2010 SUZUKI SX4 CROSSOVER COMBINES
10/16/2009
Suzuki
Since its introduction, Suzuki's SX4 Crossover has established a loyal following by seamlessly blending the nimble handling of a compact five-door with the 'adventure sport' capability of all-wheel drive. Remaining America's least expensive auto with all-wheel drive, the SX4 continues to capture media attention and praise. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com has recognized the SX4 as one of its "Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000," while the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) awarded the SX4 with its "Yankee Value Award" for three consecutive years.
As the core model in what is now a full SX4 lineup that spans everything from sedans to five-doors and both FWD and AWD models, the five-door SX4 Crossover enters 2010 with a host of upgrades, beginning with a revised front fascia and extending to numerous enhancements under the hood, visual updates to the exterior and numerous refinements inside. This exterior/interior update makes the SX4 Crossover that much better for enjoying the tactile driving experience. As with all retail 2010 Suzuki automobiles and light trucks, the SX4 Crossover is backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
Exterior
Outside, SX4 Crossover prospects will note a revised grille and wheel design. What remains is an architecture which fully separates the SX4 Crossover from other compacts - or more conventional crossovers - at anything close to its price point. An expansive greenhouse contributes to a spacious, cargo-hauling interior, while muscular wheel arches and standard fender flares provide the Crossover with a 'planted' stance. And for Suzuki's 'confident explorer' target customer, sports accessories include crossbars and roof rack, with kayak, surfboard, snowboard and bicycle attachments.
Interior
Inside, passenger comfort and convenience are addressed by an all-new instrument cluster with backlit instruments and integrated driver information. To the driver's right, a revised center stack includes the audio system and available automatic HVAC controls, aluminum-look accents, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 and XM Satellite Radio(R) compatibility and a driver's information center. Integrated navigation, made standard on the 2009 SX4 Crossover, continues for the 2010 model year - with notable enhancements available: Airline arrival and departures, movie times, Bluetooth text display, 3D graphics, lane guidance and Doppler weather maps. In addition, the folding rear seats and available concealed storage behind those seats provide a completely flat load surface, which is perfect for the SX4 Crossover's activity-oriented consumer target.
The SX4 Crossover's efficiently designed interior provides accommodations for five, with generous front and rear legroom and headroom. Wide door openings allow easy ingress, and raised theater-style seating enhances the roomy, airy feeling for rear seat passengers. New for 2010 is a height-adjustable driver's seat, enhancing the driving experience - and sight lines - for an even wider range of activity-oriented consumers.
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; there, displacements of 1.6-1.8 liters are more often the norm. With this newest iteration, however, Suzuki utilizes an all-new 2.0-liter engine, boasting five percent more horsepower and 4 lb.-ft. of additional torque, while delivering - in the EPA cycle - 30 highway miles per gallon. This, in a larger 2.4-liter displacement, is the same engine architecture as found under the hood of the 2010 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. 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 Crossover's front (or all) wheels is the choice of a six-speed manual or an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). With the addition of an extra cog, the SX4 Crossover driver benefits from six degrees of separation, especially when placing the Suzuki in its competitive segment. 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, optimizing the driving experience while minimizing the SX4 Crossover's thirst.
For added urban convenience, the new CVT optimizes - via console-mounted gear selector or paddle shifters - both performance and efficiency, better maintaining the engine's rpm 'sweet spot' over a wide range of both in-town and freeway driving.
Dynamic Handling
The SX4 Crossover's suspension retains MacPherson struts in the front, with a rear torsion beam in the back. In 2010, Crossover customers continue to have a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the vehicle's advanced and effective three-mode Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (i-AWD) system costing a fraction of what an AWD system typically adds to the MSRP, enhancing the Crossover's value without distorting the window sticker.
Built for Safety
Active class-leading safety features in the SX4 Crossover include the newly standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP(R)) with traction control, daytime running lights, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system and electronic brake-force distribution and a tire pressure monitoring system. Together with the traction control system, ESP helps ensure vehicle stability when cornering, accelerating, driving on slippery road conditions or conducting emergency maneuvers.
Passive safety starts with a reinforced body offering front and rear crumple zones designed to help absorb impact energy. Six 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- and outboard rear-seat passengers. Front three-point seatbelts with pretensioners integrate force limiters.
The SX4 Crossover also is equipped with ISO FIX-compliant child seat anchors and the LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children). Together, all of this safety equipment makes the SX4 Crossover one of the best-equipped vehicles in its class with respect to safety.
Trim Levels and Packages
The SX4 Crossover is one of the best-equipped vehicles in the segment, inviting comparison with small SUVs and CUVs costing far more. Standard features include power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; AM/FM/CD/MP3 XM Satellite Radio(R)-compatible audio system; tilt steering wheel; trip computer; fender flares; and roof rails.
The Technology package adds an integrated Navigation system, hands-free Bluetooth calling capability with on-screen text display, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with steering-wheel-integrated audio and cruise controls.
The Touring package (available on AWD models only) adds MSN enabled enhancements to the navigation system to include real-time traffic, weather forecasts, movie times, lowest gas price finder, stock updates, headline news, local entertainment finder and airline arrival/departure times. Additional interior enhancements include automatic climate control, SmartPass(TM) keyless entry and start system, heated side mirrors, six-disc in-dash CD changer and premium audio system with nine speakers (including subwoofer) and heated front seats, a rarity among compacts. Alloy wheels, fog lamps and aluminum color roof rails distinguish the Touring package's exterior.
Both the standard and optional audio systems are XM Satellite Radio-capable, and an accessory iPod(R) 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.
With more consumers interested in emphasizing the 'fun' in 'functionality', Suzuki expects the improvements to the SX4 Crossover to further build on the SX4's already-broad appeal. With these enhancements, Suzuki's volume leader looks to turn up the volume, expanding the CUV segment to even more of those living large while driving small.