http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 9:41AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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. ]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:06AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 1:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.

]]>Apr 27th 2008 12:11AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
Navi-System Price Gouging = FAIL.]]>Apr 26th 2008 9:50AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:23PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 11:40PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
Compacts are purchased by people who want cheap, fuel efficient transportation. This car is neither.

Try $20,000, buddy. ]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:07AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/Apr 26th 2008 11:08AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:30AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/Apr 26th 2008 10:31AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:54AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
The next time you think that people only want cheap compact cars, price a Mini.]]>Apr 26th 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.

]]>Apr 26th 2008 8:00PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/Apr 28th 2008 10:51AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/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]]>Apr 26th 2008 10:42AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/Apr 26th 2008 11:24AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.

]]>Apr 26th 2008 11:32AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/
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.

]]>Apr 26th 2008 11:33AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/26/2009-suzuki-sx4-getting-nav-system-as-standard-equipment/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.

]]>Apr 26th 2008 12:06PM