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. The cargo compartment volume is not outstanding: it 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 light 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 gears 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 at the highest level, which is not always liked by everyone. 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 room for storage. 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 changes 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.
The new Suzuki SX4 is so different from the old one that it should have been renamed; anyway, it wasn’t possible to capitalize on the popularity of the old raised hatch.
The thesis “The economy must be economical - this is the demand of the time,” first voiced in 1981 at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU, becomes more relevant every year all over the world. Even the largest automakers are trying to minimize costs by introducing common platforms for almost the entire model range.
Gone are the classic Vitara - an SUV with a solid rear axle, real all-wheel drive, with a low gear, and the baby SX4 - a raised hatch with a crossover clutch in the rear wheel drive. Today Vitara and SX4 are essentially the same crossover, but in order to sell it twice, they had to divide the target audience, so the new Vitara, which appeared a little later, got an attractive youth “outfit”, and the SX4 was “dressed” in a deliberately solid body .
The front end with a high hood line and an “animal grin” of thick crossbars of the radiator grille looks ridiculously heavy along with the roof sloping at the rear and the flat line of the trunk door. In addition, the pompous front view conflicts with the modestly designed
back part. However, the strange design is one of the few drawbacks of this crossover, and people have different tastes; some people probably like it.
SOLID FIVE
The hard plastic of the Suzuki SX4 dashboard looks better than other “soft touch” ones, and they didn’t skimp on options either. Separate climate control, dual-mode heated seats, a grippy “multi-steering wheel” with a full range of functions, followed by neat manual gear shift paddles in the automatic transmission. Push-button ignition, seven-inch media system screen, decent sound. Touch control, it turns out, can also be convenient - to adjust the volume of the radio, just slide your finger up or down along the left edge of the screen; the system supports Apple Cardiac and MirrorLink.The tidy is modest, but perfectly readable, the ergonomics are good, the profile of the fabric seats (there are no options with leather for the SX4) is good, and the lateral support is well expressed. The steering wheel is adjustable not only for tilt, but also for reach, so choosing a comfortable position behind the steering wheel is much easier than in the reference Duster.
Of course, there are minor miscalculations: for example, the transmission mode switch constantly slips into “sport” past “drive”, the automatic mode is only available for the driver’s window, and there is no place for rear passengers to charge their phone. In addition, the gallery is a bit cramped, the knees do not rest against the backs of the front seats, but the seats are back to back, and the middle passenger will “hug” with his legs the center armrest box that protrudes far back.
The rear seats fold in a 60/40 ratio, there is no ski hatch, but the angle of the backrest can be changed. Under the raised floor there is a neat small organizer and a stowage compartment instead of a full-size spare tire, and the wheel is covered with an additional partition and is completely separated from the main “underfloor”. The trunk is small; the minimum volume is 430 liters, but the maximum is only 1269 liters, that is, as much as 300 liters less than that of the same Duster.
Overall, if space isn't a deciding factor when purchasing, the new SX4's cabin ratings are very high.
SMALL BUT STRONG
The SX4 has two engines: the old 1.6-liter petrol “atmos-fernik” with a capacity of 117 hp, from the previous generation, and the fresh Boosterjet - a turbocharged “buzz-pity” with a volume of only 1.4 liters, but a power of 140 hp. With. As happens in our market not only with the “Japanese”, there are no trim levels with an “older” engine and “mechanics”, a five-speed manual transmission comes only with a modest “aspirated” engine.However, the automatic transmission with the same number of gears is very good. The gearbox fits perfectly with the Boosterjet, there are no dips in traction, the stages in “drive” change smoothly but without delay, in sport mode the shifts become almost instantaneous, the cabin is quiet and at high speed, the engine is clearly audible only during acceleration. The manual mode paddles are nothing more than a good “toy”, with no practical use: anyway, the selected gear does not hold until the cutoff.
The torque of the “turbo engine” is 220 Nm, all this thrust is available in the range from 1500 to 4000 rpm, that is, almost from idle. Although the acceleration is not amazing - 10.2 seconds to 100 km/h - the Boosterjet “drives” perfectly, there are no problems with fast overtaking.
In the city, the SX4 is very lively, but the suspension is too “squeezed.” However, without this, the character of the Rossover would not be complete, so you will have to “listen” to too much detailed information about small irregularities and learn to brake in front of speed bumps. Otherwise, there are no problems - directional stability is maintained even in a rut, lateral roll is very small. The electric power steering is set up well: there is enough information, and the somewhat artificial effort on the steering wheel does not interfere with enjoying how confidently the crossover “writes an arc” in corners.
YOU CAN'T FALSE GEOMETRY
Oddly enough, the “petty” nature of the Suzuki SX4 suspension on a moderately broken grader changes for the better - up to 50 km/h it is quite comfortable and quite quiet.The “crickets” in the cabin don’t seem to “live” at all; I have never heard any creaks or vibrations from the panels. True, it is impossible to “yawn” large irregularities - there are not enough suspension moves for gullies, it is easy to grab a “breakdown” or “smash” the long and low front bumper against some bump during the compression stroke.
Ground clearance is only 180 mm, you can’t clear it up. Despite its short wheelbase (the distance between the wheels is only 2600 mm), the SX4 is a poor fighter for terrain obstacles, because of this, almost all the potential of its all-wheel drive system is wasted. This is especially offensive, because the system is good! The “smart” all-wheel drive AIIGrip 4WD perfectly simulates inter-wheel locks, operates quickly and softly, and has several modes. True, there is only one conditionally off-road vehicle - “snow”, but in it you can lock the clutch, and the torque will be distributed equally among the axles.
Having turned off ESP, I almost crawled into a slippery climb with traction, but in the middle of the hill the road tires did not have enough grip, all four wheels honestly “rowed”, but in vain - I had to roll back down and look for another trajectory. The ill-fated front bumper prevented me from jumping up from acceleration; I didn’t want to “stick” it into the ground at the bottom bend.
Yes, not a lot, but in real life the SX4 is unlikely to encounter off-road conditions, but the high-quality AIIGrip 4WD electronics give you a much better chance of getting out of the city snow porridge than less “smart” systems.
UNCLEAR POSITION
In the top configuration, the Suzuki SX4 with a “turbo engine” will cost 1,599,000 rubles. For this money you can buy “a lot more cars.” For example, a two-liter gasoline 150-horsepower KIA Sportage with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission in the Comfort package costs 1,564,900 rubles, and prices for the ubiquitous Renault Duster do not exceed 1,019,990 rubles. Internal competition is also strong: Suzuki Vitara S with the same 140-horsepower Boosterjet and six-speed automatic transmission costs 1,585,000 rubles. The trunk, however, is even smaller - from 375 to 1120 liters, but the SX4 is not a truck. If you approach the choice with soul and heart, and not with a tape measure and a calculator, then the Suzuki SX4 noticeably pales next to the Vitara, whose appearance does not conflict with the driver’s character.
It seems that the compact crossover Suzuki SX4 was originally conceived not so much as a car, but as a magical generator of positive emotions
It's no secret that crossovers of different brands make different impressions on us. And this is probably good, because in a large palette it is easier to choose something suitable. Moreover, every manufacturer tries to create a certain image for their cars, a key to understanding the brand... And only with Suzuki everything is different. The company's models, with the possible exception of the unquestioned authority of the Jimny, leave mixed feelings in the soul of an unbiased observer. No matter how hard you try, a coherent image does not come out and the fragments of a seemingly assembled puzzle crumble before your eyes... It’s the same with SX4 - ambiguous and mysterious.
MAIN TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length/width/height:4,300/1,785/1,585 mm
Engine capacity: 1,373 cm3
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 10.2 sec
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
SO EUROPE OR AMERICA?
It seems that Japanese designers once again wanted to please everyone at once. And first of all, taking into account market priorities, to the Europeans. They are sure, and I have repeatedly heard this from Japanese managers, that Europe loves an aggressive appearance. It turned out really aggressive, but with a Japanese accent. Something like a shark from Kinder Surprise - it looks evil, but for some reason it’s not scary. At the same time, the artists had a desire to make a nod to the New World - the vertical slits of the radiator grille look too American... In general, as Comrade Zhdanov would say, the design turned out to be extremely cosmopolitan. I don’t know if this is the effect the Japanese wanted to achieve, but the consumer will have to enjoy the current exterior until the next restyling, which will happen, God willing, in three years.
Huge air ducts and a low screen for the multimedia system.
Old ergonomic mistakes
The blue rims of the instruments probably hint at the celestial distances
GREEN BACK
By the way, about the exterior and image. One of my friends tried for a long time to find a car that would not position him in any way and would not tie him to a specific social group. The search turned out to be unexpectedly difficult... So, the Suzuki SX4 is good precisely because it does not create any background for the owner. The driver himself, and the people around him, quickly forget what he is driving, because this car is devoid of an ideological component. Again, many brand owners have nicknames of some sort. Each of them, depending on their mood, can be humiliated, cheered up or teased with something. Fans of Subaru, BMW or LADA - there are epithets for everyone. But there is no nickname for a Suzuki fan. Suzuki is a blank slate. Yes, the car is a little funny in appearance, yes, it is cheerful in character, but these features cannot be put into a short, succinct phrase, or made into a popular meme. Want to try it? Let's try it. The Suzuki SX4 is an inexpensive car that doesn't want to seem like a budget car, and yet manages to be so cute and funny that it constantly pleases the driver. Do you think such a verbal construction can become a meme?
The front overhang is long and low.
However, for an ordinary crossover this is quite tolerable
WHAT'S WRONG?
The Suzuki company has been quite successfully producing budget models in large quantities for many decades. But in each new one, oddly enough, the old innate ergonomic flaws are preserved. It would seem, what would be easier - to make a normal, inexpensive car? But, as you understand, it is important that the cheapness does not catch the eye, and this usually leads to various inconveniences, because beauty comes to the fore, and in the form in which premium brands understand it. And, in order not to be unfounded, let's walk around the cabin - using the example of its individual parts, I will try to explain what we are talking about. Let's look at the pockets in the doors. They have a “convenient” niche for a bottle. If we were talking about ergonomics, then the designers would definitely have positioned the bottle neck towards the driver, and not away from him. Is it difficult? After all, it’s easier to take it out, especially on the go. Let's take a look at the dashboard. Considering that the driver does not look spellbound at the speedometer, but only occasionally glances at it, this device should be in the most visible place (many believe that in the middle) and have the largest readable numbers. But the Suzuki SX4 has a screen in the middle on which fuel consumption is displayed in small print, while the speedometer is pushed to the side and reduced. Although, perhaps this is a thoughtful decision, and the Japanese believe that for thrifty drivers of budget cars, consumption is more important than speed?
Let's move on to the multimedia screen. Here, of course, all control functions are digitized. Even the radio volume. And instead of a clear and familiar regulator, you have to use a narrow strip of the touchscreen, which you still need to hit with your finger, which is not always possible the first time. Let's pay attention to the air ducts. They tried to make this essentially service detail as large and noticeable as possible: “Look, everyone, air is flowing through me!” At the same time, the drive mode switch washer was placed in the blind spot, although sometimes you have to use it while driving. Let's not forget to try out the automatic transmission lever. Reason, intuition, the party and the government would never have allowed the switching algorithm to be made in such a way that the driver would always miss the “drive”, but the Japanese managed to do it. Well, at the end of the ergonomics tour, try getting out of the car. Oops, oops, oops! What, it doesn't work? You pull the door handle, but it remains locked as it was? And all because you need to find a rather small button to deactivate the central locking and deal with the situation manually...
The characteristic Japanese slant
present even in the rear lights
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Why did I pay so much attention to ergonomics? Because it always seemed to me that if you produce a budget car, then you should still have the money that you saved on design, technology and materials. Can at least some of it be spent wisely? For example, one day I found myself on a test drive, where there were many of the most inexpensive Chinese cars. All of them were single-wheel drive, so I didn’t drive them, but I sat in all of them. Out of curiosity. So, everywhere the speedometers were at the very top of the front panel and with huge numbers. Yes, it looked cheap and not prestigious, but it was much more convenient than looking at some small icons while looking between the spokes of the steering wheel. God only knows whether we will live to see the time when the Japanese begin to focus on the Chinese, and not on the Germans? Why, in fact, take from the premium segment all the worst that it has?
POKEMON MAGIC
But the driving qualities of the SX4 leave the most pleasant impressions. However, not in the sense that would be implied in relation to a European or American car, where the term “pleasant” would mean certain efforts by the manufacturer to achieve this quality - Suzuki obviously did not try. Here is the simplest pendant - one of those that could be obtained by mixing all the Japanese pendants and choosing the average one. In other words, the manufacturer did not want to stand out, but only to integrate extremely harmoniously into the existing suspension trend, which is not accidental, since it has been Suzuki’s philosophy for many years. What's good about this approach? It is impossible to make claims against him. When you get into a Mercedes, you always find flaws in the chassis because you initially had a lot of expectations about its settings. Suzuki honestly delivers what it promises and is therefore impeccable. The only thing that is not clear is how Suzuki magically manages to build so much lightness and a cloudless mood into its little car. This fact defies rational explanation, but behind the wheel of the SX4 you always feel a positive charge. Maybe the Japanese still have some secret Pokemon magic?
Simple transformation of the interior without a hatch
for long-length and reclining seats
WHO WILL?
It's a shame that there's nothing particularly positive to say about the all-wheel drive system. The clutch is not very reliable and overheats quite quickly, so you won’t be able to practice powerful slipping off-road. It’s clear that you shouldn’t ride it on unsteady ground. But in the city this car is extremely pleasant - not too hard, not too rolly. A wonderful, average Japanese crossover with a strange expression on his face: either he was bitten by a shark, or he himself is a shark and is going to bite you... In any case, the image is original and far from the mainstream. So he will certainly have connoisseurs.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SUZUKI SX4
Wheelbase:2 600 mm
Front/rear track:1 535/1 505 mm
Ground clearance:180 mm
Overhangs front/rear: 980/720
Trunk volume: 430/1,269 l
Curb weight: 1,235 kg
Gross weight: 1,730 kg
Transmission: 6AT
Drive type: Electronically connected
Engine type: Petrol turbo R4
Power:140@5500 hp@rpm
Cool. moment:220@ 1500-4000 Nm@rpm
Front suspension: MacPherson strut
Rear suspension: Semi-independent
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc
Tires: 215/60 R16
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The compact crossover Suzuki SX4 is built in a monocoque body with a transverse engine. The new Boosterjet 1.4 petrol turbo engine is borrowed from the Vitara model and, despite its small volume, has the highest power among Suzuki compact engines. The front suspension is MacPherson strut, the rear is elastokinematic beam. The drive is permanent to the front wheels, the rear wheels are connected using a multi-plate clutch.
Text by Dmitry Leontyev
Photos by Alexander Strakhov-Baranov
Today we are testing a modern version of the Suzuki SX4 - the second generation restyling. Appearance - If you look at the front, it has a retro feel. 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 - there is 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 current generation Suzuki SX4 is offered on the 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
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 180 mm. 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 509,000 UAH.
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 when making 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 steering wheels can determine how the car behaves: like a front-wheel drive one or, having received most of the traction on the rear wheels, like a rear-wheel drive one...
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.
Whereas 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 |
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