SUZUKIPHILE CENTRAL

If you've liked and looked at the Suzuki SX4 crossover in the past, perhaps back when it was the only SX4 model, you might have noticed less than stellar fuel economy for a car of its size.  "SX4" stands for Sport Crossover 4WD (or something very much like that).  It was intended, first and foremost when it debuted, as a sporty small crossover.  Remember, at the time Suzuki still had a FWD, inexpensive hatchback in the Suzuki Reno, that's being phased out this model year.  Onwards and into 2009 Suzuki will not have the Reno for someone looking for a cheap and relatively fuel efficient hatchback.  The i-AWD system is a capable and rugged system for light off-road use, gravel roads, snow and the like.  But people in the city often have no use for such an AWD system, and the smallest, lowest priced Suzuki is something people expect to get decent fuel economy.

Enter the 2WD SX4.  Not only will you save on the sticker price by passing on the i-AWD, but you'll get the cool looks and functionality of the hatchback with better FWD fuel economy of 22 city / 30 highway.

No, it's not at the upper end of fuel economy like gas-sippers such as the Honda Fit or Chevy Aveo.  But it was never intended to be a featherweight "econobox" and a test drive will confirm the solid feel and connection to the road of the SX4 that is more like a MINI than a Fit.

In fact, the FWD SX4 hatchback might be considered a sort of MINI competitor.  And at nearly half the price with Navigation standard, perhaps some MINI buyers will consider the Suzuki SX4 hatch/crossover as a less expensive alternative.

Read more about the SX4 here: http://www.suzukiauto.com/sx4_crossover/

I'm a long-time fan of the Suzuki WagonR, and I'm hoping that high gas prices will lead to Suzuki offering it here at some future date.  Heck, I'd even settle for a curvy Splash.

But just what has kept the WagonR at the top of the Japanese sales charts for years?  Japan has plenty of Kei car competition, and the Japanese are known to flock from one trend to another.

I'll propose an answer: Box utility.  Freqeunt styling changes with "special editions" and refreshes.  An "always techy" look.

By "box utility", I mean that the WagonR has the same interior shape as a cargo van.  Fold the seats and this makes it useful as a business vehicle as well with great slab sides to advertise on.  The look also appeals to men and women, as women can see it as cute and funky, while men see it as utilitarian and masculine with hard edges, not soft curves like so many other Kei cars.

GM is going to offer a low displacement engine in its Cruze compact with a turbocharger.  A turbocharged WagonR would be a must on U.S. highways, and a perfect fit in sprawling U.S. cities.  Americans are crying out for more fuel efficient vehicles, and the roads are seeing more and more motorcycles and mopeds, despite those vehicles having zero crash protection.  At least the WagonR is safe in a crash by Japanese standards, and that should count for something.

Recently, GM's Bob Lutz asked for a break in U.S. crash testing to allow auto makers to speed more fuel-efficient models to the market.  That's a bandwagon American Suzuki should happily climb onto.

The Scion Xb was a good selling car for Toyota before they rounded off the edges, fattened it up, and killed the fuel economy.  The Suzuki WagonR could capture those old Xb customers who loved the light and nimble feel of the old Xb.

I'll let these photos speak for themselves, though, and here's hoping that Suzuki (or even GM) finds a way to bring us something very much like this to the American market.

See a review for the SX4 Sport By Peter Bohr of The Press-Enterprise HERE, with a video.  Note that he says the SX4 Sedan feels more powerful and the fuel economy during his test averaged 29MPG, slightly better than I would have expected from someone putting the car through its paces.  As far as his concerns go with quality of interior trim, that's not been my experience, but one should be able to check these things before purchasing a new SX4 off of the lot.  Just a snippet of the text:

“Suzuki makes cars? I thought they made motorcycles,” said my neighbor as he plunked himself down in the passenger seat of my SX4 Sport sedan test vehicle.

Yes friends, the venerable Japanese company does indeed make cars, as well as motorcycles and outboard motors for boats. The company has been around since 1909 in its home country. And it established its automotive sales organization in the U.S. more than twenty years ago. Yet, Suzuki automobiles seem to fly well below the radar of many American motorists.

They don’t know what they’re missing -- when it comes to the SX4 Sport sedan, anyway. I’ve driven several Suzuki models in recent years and most have left me yawning. That was true even of SX4 Sport sedan’s soul mate, the SX4 Crossover.

SOURCE + VIDEO