No, we are not clairvoyants, but it so happened that our Suzuki SX4 test came out almost simultaneously with the news that the Suzuki factory team has entered the WRC. Moreover, the base for the rally car is declared to be our today's hero — the SX4. For the first time in the history of the world championship, a combat vehicle will be built on the basis of a high-cross-country vehicle. This is also a kind of precedent.
Exactly a year ago, Suzuki showed its first crossover — the SX4. The decoding of the index is simple: "Sport Crossover", where S is sport, X is from the word "cross", and the four symbolizes all four seasons. The project was international from the very beginning: the exterior and interior were entrusted to the Italdesign studio, the platform was taken from the compact Swift, the petrol engines are Japanese, the diesel is Italian. In addition, under the FIAT brand, a twin brother is produced — the Sedici crossover. Here it is worth making a small digression: the SX4, in fact, exists in two guises. Under this index, two different cars are made — a front-wheel-drive golf-class hatchback and an all-wheel-drive crossover. We, of course, are talking only about the crossover. It is easy to distinguish them: the all-wheel-drive version has larger wheels, higher ground clearance, and a black plastic "skirt" of moldings and sills runs along the perimeter of the body. The Italian relative also has a road modification.
IT IS BAD TO LIVE WITHOUT AN "AUTOMATIC"
Since the launch into production, the engine range of the European Suzuki SX4 has not changed. Only one of the three engines available in the Old World is supplied to us — the newest version of the well-known G16A with a VVT system producing 106 hp. In Europe, there is also a 1.5-liter 96-horsepower unit (front-wheel drive only) and all-wheel-drive versions with a 1.9-liter turbodiesel and a 6-speed manual. All-wheel drive is not combined with an "automatic". In America and Japan, crossovers with 2.0-liter 143-horsepower engines are sold, and Suzuki is considering the supply of such cars to us.
MOMENT WITH MIND
The Suzuki SX4 has an electric power steering and "smart" all-wheel drive. Together with a very lively and elastic engine, this means that fast driving on it is not only pleasant, but also useful — in terms of safety. The main thing is to release the clutch faster, because the mechanism works indistinctly, and for the first kilometers you can spend a long time unsuccessfully looking for the engagement point. Having gotten used to it, you begin to feel the clutch and can focus on control. The car behaves especially interestingly on slippery surfaces. The main drive of the crossover is front. In the Auto position, when starting and accelerating, more and more torque is transmitted to the rear axle — from 10 percent at the very beginning of movement. At the same time, the car's behavior almost always corresponds to front-wheel drive with a clear understeer — this is done for safety. But it is worth crossing the line of reason, tearing all wheels into wheelspin, driving the car into a side skid or provoking a controlled drift — and there is no trace of the former predictability! You cross the line — and that's it, the car is lost: you can throw the steering wheel, pedals and wait until it stabilizes itself. Very exciting!
But on the highway, the advantages of a "city fighter" turn into disadvantages: the steering wheel is too sensitive, the shock absorbers are somewhat stiff, at speeds above 120 km/h the car reacts to every breath of wind and nervously passes through ruts. If so — let's spit on the asphalt and turn off it!
TO FREEDOM
Oh, how good it is to rush on the SX4 along a dirt road — only snow dust trails behind. But we are also interested in its off-road capabilities. All-wheel drive is an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch with three modes: fully unlocked, automatic and fully locked. The ground clearance of the all-wheel-drive version is 190 mm. Disadvantages: lack of electronic locks, a large front overhang and a wheelbase that is considerable for such a short car. In practice, it turned out that the overhang really needs to be protected — especially since the bumper is molded from a huge piece of plastic, and if damaged, the entire "face" will have to be replaced. Sitting on the belly at a break in the terrain is easy, but there are powerful spars. But with engine traction, it's a problem: at low revs, it is catastrophically lacking! Movement in tension is impossible in principle. That is, it is possible, but the tension is obtained only at 3000 rpm — here it already smells like a clutch. But on the move, places where it seems you will definitely sit down are flown over. But no: the car is light — 1200 kg of curb weight, the belly is smooth, the clearance is decent. If you deliberately avoid frankly dead places and, without hesitation, press the gas, then the Suzuki will quite support the reputation of the brand, famous for its light SUVs.
PARADISE FOR TWO
In the cabin of the Suzuki SX4, it is spacious only in the front. In the back, a tall person will either rest their knees against the backs of the front seats or their head against the ceiling. And for the driver and navigator — it's a wide open space. The seats are comfortable, pleasantly firm, with good lateral support and seat cushion height adjustment. The steering column is adjustable only by tilt angle, but this does not prevent finding a comfortable position. Most of the controls are located on the steering wheel and steering column switches, some functions are duplicated by buttons on the center console. Everything is extremely economical and nice, except that the plastic from which most of the interior elements are made looks too cheap, and the colors are somewhat boring. But the instrument lighting is bright, blood-red, illuminating not only the scales but the entire cabin with a demonic light. The car is equipped with automatic climate control, a decent audio system and keyless access — and all this is standard. The trunk is small: 270 liters up to the level of the curtain. But the space can be easily increased by folding the second-row seats. Among the disadvantages, we will record the very large loading height.
OUT OF COMPETITION
Despite some minor and annoying flaws, the Suzuki SX4 has proven itself quite well. It is equally good on asphalt and on a dirt road, feels slightly less confident on the highway and requires caution when driving off-road. It has no competitors at all, and when they will appear is unknown. It is very simple in design, comfortable and has a true fighting character. What can I say — a real Suzuki!
SPECIFICATIONS | | Make | Suzuki SX4 | | Length/width/height, mm | 4140/1755/1620 | | Wheelbase, mm | 2500 | | Ground clearance, mm | 190 |
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Of course. Here is the rewritten text of the test drive in Russian, preserving all facts, figures and author's assessments, but with completely reformulated sentences.
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I have long harbored the idea of taking a compact SUV from Suzuki for a test. Despite the fact that the model is no longer a novelty, its popularity on the secondary market does not fade, which means there must be something in it for which it is forgiven for its respectable age. Finally, I got the ignition key in my hands, and I went to get acquainted with this "Japanese" closer.
I will immediately note that the seating position in the car is quite high, which gives a good view. The interior, of course, is designed in the spirit of its time: simple materials, laconic instrument panel, but everything is made solidly and does not cause a desire to find a flaw. Ergonomics are thought out well, everything necessary is at hand, and you quickly get used to it.
Under the hood of this specimen is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a volume of 1.6 liters, which produces 107 horsepower. For a car weighing 1245 kilograms, this, at first glance, may seem a little, but in practice the sensations are deceptive. The car accelerates to a hundred in 11.5 seconds, and this is quite enough for confident movement around the city. The maximum speed declared by the manufacturer is 170 kilometers per hour, although in reality hardly anyone will constantly use it. The five-speed manual works clearly and understandably, allowing you to effectively use the torque of 145 Nm, available already at four thousand revolutions.
The main thing that interested me was the car's behavior off-road. And here the Suzuki did not let down. The suspension, independent in front and semi-independent in the rear, perfectly handles irregularities. Body rolls in corners on asphalt are moderate, and on a dirt road the car stands as if glued. I specifically looked for potholes and bumps, but the suspension with honor withstood all the tests, remaining energy-intensive and not breaking through to the stops. Of course, it cannot be said that it floats along the road like a large sedan, but for its class and purpose it is very good.
The brakes with disc mechanisms on all wheels provide predictable deceleration, although they require some getting used to the force on the pedal. Standard tires of dimension 205/60 R16 hold both asphalt and light off-road well.
Fuel consumption in the combined cycle I got about 8.9 liters per hundred, which is quite modest for an all-wheel-drive car. Given the fifty-liter tank, this provides a decent range.
As a result, I got exactly what I expected. This is not just a utilitarian car, but a real "working tool" that gives driving pleasure and is not afraid of any surprises. Yes, it is not the fastest and not the most luxurious, but it has its own charm and charisma. This is a car for those who value reliability and functionality, who are ready for adventures. I was very pleased with this acquaintance.
