Suzuki S-Cross

The Suzuki SX4 is a subcompact car and crossover produced by Japanese automaker Suzuki since 2006. A successor of the Aerio tall hatchback and sedan, the first-generation model was available as a hatchback and sedan, with the former available in both front and four-wheel drive and as a rebadged version in Europe called the Fiat Sedici.

In 2013, the second generation was launched, called Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (or Suzuki S-Cross in India)— now exclusively a subcompact crossover SUV. The first- and second-generation SX4s sold alongside one another until 2014. The SX4 sedan was replaced with the Suzuki Ciaz. The third-generation model was introduced in 2021 as a heavily modified version of the previous model, and only produced in Hungary for the European market. For the Indian market, the S-Cross was replaced by the taller Grand Vitara.

The SX4 is an abbreviation of "Sports X-over 4 Seasons". The SX4 designation was previously used by American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1981 to 1983 for a sporty liftback model in its line of all-wheel-drive AMC Eagle passenger cars.

First generation (GY/EY/RW; 2006)

The SX4 continues Suzuki's focus on mini SUVs and subcompact SUVs, like Jimny/SJ, and Vitara/Escudo. The car was created as a result of a joint development agreement between Suzuki and Fiat signed in April 2003. It was introduced in Japan on 1 December 2005, and internationally at the 76th Geneva Motor Show in March 2006. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio, the SX4 replaces the Aerio (Liana in some markets). Although originally intended solely for Europe, the SX4 is sold in most of Suzuki's international markets. Especially as a 4WD hatchback, the SX4 occupies a specific market niche of mini SUVs. Depending on the market, it was available with petrol engines in the 1.0 to 2.0 L range, and Fiat/Peugeot's 1.3 to 2.0 L diesels.

Based on the Suzuki Swift, it was manufactured at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary; Manesar, India; Bekasi, Indonesia; Chongqing, China and Sagara, Japan. Production in Hungary was expected to be 60,000 units per year — two thirds to be sold by Suzuki and one third by Fiat, badged as the Sedici.

The SX4 Crossover had also been sold in Indonesia since 2007. Earlier models were directly imported from Japan and marketed as the SX4 X-Over. However, locally assembled versions were introduced a year later due to higher market demand. The locally assembled versions were then equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and a multi-information display. The Indonesian produced SX4 was also exported to Thailand. The SX4 sedan was also sold in Indonesia as the Suzuki Neo Baleno from 2008 until 2011.

Engines included the 1.5 L gasoline version that was identical to the one used in the Swift, a 1.6 L gasoline (with VVT) with maximum output of (which powers the SX4 Sedan sold in India by Maruti), the 1.6 L VVT version also used in the new Grand Vitara, and a , 1.9 L DDIS — along with the Fiat diesel engine with a maximum output of and maximum torque of .

The SX4 was initially released as a five-door hatchback body style, marketed as the SX4 Crossover. With boot space of 300 liters (270 liters VDA) and 60:40 split fold rear seats, they have a tumble/roll configuration that allows for a flat load area up to a maximum volume of 1045 liters (625 liters VDA).

The sedan model, marketed as the SX4 Sport, debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show and was released in Japan, India and a few Eastern European markets. It replaced the Suzuki Aerio sedan and also the Daewoo-based Suzuki Forenza sedan and station wagon.

File:Suzuki SX4 GLS - Flickr - mick - Lumix.jpg, Suzuki SX4 crossover (UK, pre-facelift)
File:2007 Suzuki SX4 (GYB) 4WD hatchback (2015-07-09) 02.jpg, Rear view of Suzuki SX4 crossover (Australia)
File:Suzuki SX4 20090801 rear.JPG, European and facelifted Taiwanese market SX4 tail lights
File:SUZUKI SX４ SEDAN YC11S 2015 10 001.JPG, Pre-facelift Suzuki SX4 sedan with projector headlights (Japan)
File:2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan 1.6 (rear).jpg, Rear view of Suzuki SX4 sedan (Europe)
File:Suzuki SX4 innen.JPG, Interior

Yearly history

;2007
The North American market model arrived in 2006 for the 2007 model year, as Suzuki's entry-level AWD vehicle. Differences from the European model are the offering of AWD as standard (2WD Version available in Canada, Europe, Israel, and China while AWD is optional in Canada) and only with the 2.0 L ''J20A'' I4 gasoline engine with a timing chain instead of a timing belt. The cars were only available with a 4 speed Aisin 60-40LE automatic transmission in 2007.

In 2007, Suzuki Auto posted the best year end close in company history, with SX4 sales a primary contributor to this success.

;2008
The United States base price (model year 2008) for the five-door hatchback (marketed as the SX4 Crossover) included "intelligent" All Wheel Drive (iAWD), power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, CD player with MP3 capability, and keyless entry. Available were anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, fog lights, and an advanced key in a Touring package. Suzuki sold nearly 75000 Suzuki SX4s and Fiat Sedicis in Europe in 2008. This was the second best-selling car in Hungary in 2008, after the Suzuki Swift.

Suzuki Indonesia launched the Suzuki SX4 X-Road, a base variant of the SX4 in Indonesia. This version uses rear drum brakes (disc on non CBU X-Over), unique wheels, a body kit, and no rear spoiler.

;2009
The model year of 2009 saw SX4 sedans with standard GPS navigation systems manufactured by Garmin with Bluetooth, weather, and a gas station locator.

The United States sedan of the SX4 (marketed as the SX4 Sport) is only available in front-wheel drive (FWD). Except for the absence of iAWD, the option packages for the SX4 Sport closely matched those available for the SX4 Crossover. The sedan's boot has 515 liters of cargo capacity.

Both the 1.6 L FWD hatchback and 1.6 L FWD sedan models available in Israel (four speed automatic only) and Malaysia, are fully imported from Japan.

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 (for instance, until the latter part of the model year of 2008, the United States SX4 Crossover was only available with iAWD). The AWD models use an electronically controlled iAWD three-mode four wheel drive system, user-selectable between front-wheel drive 2WD mode, automatic AWD AUTO mode, and AWD LOCK 50:50 split permanent AWD LOCK mode which can only be used up to , after that it switches to AWD AUTO mode.

;2010
The 2010 SX4 received changes to the grille, instrument cluster, climate controls, and door trim, as well as a restructured cargo hold, removing the fold-up rear seats in favor of an 'arena seating' raised rear seat layout. Non-fleet all-wheel-drive models added new rear skid plates. They were also upgraded with front (ventilated) and rear (solid) disc brakes, six airbags (front, side and curtain), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cruise control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) - optional in 1.6 L models.

A SportBack model offered a lowered sport tuned suspension, body kit, rear spoiler, and comes without a roof rack.

Since the 2010 model year, the SX4 five-door hatchback is available with a 1.6 L DOHC VVT engine, 2.0 L DOHC VVT engine J20B (different from the J20A used in 2007 to 2009; and thus not interchangeable) and 2.0 L DDiS diesel engine (16 valve, with torque) on the AWD version.

The 1.6 L DOHC VVT engine revised to the new CO₂ emission control standards Euro 5 regulations. Engine power was increased from 107 to 120 bhp. The United States received a new 2.0 L engine (J20B) with output increased from 143 to 150 bhp and lower fuel consumption.

The car is available with either a new six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission for 1.6 L engined cars. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters comes with a 2.0 L inline-four engine and is rated at 6000 rpm. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the same engine is rated at 6200 rpm.

Indonesian market SX4 received updates, including a new speedometer, a redesigned dashboard, new road wheels, grille design, mid-bass speaker, HID projector headlamps, and AUX port on the head unit. The X-Road variant was discontinued due to low sales.

File:2012 Suzuki SX4 (GYB MY11) S 4WD hatchback (2015-07-24) 01.jpg, First facelift Suzuki SX4 crossover (Australia)
File:Suzuki SX4 style (Facelift) – Frontansicht, 30. Oktober 2011, Wuppertal.jpg, Facelift European market Suzuki SX4 crossover
File:Suzuki SX4 1.6 GLX Sport 2013.jpg, Second facelift Suzuki SX4 hatchback (Chile)
File:2016 Chang'an-Suzuki SX4 (facelift), front 8.4.18.jpg, Facelift Suzuki SX4 hatchback (China)
File:2016 Chang'an-Suzuki SX4 (facelift), rear 8.4.18.jpg, Facelift Suzuki SX4 hatchback (China)
File:Suzuki SX4 sedan facelift II China 2015-04-06.jpg, Facelift Suzuki SX4 sedan (China)
File:2015 Chang'an-Suzuki SX4 sedan (facelift), rear 8.4.18.jpg, Facelift Suzuki SX4 sedan (China)

;2012
Suzuki Indonesia launched a new variant, named RC1. The SX-4 RC1 included more accessories, such as new bumpers, a rear upper spoiler, twin mufflers, 17-inch wheels, and LED headlamps.

Stability control and rear disc brakes became standard on all US models including FWD models (previously was standard only on AWD models).

Second facelift occurred with new front bumper and wider grille.

;2013
Navigation was added as an optional feature on US models and the front fascia was redesigned. This was the last model year for US and Canada sales.

;2014
Last model year for this generation in most other markets except for China.

Engines

* i-AWD=Intelligent All Wheel Drive System

Maruti Suzuki version

In 2007, Maruti Suzuki launched the Indian version of the SX4 sedan with minor cosmetic differences compared to the models assembled and marketed elsewhere.

The cars were initially equipped with the 1.6 L gasoline engine, without VVT, with at 5,600 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. It was later updated to the 1.6 L engine with VVT.

Maruti introduced a compressed natural gas (CNG) factory fitted kit in August 2010.

In February 2011, a diesel version was introduced. It uses the Fiat 1.3 L ( DDiS) engine with variable geometry turbo.

SX4-FCV

An experimental Suzuki concept car using alternative power includes an 80 kW hydrogen fuel cell and 68 kW electric motor. The car has top speed of with 250 km range. The car was unveiled in 2008 Hokkaido Tōyako summit, and later in 2008 Paris International Motor Show.

Suzuki SX4 WRC

At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Suzuki announced it would enter the FIA World Rally Championship, with the factory-backed Suzuki World Rally Team in the World Rally Car category in 2007, using the Suzuki SX4 WRC.

Safety

The SX4 achieved four stars safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2006.

Second generation (JY; 2013)

At the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, Suzuki unveiled S-Cross Concept, a futuristic study of a subcompact crossover, as introduction of an upcoming production model. At that time, Suzuki announced that the S-Cross would be a new model, not a replacement for SX4, whose production was scheduled to continue.

The new SX4 S-Cross design, loosely based on the S-Cross concept, was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Compared to its predecessor it grew in all directions, being long, wide and tall. The wheelbase measures , more than the earlier model. These dimensions provided additional interior and boot space, compared with liters. The SX4 S-Cross is built at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary. Production of the old SX4 was continued in parallel until 2015 in Japan and India.

All SX4 S-Cross models get FWD as standard with optional AWD dubbed as "AllGrip". It has four selectable driving modes and is claimed to send torque to the rear wheels before a loss in traction can occur.

The European model went on sale in the autumn of 2013. Early models include choice of 1.6 L ''M16A'' petrol engine from previous generation or new '' Fiat Multijet'' 1.6 L turbodiesel engine, mated with 5- or 6-speed manual (all engines) or CVT (petrol only) transmission. The new model is Suzuki only, and Fiat replaced the Sedici with the new 500X.

The SX4 S-Cross is not available in the United States and Canada, since Suzuki has withdrawn from these markets, but it is offered in Brazil and Mexico. It has been launched in India in September 2015, as the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross via NEXA outlets only with the 1.3 L ''DDiS 200'' and 1.6 L ''DDiS 320'' Fiat's turbodiesel engines, mated with 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions respectively.

In June 2015, the European market S-Cross received new hydraulically controlled clutches and gear changes 6-speed twin clutch automated-manual transmission, dubbed as "Twin Clutch System by Suzuki (TCSS)". It is only available for the 1.6 L DDiS turbo-diesel engine with all-wheel-drive "AllGrip" model.

For the Indonesian market, the SX4 S-Cross was launched at the 24th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 11 August 2016, being fully imported from India. Unique for this market, the car is powered by 1.5-litre ''M15A'' petrol engine from the previous generation SX4 to avoid the higher tax imposed to vehicles with engine capacity more than 1500 cc (lifted in late 2021). The engine is mated to either 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. In terms of styling and features, the car is almost identical to Indian market S-Cross.

File:2013-2016 Suzuki SX4 (JY) GL wagon (2018-08-06) 02.jpg, SX4 S-Cross GL (Australia; pre-facelift)
File:2017 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (Indonesia) front view.jpg, Indian and Indonesian styling (pre-facelift)
File:Suzuki SX4 S-Cross - wnętrze (MSP16).jpg, Interior

Facelift

The SX4 S-Cross design was updated in September 2016 with numerous improvements. The car received a new front end design, tail lights, alloy wheels with wider 10 mm tires and more efficient headlights, the position lamps now have energy-saving LEDs and function as daytime running lights. The interior design utilizes an updated soft-touch dashboard pad, framing highlights for the center panel, and newly designed seat fabric.

Brand new direct injection turbocharged "Boosterjet" engine series were also introduced. The inline-three 1.0 L ''K10C'' rated at / and inline-four 1.4 L ''K14C'' rated at / . It is shared with the Vitara and Swift. The new 1.4 L turbo engine received slightly different ancillaries and ECU and complied with the Euro 6 emission standards. During development, Suzuki's engineers virtually eliminated the typical delay in turbo power delivery by installing the specially developed compact turbocharger attached directly to the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting. This design ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss through to the turbo unit. The turbocharger has a boost pressure of 1.1 Bar. The 1.0 L engine is mated to a 5-speed manual as standard, 6-speed manual for 1.4 L, while the 6-speed automatic transmission is also available both engines. For most market outside Europe, the 1.6 L petrol engine is still available instead of the new 1.0 L "Boosterjet" turbo engine for the lower model. It is only mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, replacing both 5-speed manual and CVT transmissions.

The facelifted S-Cross was launched in August 2017 in Ecuador. It was offered through Chevrolet, but still marketed with Suzuki's badges. Chevrolet stopped offering S-Cross when Suzuki re-enter Ecuadorian market in August 2021.

Both petrol and diesel engines in Europe were discontinued in April 2020 and replaced with a turbocharged 1.4 L ''K14D'' "Boosterjet SHVS" mild hybrid engine due the implementation of Europe 6d emission standard. The engine received dual VVT system, new design fuel injectors and a higher pressure fuel pump. It is now rated at / . The mild hybrid system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning. The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol engine during vehicle take off. This system adds / .

The facelifted version of the SX4 S-Cross was launched in India on 28 September 2017. The 1.6 L ''DDiS 320'' turbo-diesel engine was not available for the facelifted model and only available in a mild hybrid setup, with a 48V belted alternator-starter unit coupled to the 1.3 L ''DDiS 200'' turbodiesel engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. Due to BS6 norms being implemented since 1 April 2020, the diesel was discontinued. A petrol model was introduced in August 2020 with a 1.5 L ''K15B'' engine with 12V mild hybrid and an option of a 4-speed automatic transmission. In 2017, the Indian S-Cross contains over 95% local parts.

File:2018 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross SZ5 DDIS Allgrip 1.6 Front.jpg, SX4 S-Cross SZ5 DDIS (UK; facelift)
File:2018 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross SZ5 DDIS Allgrip 1.6 Rear.jpg, SX4 S-Cross SZ5 DDIS (UK; facelift)

Safety

The SX4 S-Cross achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was first released in 2013. The same result was also issued by ANCAP in 2013 and ASEAN NCAP in 2015.

Third generation (2021)

Suzuki unveiled third generation SX4 S-Cross via online on 25 November 2021. It is continued to be manufactured by Magyar Suzuki in Hungary for European market and also exported to Asia, Oceania and Latin America. It was designed by Suzuki Italia Design Center in Turin.

The car is heavily based on the previous generation model, with major makeover on the exterior with a new front and rear-end design. In the interior, it received an updated dashboard design, a gauge cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display from Vitara and either a 7 or 9-inch floating design touchscreen infotainment system. The driver assistance system is also upgraded with additional 360 degrees view camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The exterior dimensions and interior space remain exactly the same as the previous generation.

File:Suzuki SX4 (3rd generation) 1X7A0430.jpg, Rear view
File:2022 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross AllGrip Hybrid Interior.jpg, Interior

Powertrain

The turbocharged 1.4-litre direct injection engine with belt-driven 48V Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) mild hybrid system is also carried over from the previous model for European market. The engine rated at and of torque, the electric motor produces and of torque. It is paired with either 6-speed manual or automatic transmission and available for both front-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations. Strong hybrid version with Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and automated manual transmission "Auto Gear Shift (AGS)" that seen in 2022 Vitara/Escudo Hybrid is expected to come in summer 2022. The old conventional 1.4-litre turbocharged engine from previous generation is retained for markets outside Europe.

The combined fuel consumption for the 1.4-litre turbo mild hybrid engine is claimed more economical than its predecessor and competitors. The car achieved fuel economy rating between depending on drive layout and transmission option, according to WLTP test.

Sales

SX4

SX4 S-Cross

References

External links

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