fit will also come with AWD (optional) and navi so it makes perfect sense for Suzuki to offer this.
I don't know of any AWD car that has a sub $ 20K price tage, with a host of options and navi. Is the MPG perfect?
Well any AWD system will require more gas.
There is no perfect car and even the suzuki should just be a bit longer, but for the money, it is a good buy.
I am starting to see more of them on the road.