Today we are testing a modern version of the Suzuki SX4 - the second generation restyling. Appearance- if you look at the front, there is a retro feeling. Such radiator grilles were made... uh, let's say, a long time ago. From the side and rear there is a standard SX4, an ordinary city crossover, nothing remarkable catches the eye. This is good - everything original remains in front.
Inside there is a hard, not particularly “customer-oriented” plastic finish, which “looks” much better than it feels. At the same time, everything is assembled neatly, no complaints arise on this issue. Although from a car at the price at which the current top-end Suzuki SX4 is sold, you expect a little more.
The seats are quite comfortable, although without pronounced lateral support. All adjustments are mechanical. The steering wheel is adjustable in two planes, but alas, it is not heated. The sun visors have mirrors and are illuminated. For power windows, auto mode is available only on the driver's door window. There is a center armrest, but it is quite narrow. A USB input is hidden in its depths. In the usual place at the bottom of the center console there is a 12V socket and buttons for two-position heating of the front seats.
There is little in the car for rear passengers - only a central armrest with two cup holders. No air ducts, no power outlets or USB ports of any kind, no heated seats. And this is at the top.
The on-board computer, the screen of which is located in the center of the dashboard, is black and white, very archaic in appearance and set of functions, with an adjustment button located right in the corner of the tidy. The central multimedia system is quite modern, filled with functions, but at the same time, literally everything is done using touch buttons - both touch on/off and touch sound adjustment are very inconvenient. It's good that there are alternative buttons on the steering wheel. The rear view camera is good and clear, but as always, it gets dirty quickly in bad weather.
Dimensions of the machine. Length - 4,300 mm. Width - 1,785 mm. Height - 1,585 mm. Wheelbase - 2,600 mm. Ground clearance - 180 mm. The turning diameter is 10.4 meters.
Maximum power of 140 hp. the engine develops at 5,400 rpm, and the maximum torque of 220 Nm shows in the range of 1,500 - 4,000 rpm.
Trunk - 430 liters. If you unfold the rear row of seats, you get 1,269 liters. Quite a good trunk for a car of this size. The spare tire is hidden under the raised floor. There is a 12V socket in the luggage compartment.
Curb weight - 1,235 kg. Load capacity - 495 kg.
Maximum speed - 200 km/h. Acceleration to hundreds is 10.2 seconds. In reality, we managed to do it in 8.6 seconds. Tank - 47 liters. Gasoline - 95. Official consumption data is not provided. Based on the results of the test, the consumption turned out to be as follows: in the city in traffic jams 9 liters per hundred, in the city without any special traffic jams or in mixed mode - 8 liters, on the highway - 6-6.5 liters. Very economical, I was incredibly pleased with the car's fuel consumption.
I was so pleased with both the dynamics and handling - it drives collectedly, doesn’t heel when cornering, accelerates quickly, slows down superbly (sometimes there’s even a feeling that it’s a little harsh), despite the hard finishing materials, nothing rattles inside (despite the mileage of 15 thousand kilometers ) - perhaps this is due to the good Hungarian assembly. The engine makes a great impression - it has no drop in power or torque at low speeds, and the car just flies with it. And the sound insulation is surprisingly good for this class of car, and even more so for the Suzuki brand - the Vitara feels much noisier. The suspension is moderately soft, handles bumps well, especially small and medium ones, and even allows you to overcome traffic policemen at more or less reasonable speeds without much nervous tension.
I noticed the excellent head light - the top-end configuration has excellent LED headlights, and they shine very brightly and richly. I also noticed the not very convenient automatic transmission selector lever - it shifts in a straight line and you constantly miss when you want to turn on mode D, but end up in M - manual. And the most remarkable thing was under the hood - the car has, attention - two gas shock absorbers and a poker - apparently, just in case. Original solution.
Now the Suzuki SX4 car in the current generation is offered at Russian market in several versions. Two engine options - a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 117 hp. and a gasoline-free turbocharged one with a volume of 1.4 liters and 140 hp. Cars with the first power unit are offered a) with front-wheel drive and manual transmission, b) with front-wheel drive and automatic transmission, c) with all-wheel drive and manual transmission. All. There is no option with all-wheel drive or an automatic transmission. But cars with a 140-horsepower engine are available, on the contrary, only with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with two drive options - front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The price range is quite wide - from 1,200,000 for a 117-horsepower car with front-wheel drive and manual transmission to 1,620,000 rubles for a 140-horsepower version with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. They are assembled at a factory in Hungary.
Photo gallery
He was one of the first to test the restyled version of the Suzuki SX4 2018. Journalist Alexander Kataev rode such a crossover on the roads of Italy and expressed his opinion about the interior of the updated model.
The driver's seat is neat and boringly average - no zest, no fancy, not the slightest risk. And it would be completely bland if not for the appearance of a multimedia system with a touch screen from the Vitara model. Quick feedback on short touches, Russification, good graphics and navigator skills of the navigation system...
True, it is not always possible to successfully “scroll” the volume scale. And the dark “gloss” that frames it, getting dirty, will frankly please only fingerprint specialists: a whole lot of random fingerprints are collected during the day of the test.
It's comfortable behind the wheel, not a single serious complaint. But I want a more inventive setting. Gray plastics in the cabin have become softer and more pleasant to the touch
In terms of interior design, the SX4 remains the most ordinary crossover. The back seat is quite free, thanks to the recesses for the knees in the backs of the front seats. Volume cargo compartment not outstanding: varies from 430 to 1,269 liters.
Alexey Batushenko from the AvtoVzglyad publication took a ride in the updated Suzuki SX4 2018 crossover. The journalist tested the car both in the city and on the highway, as well as on dirt roads and off-road.
Under the hood of the SX4 new tested by the AutoVzglyad portal was a 140-horsepower gasoline turbo engine, known from other cars of the brand. These horses, as it turned out, are quite enough to vigorously “burn” in city traffic - thanks to the relatively low weight of the compact car.
And if you move the “twist” between the front seats, which controls the transmission modes, to the sport position, then the SX4 can even stir up something driver’s in the driver’s soul: the six-speed “automatic” seems to be infused with the spirit of a backyard amateur racer, cranking the “in” at every traffic light "ringing" engine of an elderly Togliatti "nine".
No joke: not every modern city passenger car has a gearbox in “sport mode” that holds the gear almost up to 5000 engine revolutions, allowing the driver to nimble in traffic - thanks for this, by the way, to the compact dimensions of the car.
Traveling out of town now also does not cause worries about the well-being of the “underbelly” of this vehicle. 180 newfound millimeters of ground clearance, a not particularly long wheelbase and short body overhangs allow the updated Suzuki SX4 to feel completely free not only in the slush of city highways, but also on classically broken spring dirt roads.
Without fanaticism, of course, this is not a lifted UAZ. But you no longer feel the shock and awe of seeing a small rut while driving an SX4.
Journalist Oleg Kalaushin, working for the 5Koleso portal, conducted a test drive of the updated Suzuki CX4 2017 with all-wheel drive. His opinion on the driving performance of the new product can be found below.
On the move, the car is practically no different from its predecessor. As before, the suspension pleases with good settings: it’s not too soft and doesn’t shake your soul out on bumps. Noise insulation, if you drive around the city on tires without studs, is also at an acceptable level. And the dynamics of a car with a turbocharged engine leaves a pleasant impression.
The box also knows its business well, in any case, one cannot dare to accuse it of being slow-witted or hard-working. All-wheel drive, as before, can either be set by default, or the rear axle connection can be left to the electronics.
The only thing we can complain about is the not very clear steering wheel, which, however, was also typical for the previous model. His feedback is not really high level, which not everyone and does not always like. Although if you don’t be particularly puzzled by this, then in general the Suzuki SX4 car was and remains a fairly high-quality product, and now also noticeable.
The updated Suzuki SX4 new with a 1.4-liter turbo engine producing 140 hp was tested by CarExpert. and all-wheel drive. Journalist Sergei Dyakonov took a ride in such a car.
The car has comfortable, moderately hard front seats, with long and wide cushions and a wide range of adjustments. Not only the driver's seat, but also the passenger seat is height adjustable. Between the front seats there is a convenient armrest box with a built-in USB connector. The seating position is high, but there is enough headroom and the interior is spacious.
The steering column is adjustable for tilt and reach over a wide range. The Suzuki SX4 has excellent visibility, large mirrors, headrests on the rear seats go down, there are parking sensors in the front and rear and a rear view camera. The aerodynamics of the body are such that the side windows remain clean in the rain.
There is enough space in the back to comfortably accommodate two passengers, the seat backs are adjustable for tilt, and there is a comfortable armrest with two cup holders. The luggage compartment is not record-breaking in volume, but it is comfortable, and the loading height is low. The floor is height adjustable, in the upper position there is a convenient niche underneath for small items, and even lower there is a place for rolling. If you fold the backs of the rear seats, a flat platform is formed.
Now it's time to evaluate the car on the move. From the very first meters of the journey you understand that the new power unit for the Suzuki SX4, as they say, is just what the doctor ordered. The effect of turbo lag is practically not felt. The engine pulls well from the very bottom, the “automatic” is efficient - it switches gears exactly at the moment it is necessary and at the same time smoothly.
In general, yes, it turned out to be quite a “hot paprika”. At the same time, the car is quite comfortable on the go; after restyling, the sound insulation has improved significantly. And very economical, average fuel consumption is 7 - 7.5 liters per 100 km, while it does not particularly depend on driving style, active piloting will not empty the wallet of the owner of this car.
To distinguish the cars ourselves, we asked to install the ALL GRIP nameplate on the all-wheel drive Suzuki SX4 4WD. And jokes aside, it’s the only way you’ll recognize a car with all driving wheels.
The ground clearance of both SX4s is 180mm. Although some manufacturers offer increased ground clearance specifically for all-wheel drive modifications of their crossovers. And this sometimes becomes a decisive factor when choosing the type of drive. Although such cars usually cost more.
In the case of the Suzuki SX4, the ground clearance of the mono- and all-wheel drive versions is the same - 180 mm. But with the 4WD version it’s easier to drive onto the curb without slipping. After all, while the front wheels are pulling the car onto the ledge, the rear wheels are pushing it.
Price issue
One of the key points is the cost of the car in mono- and all-wheel drive versions. The new SX4, regardless of the type of drive and gearbox, is offered in two trim levels: GL and GLX. In the 2WD version with a 1.6-liter (117 hp) engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, the car can be purchased for UAH 467,000. And this is the minimum price for the model as a whole. And the same car, but with ALL GRIP all-wheel drive (4WD), costs UAH 509,000.
The naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine with distributed injection develops 117 hp. and 156 Nm. With such performance of the power unit, the crossover demonstrates a calm character. But it is for such a machine that a choice of configurations, drives, and gearboxes is offered. In addition, its cost is minimal.
In our case, it is enough to pay an additional 42,000 UAH for all-wheel drive, but cars of other brands with all-wheel drive can only be offered in more expensive versions and with more powerful engines, which entails an even greater increase in cost.
An example of this is the all-wheel drive Suzuki SX4 4WD with a more modern 1.4-liter and powerful (140 hp) turbocharged engine, which works exclusively with an automatic transmission. And one of our cars is just like that. It will cost 690,000 UAH, but it clearly demonstrates the differences in equipment.
A more modern powerful (140 hp) and high-torque (220 Nm) 1.4 Booster Jet engine with turbocharging and direct injection is installed on the Suzuki SX4 only with an automatic transmission and in all-wheel drive. The dynamics of such a car are the best, and the speed is the highest.
Only this car is equipped with a 7-inch touch screen, rear view camera and navigation. And if these options are important to you, then the choice will be clear. And then you also get the most dynamic and fastest of the new SX4s.
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On the trip computer screen of a car with all-wheel drive there is an additional display that shows the enabled mode and recommendations.
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Difference in movement
For the 1.6-liter car, both types of drive and transmission are offered: a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. With the same transmission, a front-wheel drive car accelerates to hundreds 1 second earlier and travels 5 km/h faster. At the same time, its engine also consumes less fuel - by 0.2 liters with a manual transmission and by 0.3 liters with an automatic transmission.
After all, a car with an automatic transmission is 85 kg heavier. It's like you're carrying another adult with you all the time. However, the surcharge at the gas station for it is not so significant. In addition, this directly depends on driving style and fuel quality. But we appreciated the advantages that a car with all-wheel drive provides while driving the aforementioned 140-horsepower turbocharged Suzuki SX4 4WD.
According to factory data, it should consume gasoline at the level of a 1.6-liter all-wheel drive car with automatic transmission and slightly more than a front-wheel drive car (see table). But in fact, the fuel consumption of both cars turned out to be equal and amounted to 7.5-8.0 liters per 100 km during the test drive.
The Suzuki SX4 has two cup holders in the tunnels between the front seats.
For dynamic driving, the naturally aspirated engine has to be constantly revved to a loud howl; the gearbox sometimes shifts downwards roughly, and the ride becomes less smooth and uncomfortable. While a car with a 1.4-liter turbo engine starts without a pause, it picks up speed noticeably easier even at low and medium speeds. At the same time, the engine is practically inaudible, but it provides sufficient traction.
But they do not interfere with placing the driving mode switch next to it in the all-wheel drive version.
In fact, in Auto mode, to save fuel, only the drive to the front wheels works, but as soon as they start to slip, the rear wheels turn on, receiving half the traction.
Torque is distributed similarly when the switch is in Snow or Sport position. But the ESP stabilization system already comes into operation earlier or later (in accordance with the selected mode). In winter mode, equal distribution of traction along the axles can be locked with the Lock button. And such blocking lasts at speeds up to 60 km/h.
But we managed without it even on a steep slope. We admit that we had calculated in advance the path of retreat, or rather the descent to the very bottom, but everything turned out to be much simpler. Having only slightly turned the front wheels on the ground, the compact crossover easily drives onto a flat surface. With a single drive, we would have no chance in this situation. And during normal driving, you won’t even notice the difference between the drives. Although in fact, even on smooth, clean roads there is a difference. Especially if you turn on Sport mode. In it, the Suzuki SX4 becomes all-wheel drive with every turn of the steering wheel. This has a positive effect on the dynamics of the car. The corresponding mood is created by sharper engine reactions to the gas pedal, since the gearbox keeps the engine at higher speeds. And all because the box starts shifting up later and down earlier.
You don't have to leave the city to find a steep slope. A similar situation may arise when going on a picnic or to the beach. If we were in such a situation on a front-wheel drive crossover, there would be problems, but with all-wheel drive we drove out effortlessly.
Thanks to the moderately stiff suspension, the car does not tip over. But during sharp maneuvers, it is worth remembering that in a front-wheel drive car, many drivers reflexively perform the correct actions, since its behavior is more predictable than that of an all-wheel drive car, especially with torque floating along the axles. After all, even the position of the steered wheels can determine how the car behaves: like a front-wheel drive one or, having received most of traction to the rear wheels - like a rear-wheel drive...
And yet…
The advantages of a crossover, or SUV, over passenger cars, first of all, are increased ground clearance. But all-wheel drive on such a city car is a useful thing, but not at all necessary. With it, the car is more expensive to purchase, subsequent repairs and maintenance, and also consumes more fuel.
While a crossover with only front drive wheels still allows you to drive through damaged sections of roads, park near curbs and climb them more safely. Although it is still easier to do this in a car with all-wheel drive. There is less chance of the front wheels slipping, since while they are pulling the car onto the ledge, the rear wheels are pushing it.
4WD time
In winter you feel the benefits of all-wheel drive best. It is much easier to drive out of a snow-covered parking space, drive along an unplowed road, and accelerate on a slippery surface. You should also choose such a car if you at least sometimes travel to rough terrain or live in conditions where all-wheel drive is simply necessary: outside the city, where the roads are not cleaned, or where you have to climb a hill to get to your house.
In addition, if you want to purchase a car with more complete (or maximum) equipment and/or with the most powerful engine (this applies not only to the Suzuki SX4, but also to cars of other brands), then such a car will most likely be all-wheel drive.
| 1.6 2WD | 1.4 4WD | |
| Body type | Station wagon | |
| Doors/seats | 5/5 | |
| Dimensions, L/W/H, mm | 4300/1785/1585 | |
| Base, mm | 2600 | |
| Ground clearance, mm | 180 | |
| Curb/full weight, kg | 1190/1720 | 1260/1730 |
| Trunk volume, l | 430/1269 | |
| Tank volume, l | 47 | |
| Engine type | petrol with distribution vpr. | petrol with unimportant vpr. turbo |
| Disp. and quo cyl./cl. on cyl. | R4/2 | |
| Volume, cm cubic. | 1586 | 1373 |
| Power, kW (hp)/rpm | 86(117)/6000 | 103(140)/5500 |
| Max. cr. torque, Nm/rpm | 156/4400 | 220/1500-4000 |
| Drive type | front | auto connect full |
| KP | 6-st. auto | |
| Max. speed, km/h | 170 | 200 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h, s | 12,4 | 10,2 |
| Expenses highway-city, l/100 km | 5,1-7,6 | 5,3-7,9 |
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
Even fans of the brand most often describe this appearance with adjectives: “calm”, “restrained”, “corporate”. But in everything else, the SX4 is one of the strongest players in the class.
They have breakfast with piranhas, snack on anacondas, and invite their neighbors to the black caiman as the main course. Who are these monsters that strike fear throughout the Amazon? The cutest-looking creatures Pteronura brasiliensis, relatives of our otters, only slimmer and tanned. The situation is similar with the hero of our story - behind the vegetarian appearance of the “sexy”, as the young ladies call him, hides a carnivorous predator. So carnivorous that it will not let go of anyone who wanders or swims into its territory. Even the related Vitara, with which it shares hardware and is close in size and price. It was precisely because of the fear of internal cannibalism that Suzuki tried to separate the models as much as possible into different corners of the ring, depriving the SX4 of a fair share of its originality. But the Japanese can be understood - the brand traditionally relies on full-fledged crossovers, which are now more popular than ever. That is why the Vitara was not only revived from the ashes, but also provided with many options for individualization. And the “four” were reoriented to a much more conservative audience. Or they were completely taken out of the markets out of harm’s way. So we're still lucky.
“What we have, we don’t store...” Turns out the SX-4 had a design. True, this became clear after the facelift, during which the crossover seemed to have been replaced with a heavy radiator grille from the Chinese Buick. It’s hard to believe that any designer would include this work in their portfolio or resume. The artist Vasya Lozhkin immediately comes to mind with his eternal “I don’t know how to draw, but I really love it.”
However, appearance was never strong point stamps from Shizuoka Prefecture. Yes, over the 62-year history of Suzuki there have been SJ/Jimny (1976), the same Vitara (1988) and Grand Vitara (2005). But, as can be seen from the chronology, these stylistic successes were rather Brownian in nature. It’s another matter when the task is to please everyone at once. There is no time for beauty here; we need universality, averageness, even a certain impersonality. Hence the hodgepodge of elements from Qashqai, Tiguan, Kuga, etc. Even the Mitsubishi ASX, against the backdrop of the hero of our story, looks like a manifesto of individuality and corporate style, and the Juke and Captur look like trendsetters.
But the homespun truth is that cars with a Gothic S on the radiator grille are chosen for completely different qualities - for their pragmatism (strong, but light or compact, but roomy), for their emphasized utilitarianism. Yes, yes, in our time, when a car is primarily a continuation of the individuality of its owner, there is a whole layer of buyers who do not like to stand out on the road. Their show-offs are concentrated in a completely different area and they buy “wheels” not with their hearts, but in a completely different place. Surrounded by catalogs and tax tables, with a calculator in hand and the reflection of configurators in the eyes. In their coordinate system there is no place for design delights, a trail of legend, a halo of victories, etc. In the first place are purely philistine-mercantile qualities such as the “price/quality” ratio, “dimensions/capacity”. And their choice is not a winner in one or two categories, but a model without obvious shortcomings and weak points, which scored greatest number points for consumer characteristics.
And with this our hero is completely fine. Only a snob can criticize “sexy.” Especially for driving habits. On asphalt, the SX4 most closely resembles not even its predecessor, but the Swift. Equally clear reactions, obedient steering, slight roll in corners and indifference to average lousy bumps. That is, the main property of the Swift has been preserved - a suspension that is perfectly balanced in terms of rigidity and density.
The choice of engine is also pleasing. No, the long-awaited (and long-promised) diesel 1.6 DDiS (120 hp) never reached the middle of the Dnieper. But in tandem with the veteran M16A (1600 cc, 117 hp), which will celebrate its majority this year, the Japanese have added the latest “turbo-four”. K14C Boosterjet (1400 cc, 140 hp), familiar to us from the Vitara S. Aluminum block, direct fuel injection, an IHI turbine that forces air into the cylinders with an excess pressure of up to 1.2 bar - even on paper that’s all looks promising. And in life it’s even better. The motor spins - praise be to downshifting - like a Husqvarna chainsaw, while using gasoline no more than a Zipp lighter. And the best part is that the Boosterjet was born to work hand in hand with the 6-speed automatic transmission. If you want, roll steadily in city traffic - the Aisin automatic machine clicks through the gears quite adequately. You need to speed up or “justly reason with the insolence of the presumptuous youth” - in sport mode the electronics will drop down a gear or two plus sharpen the sensitivity of the gas pedal.
Our tests were partially carried out on the Chaika, as part of the qualifying cycle of the Auto Roku competition. And it turned out that snow and ice on the racing trajectory are the same native element of the “four” as the Amazon estuaries for otters, from which our story began. And even in complete off-road conditions, the SX4 is its own king. During filming, we decided to experiment by inviting freelancers, whose eyes were not so blurred, instead of the on-duty photographer. And, in search of new angles, we discovered the most amazing feature of “sexy” - his all-round passionarity. the very first exit from the beaten path here provoked an instant surge of suicidal victimization, like an SX4 in past life was at least a Gelendvagen. Thanks to the AllGrip AWD plug-in all-wheel drive system (with new pre-settings Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock), the crossover confidently cut through even the icy concrete slabs of the Obolon dam. Conceptually, AllGrip is similar to the somewhat “deformed” xDrive mechatronics. An electronically controlled clutch in the rear wheel drive is capable of transmitting up to half the torque to the rear axle in emergency situations. Working in tandem with traction control and ABS systems, when suspended diagonally, it simulates inter-wheel locks, braking the slipping wheels and literally pushing the “sexy” through bumps. And with forced locking (Lock mode), the torque between the axles is distributed in equal proportions, provided that the speed does not exceed 60 km/h. By the way, remembering the frequent overheating of the clutch in Kizashi sedans, here the Japanese have provided a more efficient heat removal system.
The only thing the SX4 doesn’t like is broken asphalt, which we see more and more of as we get closer to spring. It seems like the suspension travel allows you not to bow to every crater, but the contact is hard. Moreover, the current state of Kyiv roads is called “I’m driving through potholes, I can’t get out of the potholes.” I remember previous version was less scrupulous in these matters. But this is perhaps the only “running” quality in which the neophyte loses to its predecessor.
Inside, at first glance, there are no special changes. It is especially difficult to find them in the basic versions. Which, however, is no wonder - despite the simplicity and old-fashionedness, the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats are quite modern in terms of ergonomics. And the readability of the simple instrumentation is at the highest, Volkswagen level. The only thing that is puzzling is the blue color of the scale illumination, which is in disharmony with the carrot-colored illumination of the symbols of buttons, keys and steering wheel paddles.
The main interior differences of the restyled version: fashionable black gloss that gives the interior a premium touch, higher quality upholstery materials and tactilely pleasant plastic dashboard. But it smells, as Nikolai Fomenko would say, of “Chinese rice.” The infrastructure component of the dashboard is a multimedia complex screen with support for Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink interfaces, again borrowed from the Vitara. Alas, this did not save the sound of the music: it remained very mediocre as it was. And the 7-inch touch display itself comes from the late 2000s. Agree, it’s a strange proximity to the newfangled Start/Stop engine button.
But the rear is more spacious than any of its classmates. Including thanks to the high-mounted front seats - now those sitting in the gallery have somewhere to stick their socks. Plus there are two levels of backrest adjustment. With my 1.9 meters, I am positioned “behind myself” with a small margin. Another thing that causes criticism is the sofa itself: it is uncomplicated in shaping and has poor grip in turns. The only hope is the folding armrest, which, like the tilt-adjustable backrest, is a feature of the GLX configuration.
The rear seat backs, which can be folded with a slight hand movement, increase the useful volume from 430 liters (for Vitara - 375 liters) to 1269 liters, allowing you to transport not only a lot of things, but also large ones. For example, 160 cm skis. Oh, if only the rookery turned out to be level, and therefore suitable for sleeping... And yet the trunk will please even the most inveterate skeptic. Not to mention the children, the “Plyushkins” and Uzhgorod smugglers. A wide opening, a low loading height, a 12-volt socket, side niches for small items, a lampshade - everything is for people, as if Skoda specialists had worked here. Under the main floor there is an additional one, allowing you to hide small things like a warning triangle, winter mittens, etc. out of sight. Interestingly, the space between the shelves is exactly like that of the Renault Sandero Stepway and Lada XRay - 10 cm, that is, ideal for smuggling cigarettes . The spare tire is neatly fitted with an insert with a gentleman's tire fitter's kit. In short, the SX4 wins on points even in the most secret areas. Eh. he wouldn't have had such a decadent appearance. However, such averageness is also a trend, a kind of sign of the postmodern era, when there is so much of everything in the world that everything is similar to everything.
The whole photo shootTell me you find something wrong with the new Suzuki SX4 and I'll tell you who you are. You are a snob. Because the SX4 is a rare car that has practically nothing to reproach. At least within its price and size class
The manufacturing company positions it as a car for travel. It’s time to smile: how far can you go with a 430-liter trunk? How much will you take with you? But reasonable objections immediately arise. Firstly, once upon a time people traveled in cars with much smaller trunks - and nothing was wrong, they were quite happy. Secondly, the main thing is to position the model correctly. Today, it is not the buyer who is thinking about how he will go on vacation to the sea, but the seller who orients him. Do some sedans have larger trunks? Yes, but these cars are positioned for business, and not for vacation trips, therefore, they are no longer needed. What about pickups? Also not at the box office: these are small trucks with appropriate driving characteristics. And why do you need to carry a cubic meter of air with you every day? Either it's a compact crossover. On weekdays he will take you to the office, on weekends - to a shopping and entertainment center, during “vacations” - to the sights of the country or vacation spots in the warm south. Or in the north, west, east - whoever prefers where.
Novelty in retro style
In fact, 430 liters of luggage space is not so little. The first SX4, presented in Geneva in 2006, was really too small. Apparently, the Italian “love” for minimalism had an effect, because it was designed Japanese model with the participation of FIAT specialists and ItalDesign studio. And some of the cars came off the Hungarian assembly line with the Italian name FIAT Sedici.
It was initially assumed that the model would be intended only for Europe. But today it is sold on all continents, and this also suggests that even if it has some very isolated disadvantages, its advantages outweigh them. Don't like the small trunk? It will be big for you - in 2007, the SX4 Sport sedan was presented in New York. I don’t know how, but in the fall of 2006 I saw this sedan at the Beijing Auto Show. And in 2013, in Geneva, I attended the first show of the second generation Suzuki SX4, which was not only prettier than the previous one, but also more practical. Restyling, carried out in 2016, almost did not change the appearance of the model, only a powerful chrome-plated false radiator grille was added, giving the car a light retro style and “referring” it to Jeep models of the end of the last century. The headlights and taillights have changed, and LEDs have appeared in the optics. That's all, actually.
There are even fewer changes inside. The most noticeable innovation distinguishes the “senior” configurations - this is a new seven-inch touch screen in the center of the dashboard. Around it is a piano lacquer colored plastic insert. This plastic is hard, but there are many elements of softer materials around. There weren't any before.
The dashboard, which remained unchanged, for some reason reminded me... of the Subaru Outback model. In general, the SX4 is somewhat similar to someone from many angles. Take a look at its overall outline - it’s practically the twin brother of the first generation Qashqai! And the taillights are similar to this model. There are also similarities with Renault Sandero Stepway and LADA XRay. It is in the “double bottom” of the trunk, an additional shelf, the space under which has the same height - 10 cm. It’s a suspiciously exact coincidence.
But at the same time, how well the parts of the back of the rear sofa fold together! The useful luggage volume for a couple of travelers is 1269 liters. The floor, the length of which, according to our measurements, increases to 160 cm (this is the length of the skis in the photo), comes out almost flat. The only downside is the spare tire. But look how well the set of driver’s tools is “fitted” into it. Nothing is hanging around the trunk or secured in plain sight, as if hastily, this often happens.
The rear sofa is relatively flat, its width is 134 cm (between the armrests on the doors). There is enough headroom for tall people, but there is not enough room for their knees - only 28 cm (this is if I am driving). The opening between the angle of the maximum open rear door and the sofa cushion is also relatively small - 29 cm. At the same time, we accidentally discovered that the backrest is adjustable in tilt! However, at the choice of passengers, it is fixed in only two positions, practically indistinguishable from each other.
The SX4 surpasses the Vitara in almost all dimensional parameters, including trunk volume (430 liters versus 375 liters). The two models have the same engines and transmissions, and similarly, versions with the 1.4-liter 140-horsepower turbo engine are automatic only, while the 1.6-liter 117-horsepower cars are available with a manual. On the Russian market, the new Suzuki SX4 is offered in two trim levels: GL (1,179,000 - 1,329,000 rubles) and GLX (1,409,000 - 1,619,000 rubles). For comparison, the price of the Vitara model is from 1,099,000 rubles to 1,619,000 rubles.
A transmission tunnel is visible at the passengers' feet. It’s not for nothing that the model index contains the letters “X” and “4” - it can have all-wheel drive. And this mechanism deserves attention here, because it is AllGrip, the same as on the new Vitara, which we tested a year ago in real combat conditions - in a sand quarry. It behaved excellently, so you can confidently expect similar off-road successes from the company’s “younger” model.
"Younger"? Why exactly? It used to be that the SX4 was a baby, and the Vitara (then Grand Vitara) had powerful off-road weapons, including even a “lowering” gear. But now the two models are very close in size, and in terms of “weapons” they are also brothers (more like sisters). It’s even surprising why the company created such internal competition. If I were faced with a choice between these two cars, my eyes would simply run wide. The new Vitara, in my opinion, is prettier in appearance (especially in the two-tone body version), but the SX4, although standard in appearance, is not repulsive. And its interior looks even more modern than that of its rival. And the equipment is similar. So…
More about the salon. I noticed that the test version of the SX4 had very soft fabric seat upholstery. This one quickly develops abrasions. So far they are not noticeable, but I’m afraid they won’t keep you waiting. And all kinds of rubbish are surprisingly persistently attached to this fabric. This is especially noticeable to me as the owner of a white dog. She did not drive this car, but her lint through my clothes and belongings migrated to the dark seats and was constantly evident. In such a case, a car vacuum cleaner will become your constant companion.
In general, you can sit behind the wheel without the slightest problem. Both the driver's and passenger seats are adjustable in height, and the front cabin width is 138 cm. One of the journalists who tested the new SX4 complained about insufficient lumbar support (it is not adjustable). For me - yes, and let her not. The chair is already comfortable, my back didn’t ache even after a five-hour drive.
Instruments are the standard of readability. The blue color of the scales “comes off” a little from the red backlighting of the symbols on the buttons and keys, but this is not critical. As well as, in fact, the red backlight. I myself would prefer white, bluish, greenish, but in this case I’m resigned to red. Because I really liked that almost everything is highlighted here, including the symbols on the steering wheel paddles for manual gear selection. The on-board computer display is monochrome, perhaps not very rich in functionality, and the button for changing screens is old-fashioned, located on the dashboard. But at the same time, it is located in such a way that you don’t have to put your whole hand behind the wheel while driving.
The test car did not have a rich multimedia system with a touch screen. “Wealth” had to be extracted in the full sense of the word from a simple-looking “radio”. In fact, all controls are located on the right rotary encoder, with its help you operate music files on a flash drive and configure the connection mobile phone via Bluetooth. After setup, the connection is established automatically, and it is convenient to answer incoming calls using the buttons on the steering wheel (they are all also backlit in the dark). You can also adjust the sound of the audio system using an equalizer, but I wouldn’t use it if I were you. You definitely can’t add bass: it makes the interior trim panels vibrate, very strongly and especially somewhere in the back.
I think after this description you will say that the first snob is me. Not really. All the negative aspects I mentioned can be considered mere trifles (even the sound of the music). Overall, the Suzuki SX4 produces very positive impression, he is all somehow cozy, comfortable and attractive. It seems that he really took a lot of cues from his competitors, but somehow shuffled in his own way and doesn’t look like someone else’s 100% copy. Maybe they gave it a relatively average appearance so that it would not actively discourage buyers from the new Vitara, which, in my opinion, is much more “old school” inside?
Let's smell the gasoline
Is the SX4 fussy about fuel? Don't think. In any case, during the almost 1000-kilometer test, he did not express any complaints about Russian 95-octane gasoline.
Our market also offers a 1.4-liter 140 horsepower K14C Boosterjet petrol turbo engine, the same as on the Vitara. Only the six-speed Aisin automatic is available with it. And with a 120-horsepower unit, a five-speed manual transmission is also possible. We tested the “automatic” version with front-wheel drive.
And again, a coincidence: a motor with similar parameters is available in the Nissan range... As is the case with it, you shouldn’t expect any special dynamics from the SX4. In urban conditions, he is not a sprinter at all; accelerating to “hundreds” takes, according to the official technical specifications, 13 p. Not too fast. The manual mode of the box, although it helps to accelerate more actively, is to a small extent. You can also select gears using the paddles in D mode, but the selected gear will not be fixed for long, for a matter of seconds. Then the box will switch to the gear that it considers more optimal for movement.
When accelerating in M mode, don’t rely too much on the automatic either. According to my feelings, the downshift does not occur upon reaching the red rpm zone, but earlier, that is, the transmission performs a kick-down in both M and D. For example, you wanted to know how long it will take to accelerate from 60 to 80 km /h in fourth gear, we pressed the gas pedal to the floor, but the third one immediately jumped out on the dashboard. Approximately, this increase in speed takes 4-5 seconds.
Up to 3000 rpm, the engine is almost inaudible, but then it begins to growl, like a Suzuki Bandit motorcycle started in a metal garage. This adds excitement to the driver, especially when he notices that the power and torque of the 1.6-liter engine is more noticeable at the top. According to my observations, pickup increases somewhere around 4000 rpm. When driving calmly, the automatic transmission changes to a higher gear at approximately 2500 rpm, when driving more intensively - at 3000-3200 rpm, when driving actively - at around 4000-4200 rpm.
Actually, there is nothing special in the “activity” of the units of the updated SX4. The engines and transmissions of other crossovers that are similar in size, power and price operate in much the same way. But what attracts attention is the efficiency of the model from Suzuki. I had the opportunity to cover about 400 kilometers along the highway in a day (or rather, night) when the first snowfalls fell on Moscow and the Moscow region. The road cleaners did not have time to work everywhere, and the speed had to be chosen, as they say, according to weather conditions. Accelerating in snowy areas to a maximum of 90 km/h, and in cleared areas up to 110, I found that at the end of the journey the average gasoline consumption was only 6.7 liters per 100 km. We had to go in the opposite direction in better weather, and the speed had already reached 130-140 km/h. Plus, I used the cruise control system for a while. How much do you think the consumption has increased? It’s hard to believe, but only... 0.1 liters.
Here is another example from this test. The SX4 arrived at its final destination with 50 km of fuel remaining. Rearranging the car around the yard and idling for a long time during the photo shoot reduced the distance to 30 km. The nearest gas station is 15 km away, so, having moved towards it, I decided not to rush and move in the most economical mode. Here it is 80 km/h, instantaneous consumption decreases to 5 liters per 100 km. However... the potential mileage suddenly began to actively increase. First up to 33, then 36 kilometers, then the numbers “40” and even “50” appeared. I set my goal at a longer and more profitable refueling and decided to watch the flow meter: how many more kilometers will it give me? He gave only 1 kilometer, after which he stopped tracking the mileage - dashes appeared on the display instead of numbers. This means that there is 50 km of gasoline left.
It later turned out that the SX4 consumes more fuel when parked with the engine running than when driving. But at the same time it is “disingenuous”: there is more gasoline left than the on-board computer reports. Perhaps this was done on purpose so that the driver does not waste fuel and, in addition, does not pollute environment.
How are things going with the “cruise”? Yes, in general, also standard. At a fixed speed of 90 km/h, the engine speed does not exceed the “1800” mark, and instantaneous fuel consumption seems to be within the “five” range. This is called “sniffing gasoline.”
The system control buttons are located on the right spoke of the steering wheel, and the logic of use is intuitive. By the way, there is also a separate speed limiter. By pressing the “+” or “-” buttons, the system adds or resets 1 km/h. But one day a strange mistake happened: when I tried to increase the speed, the car did not react to my actions for some time, and then suddenly accelerated with a jerk an additional 10 km/h. I had to flinch. True, this failure was the only one during the entire trip and, I am sure, accidental.
But what will probably irritate you is the default double door unlocking function. When you unlock them from the key fob, only the driver's door will be unlocked first, and only after pressing it again will all the others be unlocked. However, this function can be reprogrammed and lock all doors by pressing the central locking button once.
"Russification" required
The single-wheel drive version of the Suzuki SX4 has a standard set of suspensions for a crossover of this class: a MacPherson strut at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear. It's simple. But controllability leaves pleasant experience. The car listens well to the steering wheel and does not roll much in sharp turns. The steering wheel makes about 2.7 turns from lock to lock. The mechanism uses an electric booster, and when turning the steering wheel you can detect a barely noticeable discreteness. But it doesn’t spoil the feeling at all. There are models in which this discreteness is much more noticeable.
1.6-liter M16A gasoline engine with 117 hp. With. has been produced since 2001, but has recently undergone significant modernization. Many of its parts were lightened (for example, the crankshaft, connecting rod and piston group, exhaust system), and the stiffness of the valve mechanism springs became less. All this certainly contributes to fuel efficiency. The engine develops a peak torque of 156 Nm at 4400 rpm. From zero to 100 km/h, the Suzuki SX4 with this engine accelerates in 12.4 seconds and is capable of reaching a top speed of 170 km/h. The version with a 1.4-liter 140-horsepower turbo engine reaches “hundreds” 2 seconds faster, and its top speed is 200 km/h.
There is little roll, but the suspension cannot be called stiff. She's just dense. On large bumps (and speed bumps) it shakes violently, but does not notice small flaws. Got a broken primer? I don’t want to fall down - it turns out a bit harsh. Cargo bounces around in the trunk and some interior trim panels squeak (but not many). But you don’t have to stand on ceremony with uneven surfaces: the ground clearance, according to the passport, is 180 mm. This is for Russia, and for European versions - 170 mm.
On a dirt road, in mud mixed with the first wet snow, the ABS chirps cheerfully at the slightest touch of the brake pedal. Perhaps it works a little earlier than we would like, and so do the brake mechanisms themselves. I would like to wish them a little more grip, the lack of which will certainly be more noticeable when the car is loaded.
The stabilization system, it feels like, is also in no hurry to intervene in the driver’s control actions. Or rather, it intervenes in time, but the warning indicator does not light up immediately, although the engine is already “strangled” and there is no acceleration. If necessary, the safety electronics can be turned off, which is a plus.
But, to be honest, I didn’t want to turn it off. Because the weather conditions during the test were the most combative. There was dirt on the dirt roads, and on the highways every now and then there was either fresh snow that had not been removed, or snow that had been rolled into ice. It was alarming that the car was “shod” in winter tires, but without studs - the so-called “Velcro”. It was noticed that they do not stick to ice so readily. But ABS worked exceptionally correctly on slippery surfaces.
Well, how do you think the updated Suzuki SX4 turned out to be suitable for long-distance travel? I think so. Although there were some drawbacks that caught our attention, they were all minor and forgivable. However, there are a few things I would suggest changing under the hood. For example, install a more powerful battery. 40 Amp-hours is not enough for Russian frosts. The accessory drive belt is narrow and thin, which does not speak well for its durability. The washer reservoir does not boast of volume, holding only about 2.5 liters of anti-freeze. All manufacturing companies that “Russify” their models install four- or even five-liter tanks specifically for our conditions. Even under the hood of the Suzuki, it was noticed that the expansion tank of the engine cooling system was a little loose.
And yet I continue to insist that I am not a snob. Am I identifying flaws? Yes, but I emphasize that these are, rather, just the features of this car. True, perhaps, I could not find the main feature. So far I have not yet determined for myself, so to speak, the “individual” features of Suzuki models. What is their originality, what is their unique “tzimmes”? Why should I, when choosing a compact crossover for myself, choose the new SX4, and not a similar priced and equipped model from another manufacturer? This “traveler” does not captivate with anything bright and original. Perhaps the company is deliberately blurring its “individuality”, trying to adapt as much as possible to today’s trends. In this case, the originality and originality of the cars disappears, but the final sum of points, as they say, adds up. And it is no coincidence that the initially European SX4 model gained popularity on other continents. I think the updated version will find its buyer in Russia.
