Autoblog

As previously reported, Suzuki has decided to include navigation on its SX4 Sport and Crossover before you make the first mark on the options list. That will make the $15,999 car the lowest priced car in America to come standard with talking maps. And now they're set to arrive in the SX4 Special Editions that arrive in Suzuki showrooms this month.

To recap, the nav system is called TRIP -- Travel, Real-time traffic, Information, and Play -- and incorporates several Microsoft features. Drivers can get traffic info, weather reports, headline news, stock quotes, movie listings, the lowest priced gas in the area, and directions to 500 nationwide Suzuki dealerships. If buyers go for the expansion module, they'll also get Fodor guide reviews of eateries and nightlife spots. It sounds like an awful lot to do in such a little car, but that's the march of progress.

[Source: Suzuki]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Suzuki SX4 WRC Edition.

While we haven't driven the boosted Suzuki SX4t, we hear it's a scream. So when we caught wind of a special edition SX4 inspired by the automaker's participation in the World Rally Championship, our happy balloon was on its way to reaching capacity. It deflated quickly. No, the SX4 WRC isn't turbocharged, doesn't have any trick all-wheel-drive programming and is little more than a wannabe racer of the lamest variety. Think the OZ-edition Mitsubishi Lancer, but with half the cred and none of the good stuff.

Instead, Suzuki Germany is attempting to cash in on the SX4's minimal rallying cred with the stock, 107-hp 1.6-liter four-pot, "rally design" 16-inch wheels wrapped in 205/60 R16 rubber, a body kit that includes a new front bumper and rear bumper and side skirts, and with a mesh grille and "carbon-look" detailing. Inside, Suzuki's German arm is all about budget bling with a leather shift knob, faux carbon fiber trim, navigation and privacy glass, plus keyless entry and starting. Thankfully, you won't be able to pick up the Suzuki SX4 WRC in the States, and for 19,500 euro, we somehow doubt the rally-ravens in Deutschland will be running to dealers with loans in tow.


[Source: Suzuki via World Car Fans]

It's been two weeks since our last podcast -- we tried to do one last week, but technical difficulties scuttled the effort. With that in mind, we packed some extra content into Autoblog Podcast #93. It's the usual rollicking good time where we discuss our current Autoblog Garage occupants, hit a few news items like the neo-M1 concept from BMW, Suzuki's content addition to the SX4, and the unveiling of the new Mazda6. Most importantly, we burn a healthy amount of minutes on the new Knight Rider suckfest. We also take a few emails from our podcast at autoblog dot com address. Thanks for your hour and seven minutes!

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It's not easy these days to find a brand new car for less than $15,000, and if you're looking for all-wheel drive with that budget, your choices are severely limited. In fact, Suzuki says the 2007 SX4 is the least expensive all-wheel-drive vehicle for sale in the U.S., coming in a buck less than $15,000 with a manual transmission. That's the good news.

Bad news? Suzuki wants you to think of this as a competitor to Honda's Fit and Nissan's Versa, but it ain't quite there yet. Honda's interior quality and handling easily trump the Suzuki's four-wheel power. The Honda and Nissan both win on fuel economy and base price. But then, you still don't have the SX4's all-wheel pull.

Click through to continue reading our take on the SX4.

Because GM has said that Opel and Saturn will be virtually indistinguishable by 2014, every new Opel piques our curiosity. And guess what? Thanks to Hans Lehmann Photo, we have a spy pic of a new Opel. The vehicle is a heavily disguised prototype of the new Opel Agila. As with the current Agila, the model is being co-developed with Suzuki. WorldCarFans is predicting that this microvan will again use a choice of transversely mounted engines ranging from 60 to 80 hp. A 70 hp 1.3 litre turbodiesel might be another option. The finished vehicle or a concept version should be making its debut in Frankfurt this fall.

The current Agila is a rebadged Suzuki Wagon R built in Poland. One of the few 5-doors in the small city car class, it has been successful because of its unique combination of a small but relatively powerful and refined Opel engine, good standard equipment levels, low MSRP, and equally low operating costs. It has the typical small footprint of European city cars, but is as tall as some MPVs, allowing a lot of interior room. Where the current Wagon R and Agila have a slab-sided micro commercial van look, this new version appears to have a bit more style a lá the Suzuki SX4.

[Source: World Car Fans]

On July 4th, Suzuki introduced its new SX4 hatchback to the market in Japan. On sale in Europe since March, and headed to the US in Q3 2006 as an '07 model, Japan gets a range of SX4 models with two engine choices. The 1.5-liter four makes 110 horsepower, while the 2.0L generates 145. (In the US, we're getting only the 2.0.) All cars receive a 4-speed automatic and in Japan, customers can choose between 2WD or AWD. US cars will all come with AWD standard.

From bottom to top, the lineup is as follows:

• SX4 1.5E
• SX4 1.5G
• SX4 1.5XG
• SX4 2.0S (shown above)
  

The "E" model is the basic entry-level car. "G" steps things up and adds more standard equipment and visual flair. "XG" gets outdoorsy exterior trim in the form of roof rails and black plastic on the fender flares and side skirts. The 2.0S gets a monochrome look, a tasteful aero package, lowered suspension, and 17" wheels. The other grades get 16" rolling stock.

In October, a 2.0XS model will join the Japanese lineup, equipped with the visual elements (roof rails, etc.) seen on the 1.5XG. Prices range from approximately 1.4 million to 2 million Yen (around $13,000 to $17,000 USD). The US model will retail for between $15,000 and $18,000.

View SX4 Specifications

(More pics after the jump)

[Source: Suzuki (translated)]