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. In Europe, it was sold alongside a rebadged version 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 was 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 the 1981 through 1983 model years for a sporty liftback model in its line of all-wheel-drive AMC Eagle passenger cars. While the "S-Cross" suffix is an abbreviation of Smart Crossover.
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 a 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 L (270 L 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 L (625 L 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.
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 model was the five-door hatchback (marketed as the SX4 Crossover) and 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 75,000 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. This version uses rear drum brakes (disc on non-CBU X-Over), unique wheels, a body kit, and no rear spoiler.
2009 The 2009 model year 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 began sale in Malaysia, being 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, and a rear spoiler, but does include 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 from 2007 through 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 . The U.S.-market cars received a new 2.0 L engine (J20B) with output increased from , and features 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.
The Indonesian-market SX4 received updates, including a new speedometer, a redesigned dashboard, new road wheels, grille design, mid-bass speaker, HID projector headlamps, and an AUX port on the head unit. The X-Road variant was discontinued due to low sales.
2012 Suzuki Indonesia launched a new variant, named RC1. The SX4 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).
The second facelift occurred with a new front bumper and a 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 Model Displacement Cylinder Power Torque Top speed Consumption YearsPetrol engines 1.5 VVT 2WD 4 at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm 2006–2012 1.6 2WD 4 at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm 2006–2009 1.6 i-AWD 2006–2009 1.6 VVT 2WD 4 at 6000 rpm at 4400 rpm 2009–2014 1.6 VVT i-AWD 2009–20141.8 VVT 2WD4 at 6200 rpm at 4000 rpm2009–2012 China only2.0 2WD/iAWD 4 at 5870 rpm at 3500 rpm -2007-2009 2.0 VVT 2WD at 6200 rpm at 4000 rpm 2010–2014 2.0 VVT i-AWD 2010–2014 Diesel engines 1.6 DDiS 2WD 4 at 4000 rpm at 1750 rpm 2007–2008 1.9 DDiS 2WD 4 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 3500 rpm at 2000 rpm 2006–2009 1.9 DDiS i-AWD 2006–2009 2.0 DDiS 2WD 4 at 4000 rpm at 1500 rpm 2009–2014 2.0 DDiS i-AWD 2009–2014 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.
Model Displacement Cylinder Power Torque Top speed Consumption YearsPetrol engine 1.6 VVT 2WD 4 at 5600 rpmCNG mode: at 5600 rpm at 4100 rpmCNG mode: at 4000 rpm CNG mode: CNG mode: 4.8 kg/100 km (21 km/kg; 6 mi/lb) since 2008CNG kit: since 2010Diesel engine 1.3 DDiS 2WD 4 at 4000 rpm at 1750 rpm since 2011
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 a 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)
Suzuki unveiled the S-Cross Concept at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, a version of a subcompact crossover as an introduction for 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.
A 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 , or 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 2014 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.