Topic: '07 Suzuki SX4

[wing]

Yes, yet the article mentions it to be similar to a yaris.....

[avtoller]

"small-on-the-outside, big-and-practical-on-the-inside entries such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Verso and Toyota Yaris."

I think the author was simply trying to say that it is space efficient. The Verso is Aerio sized. 

[Shnak]

It seems to be taller than the Yaris and Aveo... So the legroom in the rear seats should better than in the Yaris and Aveo. We'll see, it seems like an interesting vehicle.

[Shnak]

But why is this in the Truck/SUV section when it's competing against the Yaris and Aveo?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I posted it here b/c I think you'll see more vehicles positioned as crossover / mini SUVs in the near future. AWD and raised suspension / tall body, with a lower price than a Tucson. It would probably peak the interest of those looking at a Tucson or CR-V, where they can't stretch their pocketbook that far.

Just a thought. It's car-based... just like most SUVs these days.

[eax]

It won't compete against the Yaris and Aveo.  PERIOD.  No where near, the reference in the article referred simply to the fact that like the Yaris, it's interior is big and practical.  It will be a class breaker, kinda in a segment on it's own.  It will provide the utility of a small SUV like a Tuscon, but the fuel economy/ride/handling of a compact car.   IT IS LARGER THAN A COMPACT, let alone a subcompact, but smaller than an SUV.  The dimesions are as follows:

wheelbase 98.4 in
width 69.1 in
length 162.8 in
height 63.2 in

sooo, comparing it...

MATRIX would have the following dimensions:
wheelbase 102.4
width 69.9
length 171.3
height 60.6

YARIS 5dr
wheelbase 96.9
width 66.7
height 60
length 150.6

TUSCON
wheelbase 103.5
width 70.7
height 68.1
length 170.3

So as you can see it slots in between the Tuscon and the Matrix in terms of dimensions.  It looks like an SUV as opposed to a car without question.  It will have good ground clearance, kinda like how a Forester or Outback sits higher...

[Shnak]

Yikes... shorter and taller than a Matrix... It will be interesting to see how it drives at high speed with some side winds...

What's the difference in ground clearance between the Matrix and the SX4? If they're close to one another, I'm not quite sure why the SX4 should be considered a compact SUV while the Matrix is considered a small hatch or whatever.

And from specs, I wouldn't quite say that the SX4 is larger than a compact as the Matrix is longer and wider... I'm also afraid that the 8-9" difference in length between the Matrix and SX4 will result in less cargo space in the SX4... We'll see. I can't wait to see it in a showroom, it is definitely an interesting vehicle!

[marineboy]

Well now that I see the dimensions of the Yaris, I don't know why the reviewer was comparing them.

If you compare it to the Aerio SX though:

Aerio: Length: 166.5         SX4: 162.8
         width:    67.7                   69.1
         Height:   61.0                   63.2
   Wheelbase:   97.6                   98.4

The Sx4 is shorter but taller and wider with a slightly longer wheel base. The problem is the Aerio has a 2.3L 155 hp engine while the SX4 makes do with a 147 hp 2.0L engine.

[Shnak]

well it depends on ground clearance... if the SX4 is 3" higher from the ground, that means it has roughly the same cabin height than the Aerio.

I'm a bit afraid about cargo room though... the Aerio's rear cargo room is limited compared to a Matrix (I thought anyways), and I hope they configured the SX4 differently so that it has more usable cargo room.

Anyone knows when we can expect the SX4 in showrooms? Probably not before mid-2006, right?

[eax]

The SX4 will arrive in showrooms for the summer.  The smaller displacement engine, with slightly less hp will significantly improve gas milage which has been somewhat a hiderance on sales of the higher HP engine.  Canadian's in their compacts prefer slightly less hp with slightly better fuel milage. 

[Shnak]

The SX4 will arrive in showrooms for the summer.  The smaller displacement engine, with slightly less hp will significantly improve gas milage which has been somewhat a hiderance on sales of the higher HP engine.  Canadian's in their compacts prefer slightly less hp with slightly better fuel milage. 

Let's hope it can move out of its own way... the Aerio with the 2.3L isn't a rocket by any means...I wonder if the SX4 with the smaller (less torquey) engine will be at least as good as the Aerio...

[eax]

an sx aerio does 0-100 in about 7.5-8sec with a 5spd, 9.4 with the auto, and about 11 with Auto/AWD.  That is certainly very competive in the segment, the problem is the gearing in the 4spd trying to maximize fuel economy, retard's power between shifts.  Drive a 5spd and you'll see what I mean.  The problem is most test the Auto AWD, with the more basic Viscous coupling system, lots of power loss. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

So are most sales expected to be FWD?

I think the main buying draw for this will be the AWD. For Suzuki to believe otherwise I think is misjudging the market, although I know the volume of Aerio sales are FWD. Think this is more to do with pricing though - $24Gs + is far too much in comparison to a Tucson. The SX4 needs to hit a sub-$20G base price WITH AWD to make impact. What are the odds of that happening? 

[eax]

It will only come with the 3 mode system in Canada and as with the Grand Vitara, pricing will be extremely agressive...Suzuki is well aware of what needs to be done to gain share in Canada, price/value is the goal...the whole vehicle is new technology. Engine, transmission, no carry over from the Aerio...

[eax]

opps, sorry, sounds like the base model's will be FWD. The AWD will likely be available from mid trim line on up to full load.  I would imagine that most will opt for the system as it selectable obviously that's the number the vehicle has to hit though, equipped like a Tuscon base but with AWD for under 20G...the 2004 Aerio base model AWD's listed at 20495, yet after cash purchase rebates were about 17G...the previous generation GV with leather was like 31G when it came out, the new one, with all the additional technology is $29995 so...

[wing]

AWD really is making leaps and bounds recently, almost every manufacturer is offering an AWD model.  This should be an interesting vehicle.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

opps, sorry, sounds like the base model's will be FWD. The AWD will likely be available from mid trim line on up to full load.  I would imagine that most will opt for the system as it selectable obviously that's the number the vehicle has to hit though, equipped like a Tuscon base but with AWD for under 20G...the 2004 Aerio base model AWD's listed at 20495, yet after cash purchase rebates were about 17G...the previous generation GV with leather was like 31G when it came out, the new one, with all the additional technology is $29995 so...

I read your earlier comment wrong - you were relaying acceleration times for the AERIO and I thought you were giving info on the new SX4 - hence my comment about FWD. It makes sense to have the FWD version from a lower price / sales lead perspective, but the real value will be the AWD model.

I've been looking at Aerio AWD penetration and think it's much lower now than before but didn't know why. You just answered it for me - compared to '04 there's half the number of Aerio models available (maybe less dramatic with special editions, but still a big cut) and the AWD models start at much higher price points now (there's also no AWD sedan). With the skirts, I really didn't mind the GLX sedan. The AWD was the show stopper for Suzuki at that price... seems strange from where I'm sitting to think otherwise.