Suzuki trims SX4 range

SUZUKI Australia has tweaked its SX4 range as part of a 2013 model update, ditching the unloved sedan bodystyle while adding extra features and new frontal styling to remaining hatch variants.

Once again available with both front- or all-wheel drive, the revised SX4 small hatch will hit local showrooms later this month with a more muscular front-end design and an unchanged starting price of $18,990 plus on-road costs.

The update will also see entry-level hatch and flagship ‘S’ hatch variants renamed Crossover and Crossover S respectively.

Other cosmetic changes include redesigned alloy wheels, new seat fabrics and mirror-mounted indicators, as well as a pair of new (plasma yellow) and returning (boost blue) paint colours.

Standard features across the range will now include cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity, while both S variants pick up a new touchscreen satellite-navigation unit with voice control in return for a $300 price increase.

As before, all SX4 variants will be powered by a 112kW/190Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).



Suzuki Australia has dropped the manual gearbox from the front-drive Crossover S variant, as a result of slow sales for its previous iteration.

The all-wheel-drive system on more expensive SX4 Crossover models is a variable system that sends most torque to the front wheels in normal conditions but can be automatically re-directed to the rear axle when slippage is detected.

Maximum torque split between front and rear remains 50:50.

Standard features on the entry Crossover variants (both 2WD and 4WD) include electric power steering, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-speaker audio system with auxiliary input and speed-sensing volume control.

S versions add 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry and start, steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles (for the CVT version), digital climate-controlled air-conditioning, front fog lamps, touchscreen satellite navigation with Bluetooth and voice activation, and USB connectivity.

VFACTS sales figures to the end of July for the SX4 – which has been around in current-generation form since early 2007 – show Suzuki has sold 1111 units, up 10.5 per cent over the same period last year.

The revised SX4 is the second model update for Suzuki in as many weeks, with a facelifted Grand Vitara launched in August and headlined by an all-new rear-wheel-drive option.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover pricing (plus on-roads):
SX4 Crossover	$18,990
SX4 Crossover (a)	$20,990
SX4 Crossover AWD	$21,990
SX4 Crossover AWD (a)	$23,990
SX4 Crossover S (a)	$24,290 (+$300)
SX4 Crossover S AWD	$24,490 (+$300)
SX4 Crossover S AWD (a)	$26,490 (+$300)