Suzuki SX4 sedan test drive since 2006 sedan

A review with addiction: Suzuki SX4 in configuration 2.0S

Sports hatchback degassing
It has become clear to everyone for a long time: if this or that Japanese automotive company intends to survive in the conditions of current hard competition, it simply needs to at least out of time to produce cars that could seriously claim global recognition. And what is a necessary condition for such recognition? Or, a girlfriend: what are the components of the world success of a particular car? I think that those who believe that a successful car should have some kind of super - individuality are mistaken. Rather, on the contrary, the list of advantages of the world model is quite narrow: running characteristics, design, both external and internal, quality and layout. But only all this should differ in a greater degree of balance. More precisely, between all these components, balance should be achieved at a higher level. So the main thing? The main thing is further grinding of already familiar types, which, on the other hand, stimulates the company to increase its production potential. I don’t know how how, but such globalization seems extremely necessary and useful to me.
So, if you take a single Suzuki company, then, it seems to me, the fruits of the chosen global course have recently chosen here are already visible here by the naked eye. It is enough to note the fact of the development of a car, which is currently representing Suzuki at the JWRC world championship (Junior Category). You probably guessed what I mean the Suzuki Swift Sport model. But that's not all. An equally noticeable achievement should be considered the improvement of the Suzuki Escudo lineup, whose representatives are now with the same success and at the same speed are capable of moving both on the rounded roads (ON Road mode) and off -road. It was natural to assume that these two machines were not limited to, and that after them there would be new improved models with more powerful potential.
The forebodings did not deceive us. So, allow you to present a new, one might say, the third Suzuki global project, a SX4 lineup. What was the bet on its development? In recent years, various companies have been made a lot so that the machines from the SUV category they manufactured (high -crossed machines for outdoor activities) could overcome bad sections of the track at decent speed. In confirmation of my words, I will name only two most indicative examples - the Toyota Harrier and Nissan Murano car. But in order for a car like SUV to be considered a completely suitable means of moving around the city, it is necessary that it demonstrates appropriate running qualities on roads with improved coating. This is what Suzuki designers thought when they developed their new SX4 car. As you know, this company is famous for its ability to make cool compact machines. Excellent, - the project developers probably reasoned, “this is also necessary to use this skill, but only to give your new brainchild the traction characteristics, usually inherent in the SUV category. As a result of such an operation, the SX4-symbiosis car, which experts have already christened the first model in the Sport Crossover Hatchback genre (that is, a sports hatchback of improved patency)
The SUV cars that existed to this day, designed to drive around the city, were, nevertheless, rather bulky, so you don’t particularly drive them on the city streets. At the same time, part of the drivers, and, moreover, a considerable part expressed the wishes that they have been given the opportunity, sitting behind the wheel of such a machine, move at a faster pace. And so, it seems, a car has appeared, which must be their hopes. I believe that even the most notorious skeptics, which, as they say, wrinkle their nose, you only have to hear the abbreviation SUV, they will be able to make sure that they are wrong. What can I say if there was already an official confirmation that after August 2007 this car will represent the company at the world rally championship. Is it possible to imagine that the company's management would just put on the rally an ordinary, unremarkable car of the SUV category, knowing that he will have to fight models such as Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution? Of course not! This fact alone gives the ground for reflection. So, if the new Suzuki SX4 model can be called one of the representatives of the SUV category, then you should definitely add: SUV, but not only!. If you look at things from the other side, then the definition of a sports hatchback also seems too close for this car. In a word, a sports hatchback is a degree.
The fruit of cooperation with Italian designers
Be that as it may, in size, the new Suzuki SX4 car must be included in the group of compact class cars. And at the same time, as already noted, he claims to be something more than to become just one of the representatives of a large family of Japanese compact cars, namely, to get world recognition. It is easy to guess that these ambitions could not help but force the developers with particular care to approach the choice of design. One thing is that it was decided to attract a famous automobile designer from Italy, Mr. Fabrizio Giugiaro, which has quite much experience on sports and conceptual models, speaks for itself. And, it should be noted, joint design work gave its positive results. In particular, no matter how strange it may seem, despite all the similarity, each of the models presented among the SX4 of the SX4 bears the seal of personality, which indicates a thorough study of every little thing.
A car of the basic configuration and, accordingly, having the appearance without embellishment, the model SX4 1.5E is considered. Next, there are two varieties of SX4, the appearance of which differs in some, I would say, aggressiveness. Of course, I mean the 2.0S model with a 15 mm landing, and a 1.5G car. Both of these machines carry aerodynamic details, which, in fact, differ from the basic model. And, finally, another version of the SX4 car 1.5 XG car is provided, which is more like a suburban car (Outdoor Car). It can easily be recognized by decorative rails on the roof, lower molding and other details, which give the car the view of a typical SUV.
The situation in the cabin is also well created. Although, given that the main rate in the development of this machine is made on running qualities and convenience in managing, refusing to install a telescopic steering column in the cabin may seem a very controversial solution. But this is perhaps the only thing that can cause doubt. Otherwise, I personally are completely and completely for. Take, for example, a driver's seat. It should notice you, and not too soft, but not too hard. Rather, its comfort can be determined in this way: it is tough, but not so much as to tire the driver sitting in it when you have to go a long distance. On the front panel, the central console is sharply distinguished, and this selection has been achieved thanks to the metallic parts of the color of the color aluminum on it. All this, I repeat, is selected in a very skillful way. It should also be noted that the upper surface of the rear passenger seat is slightly higher than the front chair (55 mm). This was done in order to provide the rear passenger with a good overview of the road and, as a result, cause him the illusion of operational spaciousness. The rear seat can be removed in parts in a proportion of 6: 4, so the luggage compartments can be made as voluminous as it requires the current moment. Agree that this is a fairly useful quality.
The driver’s place is organized so skillfully that when you sit at the wheel and go with decent speed, everything that is outside the road is also outside the field of your vision. The fact that the construction of the body was reinforced, this, I think, will not surprise anyone, given the nature of the new machine. But, besides this, it was decided to increase the stiffness of individual parts and suspension units, in particular the place of attachment of the suspension parts to the body frame.
The SX4 car can be equipped with a 1.5 or 2.0 liter cubat engine. Both engines can develop a relatively decent torque, regardless of engine speed, which allows the machine to accelerate with great intensity, and, in addition, differ in good acceptance. Therefore, with confidence, we can say that the car will be easily controlled regardless of what kind of speed mode the driver sitting at the wheel will choose. If you take a modification that is equipped with all-wheel drive, you should keep in mind: it will be a I-AWD system, with an electronic control unit that redistributes the torque between the front and rear leading bridges, choosing the most optimal combination at the moment. The system is controlled directly from the central console using a selector switch. The system provides for 4WD Auto Mode modes, then Lock Mode, which can be useful on a bad, broken road, and, finally, the mode when minimum traction is transmitted to the rear axle, and the movement is mainly due to the front wheels (2WD Mode mode) . This last option, by the way, was introduced into the system not only to ensure the highest speed. The fact is that when a SUV car is developed, the designers always have the question: how to make it so that the more or less powerful traction does not lead to the overspending of fuel when the car moves along a normal road. In this regard, a compromise should always be achieved. The 2WD Mode mode in this case is just such a compromise solution.
If you need speed - let it be the 2.0s model!
A characteristic feature of all machines of the SX4 lineup is a super -profitable body. By the way, to notice this, I did not have to go far. It was enough to just get behind the wheel, move off and overcome the joint on the road from the parking lot. But it should be borne in mind that the 2.0S car is equipped with 17-inch wheels, which, as I have already noted, are suspended to the body through a shortened suspension. So, when the car goes on the road with a too uneven coating, where it constantly has to overcome potholes and tubercles, and the suspension alone ceases to cope with them, the tires enlarged in size are also powerless, and sharp tremors are immediately felt from below. Therefore, those drivers who are picky in terms of comfort will immediately probably write this car for cars with a rather strict chassis. But at the same time, since the wheels of such a machine hold on to the road tightly, regardless of the quality of its coating, it can be recommended with confidence for whom comfort is not the main thing, and most importantly speed.
Oddly enough, this difference in comfort becomes even more noticeable when driving along a speed highway. When you sit behind the wheel of a 2.0s car, the higher the speed, the greater force acts on the wheels from the side of the road. But at the same time, the smoothness of the suspension is increased. In other words, the intensity is higher than the marked shocks from below, and the body begins to stay quite evenly. And how do cars of other models behave? In this case, the controlled wheels, as it were, acquire additional hardness, so much so that sometimes there is a feeling that the reaction of the steering drive is slightly behind the driver's commands. This is, you know, the feeling that you control a machine with a rather high body. Of course, based on the fact that the SX4 machine is nothing more than a car from the SUV category, then all models, with the exception of 2.0S, can be recognized as quite stable and safe to control. But if you take, so to speak, a sports component, or, if you like, to compare new machines with the previous Suzuki Swift model, then the only model that can withstand such a comparison is, of course, SX4 2.0S.
As for the dynamics of acceleration, even with a one and a half-liter engine, the new car accelerates smoothly, without any tangible failures. And this is due, first of all, with the fact that the characteristics of the engine and transmission are linked in the most successful way. Of course, a more voluminous, 2-liter engine has a decent power reserve, and therefore it is possible to accelerate on such a machine easily, without straining, which gives a lot of pleasure. But in practical terms, taking into account the fact that the machine is nevertheless intended mainly for driving around the city and on high-speed routes, the intensity of accelerating even a 1.5-liter model can be recognized as satisfactory. The only thing I would recommend to those who prefer an active driving manner to always use the 4WD Auto Mode mode, since the machine is equipped with a I-AWD switched over-wheel drive system.
Someone may argue that there is practically no difference between 2WD and 4WD modes. Well, partly I can agree with this, because when moving around the city, it really does not always succeed in feeling this difference. At the same time, if you go to the suburban, high -speed highway and try to compare the behavior of the car on the front and all -wheel drive, the difference will be more noticeable here. In particular, the 2WD mode will not fully give the feeling of stability, which is characteristic of driving in 4WD Auto mode, it may be because the wheels seem insufficient enough to the road.
Naturally, the level of comfort will still vary depending on the category of the machine, as well as depending on the selected type of drive - 2WD or 4WD. But at the same time, is it so important if sitting behind the wheel of a SX4 car you feel the main enlarged body rigidity and a successful combination of all the units that drive it. With such data, right, one can also claim world recognition! True, to be meticulous, it should be noted the need to adjust a few more the electric amplifier of the steering mechanism. After all, usually, when you describe the arc and begin to turn the steering wheel even more, it turns out that the larger the angle, the greater the return, right? And in this case, you hardly feel it, therefore, you can’t understand how much the grip of the wheels with the road is very clearly. Of course, for the domestic market, I think it would have come down so, but we are talking about a car that claims to be global recognition. And precisely because everything in the SX4 car has been done, and all the components are balanced at a high level, it is only worth something, in this case, to the steering, to contain even a small flaw, as you immediately pay increased attention to this.
Technical characteristics of the Suzuki SX4 2.0S model:
Length 4135 mm x width 1730 mm x height 1570 mm.
Wheel base: 2500 mm.
Machine weight: 1310 kg.
Drive: all -wheel drive 4wd
Engine: 2-liter, 4-cylinder with a vertically in order of cylinders, gas distribution mechanism type DOCH, maximum developed power 107 KW (145 hp) at 5800 rpm, the largest torque of 193 NM (19.7 kg/ m) at 4000 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic gearbox
The price of a new car in Japan: 2 million 37 thousand yen (~ 18.300 $)
 
 

Source: CarView.co.jp