SUZUKI WELCOMES NEW HOT-HATCH TO SX4 FAMILY OF VEHICLES
09/24/2010
Suzuki
For 2011, the SX4 family, including the SX4 Crossover AWD with standard all-wheel drive; SX4 Sedan and youthful SX4 SportBack combine to offer the nimble handling of a compact sedan and five-door hatch with the full capability of all-wheel drive. Not traveling too far outside the family, the SX4 lineup embodies the sporty character and award-winning handling found in its European cousin, the Suzuki Swift. And the appeal doesn't end there, with the 2011 SX4 Crossover, SX4 Sedan and SX4 SportBack offering bold, contemporary styling and a generous list of standard features.
Though fairly new to the scene, the 2011 SX4 SportBack shares many features with the SX4 Crossover, including bold styling cues from Suzuki's design studio in and a daring attitude that appeals to younger buyers.
As with all 2011 Suzuki automobiles and light trucks, the SX4 SportBack is backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
Interior Flexibility
The SX4 SportBack is efficiently designed to provide interior accommodations for five, with generous front and rear legroom and headroom. Wide door openings allow easy entry, and raised theater-style seating enhances the roomy, airy feeling for rear seat passengers. In addition, the SX4 SportBack comes equipped with an automatic-dimming rear view mirror with compass; standard AM/FM/CD four-speaker audio system with MP3 and XM Satellite RadioÂ(R)1 capability; air conditioning; remote keyless entry; reclining split-folding second row; a driver's information center; and integrated navigation system.
Dynamic Handling
The SX4 SportBack, tuned to sport mode and following the tradition of the urban-cool SX4 sold in European markets, benefits from a lower ride height, performance shocks and standard stabilizer bars. Serving to further enhance the ride-and-handling balance are 17-inch alloy rims sporting 205/50 all-season Dunlops. The sticky, low-profile radials contribute to the SX4 SportBack's sure-footed braking, as do standard four-wheel discs.
Upgraded Powertrain
The good news continues under the hood. Since its introduction, the SX4 has benefited from a full 2.0 liters of displacement. That capacity, a little more than 120 cubic inches, provides a competitive edge when contrasted with the bulk of the SX4's competitive segment where displacements of 1.6-1.8 liters are more often the norm. With this newest iteration, Suzuki utilizes a 2.0-liter engine (new for MY2010), boasting five percent more horsepower and 4 lb.-ft. of additional torque, all while delivering - in the EPA cycle - 30 highway miles per gallon. In a larger 2.4-liter displacement version, the same engine architecture is found under the hood of the all-new, stunning and technically advanced 2011 Kizashi.
As before, the 16-valve valvetrain is controlled by dual overhead cams. From the same company building the world's fastest production motorcycle, one expects competitive performance, and this new 2.0 liter delivers: 150 horsepower at 6,200 rpm in combination with 140 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm for manual transmission models (148 hp with CVT). Beyond the numbers are a fluid delivery, instant responsiveness and a much smaller carbon footprint than the reliable predecessor.
Connecting the improved powerplant to the SX4's front wheels is the choice of a six-speed manual or an all-new (in MY2010) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). With the addition of an extra cog, the SX4 SportBack driver benefits from six degrees of separation, especially when placing the Suzuki in its competitive segment. Lower ratios are more closely spaced, allowing the driver to stay in the sweet spot of the powerband throughout the acceleration cycle. Moreover, while the closely spaced ratios improve acceleration when merging or passing, the overdrive sixth allows for relaxed cruising at highway speeds, improving the driving experience while maximizing fuel efficiency.
For added urban convenience, the new CVT optimizes both performance and efficiency via a console-mounted gear selector or paddle shifters, better maintaining the engine's rpm 'sweet spot' over a wide range of both in-town and freeway driving.
Built for Safety
Class-leading active safety features in the SX4 SportBack include the electronic stability program with traction control and four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system and electronic brake-force distribution. Together with the traction control system, stability control helps ensure vehicle stability when cornering, accelerating, driving on slippery roads or conducting emergency maneuvers.
Passive safety starts with a reinforced body offering front and rear crumple zones designed to help absorb impact energy. Eight airbags are standard, including driver and front passenger advanced frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags designed to provide additional protection for front-seat and outboard rear-seat passengers. With the new-for-2011 rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, the SX4 family of vehicles meets 2014 side impact standards. In addition, front three-point seatbelts include pretensioners and force limiters.
The SX4 SportBack also is equipped with ISOFIX-compliant child seat anchors and the LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) in rear outboard seat positions. Daytime running lights and a tire pressure monitoring system are also standard. Together, all of this safety equipment makes the SX4 SportBack one of the best-equipped vehicles in its class with respect to safety.
2011 SX4 SportBack Trim
Standard features on the SX4 SportBack SE include power windows, locks and mirrors; leather steering wheel cover; fog lights; an upgraded audio system; aero body trim; cruise control; air conditioning; an AM/FM/CD/MP3 XM Satellite Radio-ready audio system; tilt steering wheel; 17-inch alloy wheels; and trip computer. In addition, the SX4 SportBack comes equipped with an integrated navigation system (with available advanced features including traffic, fuel prices and airline arrival/departure information) as standard equipment.
In the SX4 SportBack the standard audio system is XM Satellite Radio-capable, and an accessory iPodÂ(R)2 interface is available. A connected iPod works seamlessly through the radio and the steering-wheel-integrated controls, with playlists and track information appearing on the audio display.
Technical Specifications - 2011 Suzuki SX4 SportBack
Wheelbase: 98.4 inches
Overall Length: 162.8 inches
Overall Width: 69.1 inches
Engine: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine
Horsepower: 150 hp @ 6,200 rpm (manual) 148 hp @ 6,000 rpm (CVT)
Torque: 140 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission, Manual: 6-speed manual transmission
Transmission, Automatic: Continuously Variable
Brakes: 4-wheel disc brakes and four-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (available Electronic Stability Control)
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates: 22/30 FWD MT with 17-inch wheels 23/30 FWD CVT with 17-inch wheels
* Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. Traffic content not available for all areas. See www.navteq.com/rdstraffic for traffic coverage areas and www.garmin.com/traffic/fm/navteq.html for program License Agreement containing complete terms and conditions.
1 XM Satellite Radio is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio, Inc.
2 iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.