Seen in its final production outfit at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, the new generation of the Suzuki SX4 has a couple of months before it begins arriving in showrooms across Europe in late September, so the Japanese company is freshening up our memory with a new collection of photos and the release of output and fuel economy figures.
While Suzuki held on to the same name as before, the SX4’s more mature replacement moves up a category, from the B- (sub-compact) to the C-segment (compact) eyeing to compete against established mainstream rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, which itself, will soon give its place to a new model.
More than 160mm longer than the outgoing SX4 at 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) long, as well as 10mm wider and 10mm taller, Suzuki’s crossover rides on a 100mm longer wheelbase promising to offer much improved room for passengers as well as their luggage (430 liters vs. 270 liters).
Suzuki’s ‘AllGrip’ all-wheel drive system with four driver-selectable modes named, auto, sport, snow, and lock, will be available in conjunction with two engine options.
The first powerplant is a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel rated for 118hp (120PS) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) of peak torque connected to a 6-speed manual and standard start-stop system returning 4.2 l/100km (56.0 mpg US or 67.3 mpg UK) and 110 g / km of CO2 emissions in the combined test cycle.
The other engine is a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated petrol, also delivering 118hp (120PS), but less than half the torque of the diesel at 156Nm (115 lb-ft). With the standard 5-speed manual (there’s an optional CVT with steering wheel paddles), the 2014 SX4 has a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.4 l/100km, equal to 43.6 mpg US / 52.3 mpg UK.
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