Design of Suzuki SX4 Crossover

The SX4 was born from the DNA of Suzuki compact cars that are well known with their agility. Suzuki's engineers have innovated to marry a sports car, with a compact SUV. The result was a 4 seasons sport car Suzuki X-over for which truly multifunctional and can be driven on any kind of roads. Suzuki SX4 was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show 2006 and was produced in Plant Suzuki Esztergom, Hungary and designed by Giorgetto Giugiaros from design house Italdesign Studio.

Suzuki SX4 is a pioneer for crossover model in Indonesia. Crossover is a new category of vehicle which results from combination of toughness of SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and comfortable MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle). The SUV character is reflected in the relatively high ground clearance, while the character of MPV represents by a comfortable and wide of interior space.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover Design

Although originally intended solely for the European market, the SX4 is sold in most of Suzuki's international markets. It was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and is manufactured at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary, Japan, and Manesar, India. An expected 60,000 units will be produced — 2/3 to be sold by Suzuki and 1/3 by Fiat, badged as the Sedici. SX4 Crossover is also sold in Indonesia since 2007. Earlier models were directly imported from Japan (Completely Built-up/CBU), however locally-assembled version were later introduced to meet the higher-than-expected market demand.

Base engines are the 1.5-litre gasoline unit identical to the one used in the Swift, 1.6-litre gasoline (with VVT) with maximum output of 102 PS (which powers Suzuki SX4 Sedan sold in India by Maruti), the new 1.6-litre VVT seen in the new Grand Vitara and a 107 PS (79 kW), 1.6-litre DDIS — along with the Fiat diesel engine with a maximum output of 120 PS (88 kW) and maximum torque of 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf).

The SX4 was initially released as a five-door hatchback body style, marketed as the SX4 Crossover. With boot space of 300 litres (270 litres VDA) and 60:40 split fold rear seats, they have a tumble/roll configuration that allows for an uninterrupted flat load area up to a maximum volume of 1,045 litres (625 litres VDA).

The Sedan model, marketed as the SX4 Sport, debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show and has been released in Japan, India, and a few Eastern European markets. It replaced the Suzuki Aerio sedan and also the Daewoo-based Suzuki Forenza sedan and station wagon.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover 2007

Suzuki SX4 2007

The North American-market model arrived in 2006 as a 2007 model year as Suzuki's entry-level AWD vehicle. Differences from the European model are the offering of AWD as standard (2WD Version available in Canada, Europe, Israel and China while AWD is optional in Canada) and a single 2.0 L J20B 143 hp (107 kW) inline-4 gasoline engine. In 2007 Suzuki Auto posted the best year-end close in company history, with SX4 sales a primary contributor to this success.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover 2008

Suzuki SX4 Sedan 2008

For 2008, the company is attempting to give the SX4 line broader appeal with the debut of the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport. Offered only as a front-wheel-drive sedan, the SX4 Sport will eventually supplant the Forenza/Reno siblings as Suzuki's mainstream economy sedan entry. The "Sport" in the sedan's name is intentional, as Suzuki hopes to emphasize that its lowered and more firmly tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels and lower body kit add up to a sportier driving experience. Suzuki even fitted a rear crossbrace in the sedan's trunk for a 15 percent increase in structural rigidity over the hatchback. Unfortunately, this stiffening measure also prevents the rear seats from folding. Otherwise, the SX4 sedan is mechanically identical to the hatchback, using the same 143-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. This new SX4 iteration performs competently in most respects, but it's a stretch to call it sporty.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover 2009

The 2009 model year saw SX4 sedans with standard GPS navigation systems manufactured by Garmin with Bluetooth, weather, and a gas station locator.

The U.S.-market SX4 sedan (marketed as the SX4 Sport) is only available in front-wheel drive(FWD). Except for the absence of iAWD, the option packages for the SX4 Sport closely matched those available for the SX4 Crossover.

Both the 1.6 litre FWD hatchback and 1.6 litre FWD sedan models which available in Israel (4-speed automatic only) and Malaysia, are fully imported from Japan. In Indonesia, only two-wheel drive version with 1.5-litre engine is offered.

Suzuki SX4 Hatchback 2009

Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the SX4 are available, although not all combinations of drivetrain and body style may be available in a given market (for instance, until the latter part of the 2008 model year, the U.S.-market SX4 Crossover was only available with iAWD). The AWD models use an electronically controlled iAWD 3-mode four wheel drive system, user-selectable between front wheel drive 2WD mode, automatic AWD AUTO mode, and AWD LOCK 50:50 split permanent AWD LOCK mode which can only be used up to 64 km/h (40 mph), after that it switches to AWD AUTO mode.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover 2010

Suzuki SX4 2010

For the 2010 model year, SX4 five-door hatchback is available with a 1.6-litre DOHC VVT petrol engine, 2.0-litre DOHC engine and 2.0 litre DDiS engine (16 valve, 135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) & 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) torque) on the AWD version. The 1.6 litre DOHC VVT engine revised to the new CO2 emission control standards Euro 5 regulations. The engine gets also performance increase (from 107 to 120 bhp). (The US-market 2.0 litre engine from 143 to 150 bhp) and lower fuel consumption.

The car is offered either a six-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission for 1.6 litre engine cars, or CVT automatic transmission with paddle shifters for 2.0 litre I4 engine cars.

The 2010 model also gets front (ventilated) and rear (solid) disc brakes, 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), optional in 1.6 litre models.

The 2010-model SX4 saw changes to the grille, taillights, instrument cluster, climate controls, and door trim, as well as a restructured cargo hold, and non-fleet all-wheel-drive models add new rear skid plates.

A new SportBack model offers a lowered sport-tuned suspension, body kit, rear spoiler, and also removes the roof rack found on the normal crossover SX4. The 2010 SportBacks include additional standard features.

A red 2010 SX4 SportBack is used by Top Gear USA in its variant of Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car, called "Big Star in a Small Car".