For our market, the SX4 will be powered by a 2.0-litre DOHC inline-four
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| Engine is a pert 143 horsepower inline-four with variable valve timing. (Photo: Suzuki Canada) |
that produces a modest 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. All SX4s come with Suzuki's new i-AWD power delivery system which features an easy push-button rocker switch that operates in one of three modes: 2WD, AWD Auto and AWD Lock. 2WD provides optimal performance and fuel consumption, while AWD Auto allows from 0 to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels for extra grip and traction, needed when things start to get slippery. When the going gets tough, AWD Lock provides a power distribution of between 30 to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels, from standstill to 57 km/h (36 mph); above this speed, the system reverts to AWD Auto.
This
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| Shape is part tall wagon, part city car, part soft-roader. (Photo: Suzuki Canada) |
very serious-sounding drivetrain is wrapped up in a shell that's pretty friendly looking. Supposedly designed by a renowned Italian design house (could this be Fiat?), the SX4 takes many of the Swift's cheeky styling cues, and scales them up to fit perfectly on this towering hatchback. The nose, dominated by two large, wraparound headlamps, sets the mood for the rest of the body, which features a high glass to metal ratio, creating an airy, greenhouse. The SX4 has all the standard SUV-look alike add-ons such as faux skid plates, matte-plastic lined fender flares, and a brushed metal roof rack, though buyers will probably be more interested in its standard sixteen-inch alloy wheels. While it may not look it, the SX4 undercuts the Aerio by some 65 mm (2.5 in).
Unsurprisingly, the SX4 doesn't break any boundaries in the game
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| Nothing to write home about here, but the interior is solid and inoffensive. (Photo: Suzuki Canada) |
of interiors, but what it does exercise is Suzuki's open eyes on design. The car features a clear dashboard design made of better quality materials, with such design details as brushed aluminum and two-toned plastics. The centre console houses a new stereo with standard CD player (a six disc CD-MP3 player with subwoofer is optional), and a new climate control layout. There's plenty of room for four full-sized adults in the cabin, thanks to second-row stadium-style seating. With the rear seats up, the SX4 can haul along 270 litres (9.5 cu-ft) of luggage, which expands to accommodate a maximum of 625 litres (22.0 cu-ft) when the seats are folded down. Multiple bins and pockets help owners to organize the cockpit.
Bang
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| Rear seats tumble and fold to free up additional cargo space. (Photo: Suzuki Canada) |
for the buck is one of the cornerstone principles for the new SX4. All models will feature standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake force distribution, four-wheel drive, front, side and curtain airbags, plus an electronic stability program is optional. While pricing has yet to be determined for the Canadian market, the SX4 is expected to undercut many compact SUVs, with an estimated starting price of $16,500 ($15,000 USD). Top of the line models should sell for roughly $21,000 ($18,000 USD), which is a whole lot of crossover for surprisingly little money. The SX4 arrives in dealerships during the third quarter of the year.
