The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese and Italian automakers Suzuki and Fiat and produced since 2006 to replace the Aerio as its compact car. Although originally intended only for the European market, the car is sold in Japan, India, South America, Australia and North America as well. It was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and is being built at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary, as well as in Japan. An expected 60,000 units will be produced — 2/3 to be sold by Suzuki and 1/3 by Fiat, rebadged as the Sedici. Design was handled by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio.
Base engines are the 1.5-litre gasoline unit identical to the one used in the Swift and the new 1.6-litre VVT seen in the new Grand Vitara and a 1.6-litre DDIS, this one capable of 107 PS (79 kW). However, the sales bulk will be comprised of the Diesel version, using a sourced Fiat Multijet engine, with a maximum output of 120 PS (88 kW) and maximum torque of 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf).
The SX4 was initially released with a five-door hatchback body style. A sedan version debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show and has been released in Japan, India and a few Eastern European markets. It replaced the Suzuki Aerio sedan.
The North-American market version arrived in 2006 as a 2007 model year as Suzuki's entry-level AWD vehicle. Differences from the European model are the offering of AWD as standard (2WD only available in Canada and China AWD is optional in Canada) and a single 2.0 L 143 hp (107 kW) inline-4 gasoline engine. The SX4 is currently the lowest priced, most fuel efficient, and lightest weight AWD vehicle available in the U.S. market .
The US $15,270 base price (model year 2008) for the 5-door hatchback (now marketed in the US as the SX4 Crossover) includes intelligent All Wheel Drive (iAWD), power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, CD player with MP3 capability and keyless entry. Suzuki is also offering Mercedes Benz's ESP system (Anti-lock braking system, Traction Control, and Electronic Stability Control), fog lights, and an advanced key in a Touring package starting at MSRP US $16,870.
The US-market SX4 sedan (marketed as the SX4 Sport) is only available in FWD. Model year 2008 prices range from $14,770 (for the base model) to $16,270 (for the Touring II package). Except for the absence of iAWD, the option packages for the SX4 Sport closely match those available for the SX4 Crossover.
Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the SX4 are available, although not all combinations of drivetrain and body style may be available in a given market (e.g., the US-market SX4 Crossover is only available with iAWD). The AWD models use an electronically controlled blank">iAWD 3-mode four wheel drive system, user-selectable between front wheel drive, automatic AWD, and AWD-LOCK 50:50 split permanent AWD.
The SX4 has been a sales success for Suzuki, especially in North America where 2007's automotive market has been depressed. In 2007 Suzuki Auto posted the best year-end close in company history, with SX4 sales a major contributor to this success.
The SX4 was initially released with a five-door hatchback body style. A sedan version debuted at the 2007 _New York Auto Show and has been released in India. It shall be released in other markets for the 2008 model year. It will replace the Suzuki Aerio sedan in the U.S market.
On September 2006, Suzuki announced that they have intentions to produce a rally-inspired hot hatch version of the SX4 . A 2.0 L turbocharged engine will be used and the power target is at least 150 kW . The car will have permanent AWD and a wide body kit that will be keyed to the SX4 WRC. However the decision for a street rally car will be heavily decided by the outcome in the WRC 2008 . If confirmed the car could see production in 2009 or 2010.
