2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Car Review and Specs | 2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Car Wallpaper Pictures Pics

Suzuki’s SX4 is a distinctive five-door hatchback that blends the characteristics of sporty compacts exemplified by the Swift, with those of lightweight SUVs such as the Grand Vitara, to create an exciting small car alternative.

The resulting ‘sport X-over’ combines responsive driving dynamics, 4x4 capability, high levels of practicality and styling that suggests a freestyle approach to life.

The UK line-up offers three engine options - two diesel and one petrol. The 107PS 1.6 litre VVT petrol engine is available in either GL or GLX 2WD (front-wheel drive) format or as a 4GRIP GLX model with selectable/automatic four-wheel drive.

The two diesels, which have an identical equipment specification to the petrol GLX grade, are a 90PS 1.6 DDiS unit with two wheel drive and a 120PS 1.9 litre DDiS which is fitted with 4GRIP 4WD.

Following Swift and Grand Vitara, SX4 was Suzuki’s third global strategic model. It also forms the basis for its World Rally Championship challenger.

SX4 is the result of a joint development agreement between Suzuki and Fiat Auto, in which Suzuki was responsible for project management from concept to mass production. SX4 models sold in Europe are built at Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary.

The Suzuki SX4 is styled to look good in any setting. Fusing the dynamism of SUVs with the elegance of passenger cars gives poise and presence beyond the model’s compact size. An elegant and simple flowing form sits atop a purposefully dynamic and substantial lower structure. A low, rising waistline and large, triangular glazing forward of the front doors give the vehicle a strong, sporty wedge shape expressing dynamic performance, while the pronounced wheelarches and wide front and rear track broadcast stability and good traction. The design suggests a potential that is not found in conventional hatchbacks and that is pure Suzuki in nature: exciting, multi-dimensional, and, visually, highly appealing.

Two model grades are available: GL and GLX. GLX and the 4GRIP 4WD models have a bold SUV appearance with alloy wheels, wheel arch extensions, side protection mouldings, side under protection mouldings and front and rear skid plates. The GL grade emphasises SX4’s passenger car characteristics with fewer SUV elements.

The “X-over” design continues inside the vehicle, with curving wraparound forms and trim materials and fabrics that have high visual and tactile quality. Circular motifs and a flowing centre panel – also used to critical acclaim in other Suzuki models – express the car’s dynamic performance and add to its active lifestyle appeal.

The two-tone interior is predominantly black, highlighted with metallic-coloured accents and wedge-shaped motifs, for a look that is both bold and refined. The instrument panel’s ergonomic design ensures the key meters and controls are intuitive and simple to use. The large three-dial cluster provides important information at a glance and neatly echoes the metallic, circular motifs of the side air outlets and other controls.

The centre panel with its flush surfaces is a striking example of functionality and format, housing the audio, air conditioning and other controls. On GLX models the large dials of the fully automatic air conditioning have ring lights, which make them easier to see and use, while adding to the overall refined quality.

The five-door Suzuki SX4 comfortably accommodates up to five people and their luggage needs, while retaining a sleek and stylish look. The 4WD models have exterior length-width-height dimensions of 4,235mm x 1,755mm x 1,620mm (2WD models:1,605mm) These efficient proportions and a minimum turning circle of 10.6 metres make SX4 easy to navigate around narrow urban streets and easier to park in spaces that would be out-of-bounds to larger SUVs.

The spacious interior offers plenty of leg and shoulder room, even for rear seat passengers. Space is not the only factor in ensuring plenty of on-board comfort: the shape and position of the seats are designed to support a natural posture, a key factor in comfortable long-distance travel. Additionally, ideal seat heights, large door openings, and high ground clearance make ease access easy for all on board. The rear seats are set slightly higher, which means even those in the back get a good all-round view.

The rear seats divide 60:40, which means long items can be carried while still seating one or two rear passengers. They can be tumbled forward to create an almost fully flat load floor, increasing boot capacity from 270 to 625 litres (VDA measurement).

A number of handy storage compartments are provided throughout the cabin, including large pockets on all doors with bottle holders.

1.6 litre petrol and 1.6 and 1.9 litre diesel units
Particulate filter standard on all diesel models
Close ratio six-speed manual transmission standard with 1.9 diesel 4GRIP

The Suzuki SX4 was engineered from the outset to offer all-wheel drive capability, yet still deliver sharp, dynamic performance. The inherent qualities of sporty hatchbacks are evident in the car’s responsiveness and comfortable long-distance travel, while Suzuki’s extensive experience in 4WD technology delivers all-wheel traction that is more than adequate for everyday situations. Notably SX4 is the only car in its class to offer the combination of diesel engine, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

Advanced powerplant and drivetrain technologies equip SX4 for fun, dynamic performance in any environment. The range offers the choice of one petrol and two diesel engines: a 107 PS 1.6 litre VVT (variable valve timing) petrol engine, a 90 PS 1.6 litre DDiS diesel and a 120 PS 1.9 litre DDiS diesel.

As well as VVT, the 1.6-litre petrol engine also features drive by wire throttle control for good driveability and response. It powers the 2WD models from nought to 62 mph in 10.8 seconds – 11.5 seconds for the 4GRIP model. In combined cycle driving, the 2WD manual models return 41.5mpg, while the 4GRIP is only slightly behind, returning 40.9mpg, a very respectable figure for a petrol-powered 4x4.

The 1.6 DDiS engine, sourced from Peugeot, delivers 90PS and 215Nm of torque at just 1,750rpm to ensure lively, flexible performance and strong fuel economy. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and driving through the front wheels, it achieves 53.3 mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. Nought to 62 mph acceleration is achieved in 12.2 seconds, with a top speed where permitted of 109mph.

The 1.9-litre diesel, sourced from Fiat, is intercooled, turbocharged and features direct-injection. Its flat torque curve guarantees powerful acceleration and smooth performance throughout the rev range. The common-rail direct-injection system helps cut down emissions, while making the engine one of the most powerful in its class, with 120PS at 3,500 rpm and 280Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. Punchy performance allied to great economy sees nought to 62 mph clocked up in 10.6 seconds and fuel economy registering an excellent 44.8 mpg (combined cycle).

A six-speed manual transmission, developed by Suzuki, is paired to the 1.9 litre diesel engine, its close-ratio set-up allowing the engine’s potential to be fully realised. The petrol engine is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, with the GLX offering the option of a four-speed automatic.

The signature feature of the Suzuki SX4 4GRIP is its i-AWD switchable three-mode all-wheel drive system. An Electric Control Coupling Device allows the driver to select 4WD-Auto, 4WD-Lock, and 2WD modes to suit driving conditions, giving excellent traction on low grip surfaces.

In 4WD-Auto mode in normal driving conditions there is no torque transfer to the rear wheels, so the SX4 4GRIP effectively operates as a front-wheel drive vehicle. As soon as any pronounced front wheel slip is detected, torque is automatically apportioned to the rear wheels to give all-wheel traction and improve vehicle stability.

4WD-Lock mode maintains full traction up to around 40mph, before automatically switching to 4WD-Auto mode for smooth cruising. Selecting 2WD (drive through the front wheels) optimises fuel economy.

Suspension design developed specifically to match body stiffness
Wide track and large tyres contribute to stable performance and ride quality
Fine-tuning of suspension and brakes conducted in Europe

The Suzuki SX4 provides crisp, predictable handling designed to satisfy European driving tastes. This has been achieved by carefully matching the suspension characteristics to the highly rigid platform. Extensive fine-tuning of the chassis was conducted in Europe to ensure ride and handling performance meet European market preferences.

The body is an evolution fundamental design that helped carry the Suzuki Swift to numerous awards throughout the world, including Car magazine’s Car of the Year in 2006. Its high levels of bending and torsional rigidity and reinforced suspension mounts allow the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension to perform to their full potential. Wide 1,500/1,495 mm front and rear tracks (1,495/1,495 mm for 4x4 models) and 205/60R16 tyres further contribute to the stable ride quality.

The Suzuki SX4 inspires confidence with its extensive array of safety features. Active safety elements include ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), standard on all models.

Overall SX4 has an outstandingly crashworthy structure, which helped it gain four Stars for adult occupant in Euro NCAP testing. Extensive use is made of high tensile steel and tailored blanks in the car’s construction to achieve strength without the penalty of added weight. Front and rear crush zones absorb impact energy, while the frame design directs much of the impact energy away from the highly reinforced cabin.

In the cabin the driver enjoys a commanding position at the wheel with a wide field of vision. Front, side and curtain airbags are provided on all models, together with front pretensioners and force-limiters for front seatbelts; three-point belts with emergency locking retractors are provided on all rear seats, with ISOFIX child seat anchor points.

SX4 also offers high levels of specific protection for pedestrians and child passengers, measures which have secured the model three-star Euro NCAP ratings in both categories, a particularly impressive result for a compact car.

Contact

Hybrid Cars

Car Magazines

Latest Car News!

Login

Register

Home

Latest Car News

New Car Review Areas

General Car Topics

2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Review

View this 2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Wallpaper Picture

View this 2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Wallpaper Picture Gallery

View this 2009 Suzuki SX4 Proven All Rounder Wallpaper Picture Gallery

Latest SUZUKI Headlines

Latest Car News