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By
EWAN KENNEDY
3 September 2007
Suzuki has expanded its small-medium SX4 range with a pair of
two-wheel drive models joining the all-wheel drive hatch that was
launched here early this year.
The fact that the AWD version of the SX4 arrived in advance of
the 2WD models and that ‘4’ in the name is likely to cause
some confusion with buyers assuming that all models are four-wheel
drive. Suzuki’s explanation at the SX4 AWD launch that the ‘4’
in the title refers to four seasons rather than 4WD is unlikely to
change this impression.
Styling of the new SX4 sedan is neat and inoffensive as befits
a car that is aimed primarily at the conservative market. As is
generally the case with small cars, the hatchback is much more
attractive and with plenty of cues from the highly-successful
Swift, is more likely to appeal to younger buyers. The two models
have slightly different grille designs.
Entry and exit is easy thanks to the SX4’s height and the
resultant high seat position, a feature which is likely to get a
tick from older occupants. The car’s tall styling also provides
plenty of front seat headroom and only the lankiest of rear seat
passengers will have a problem. There’s good front and
acceptable rear legroom.
The SX4 hatch has good rear storage space, not especially long
but with plenty of height for storing tall objects. However if
boot space is a high priority then the sedan will be your choice.
The little Suzuki four-door has a capacity of 515 litres – that’s
more than in the boots of either the current Commodore or Falcon.
Having a space-saver spare wheel stored below the floor
contributes to the extra space in both models, however this is
less of a problem in a car that’s more likely to spend its days
in urban areas than it would be in a long-distance cruiser.
There’s excellent visibility all round with a large front
windscreen, low waistline and a split A-pillar with a large,
practical triangular glass pane in the middle. Add large,
well-shaped side mirrors and driving the SX4 around town is a
breeze.
All SX4 models come with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
engine that generates 107 kilowatts at 5800 rpm and 184 Newton
metres of torque at 3500 revs. Transmission options are four-speed
automatic and five-speed manual.
Engine performance is capable, without being particularly
exciting. The four-speed auto struggled at times in hilly country
during our test drive but the manual gearbox was smooth and
positive and added greatly to the driving experience.
Fuel consumption is listed at 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres in
a combination of city and highway driving with a manual SX4 sedan
or hatch, rising to 9.5 L/100 km with automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on all SX4 models includes air conditioning
and an eight-speaker audio system with MP3-compatible single CD
player and steering wheel controls, dual front airbags and ABS
brakes with emergency brake assist and electronic brakeforce
distribution.
The higher-specced SX4 S adds alloy wheels, cruise control,
climate-control air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
front fog lamps and front side and curtain airbags. It also uses a
proximity key system which allows the car doors to be opened and
the engine started without the ‘key’ being used in either
instance, it simply has to be within proximity of the car. It’s
a system that until now has been used mainly in more expensive
cars and, like many technical advances, is now filtering down to
cheaper models.
The SX4 hatches come with disc brakes on all four wheels,
ventilated at the front. The sedan, while it has ventilated front
discs, makes do with rear drum brakes.
Suzuki SX4 is competitively priced with the entry-level hatch
and sedan each priced at $19,990 and the SX4 S models at $22,990.
The price of the AWD model remains at $24,390. Automatic
transmission, available with both 2WD and 4WD models, adds $2000
to these prices.
Model names and prices are the same throughout Australia,
previous Suzuki models have often been different in Queensland and
northern NSW where a separate importer operates.
Suzuki has been going through a boom period in Australia thanks
mainly to the success of the Swift hatchback. The combination of
the SX4’s fresh styling, practicality and value should see the
company maintain this momentum.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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