What is it?
2007 Suzuki SX4
What's special about it?
Suzuki is betting that Americans won't mind driving a bite-size car if they can sit up high and plow the little bugger through a snowstorm. When it goes on sale in September 2006, the 2007 Suzuki SX4 will be among the smallest SUVs on the U.S. market. Pricing will range from $15,000 to $18,000.
Based on the recently redesigned Swift hatchback, a subcompact well received in Europe and Japan, the SX4 is 163.9 inches long and 2.5 inches shorter than Suzuki's Aerio. Under the hood, there's an all-aluminum 2.0-liter inline four rated at an estimated 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.
More interesting is the Suzuki SX4's standard all-wheel-drive system. Called i-AWD, the system offers three modes: There's a front-wheel-drive (2WD) mode for maximum fuel economy on dry pavement; an automatic all-wheel-drive mode, in which up to 50 percent of engine power can be diverted to the rear wheels in response to slippage; and an AWD Lock mode that locks the center differential into a 50/50 front/rear power split for driving in mud and snow. That's more flexibility than you get on any other car-based compact SUV.
"The SX4 is truly the cross-trainer of compacts," Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and public relations for American Suzuki, quipped at today's New York auto show press conference.
Because the SX4 only weighs 2,900 pounds, we expect adequate acceleration. Fuel economy should come in at about 24 mpg city and about 29 mpg on the highway. Suspension consists of a mundane independent front strut/rear torsion-beam setup, but 16-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel antilock disc brakes will be standard.
Inside, the Suzuki SX4 offers a clean but unremarkable two-tone design, average materials quality and a decent amount of room for four adults. The car on display at the show had leather upholstery, but we were told only cloth seating would be available on production models.
There's a usable cargo hold behind the rear seats, and it looks like more space than Suzuki's 9.5-cubic-foot estimate. Fold the seats and you'll have an even 22. A full complement of side airbags is standard, and you'll find features like stability control and automatic climate control on the options list.
What's Edmunds' take?
It may be the smallest vehicle in the Suzuki lineup, but to us, the 2007 SX4 is the most interesting. With its flexible all-wheel-drive system, generous equipment list and convincingly low price, this could be the SUV to get if you're looking for a space-efficient package that doesn't sacrifice capability or content. Plus, Suzuki is working on a turbocharged, 320-hp version of the SX4 for WRC racing. — Erin Riches
2007 Suzuki SX4
What's special about it?
Suzuki is betting that Americans won't mind driving a bite-size car if they can sit up high and plow the little bugger through a snowstorm. When it goes on sale in September 2006, the 2007 Suzuki SX4 will be among the smallest SUVs on the U.S. market. Pricing will range from $15,000 to $18,000.
Based on the recently redesigned Swift hatchback, a subcompact well received in Europe and Japan, the SX4 is 163.9 inches long and 2.5 inches shorter than Suzuki's Aerio. Under the hood, there's an all-aluminum 2.0-liter inline four rated at an estimated 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.
More interesting is the Suzuki SX4's standard all-wheel-drive system. Called i-AWD, the system offers three modes: There's a front-wheel-drive (2WD) mode for maximum fuel economy on dry pavement; an automatic all-wheel-drive mode, in which up to 50 percent of engine power can be diverted to the rear wheels in response to slippage; and an AWD Lock mode that locks the center differential into a 50/50 front/rear power split for driving in mud and snow. That's more flexibility than you get on any other car-based compact SUV.
"The SX4 is truly the cross-trainer of compacts," Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and public relations for American Suzuki, quipped at today's New York auto show press conference.
Because the SX4 only weighs 2,900 pounds, we expect adequate acceleration. Fuel economy should come in at about 24 mpg city and about 29 mpg on the highway. Suspension consists of a mundane independent front strut/rear torsion-beam setup, but 16-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel antilock disc brakes will be standard.
Inside, the Suzuki SX4 offers a clean but unremarkable two-tone design, average materials quality and a decent amount of room for four adults. The car on display at the show had leather upholstery, but we were told only cloth seating would be available on production models.
There's a usable cargo hold behind the rear seats, and it looks like more space than Suzuki's 9.5-cubic-foot estimate. Fold the seats and you'll have an even 22. A full complement of side airbags is standard, and you'll find features like stability control and automatic climate control on the options list.
What's Edmunds' take?
It may be the smallest vehicle in the Suzuki lineup, but to us, the 2007 SX4 is the most interesting. With its flexible all-wheel-drive system, generous equipment list and convincingly low price, this could be the SUV to get if you're looking for a space-efficient package that doesn't sacrifice capability or content. Plus, Suzuki is working on a turbocharged, 320-hp version of the SX4 for WRC racing. — Erin Riches
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