The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed jointly by Japanese automaker Suzuki and Italian automaker Fiat. In some European markets the SX4 is sold as the Fiat Sedici, and in some Asian markets as the Maruti Suzuki SX4. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign Giugiaro studio and has been produced since 2006.

Although originally intended solely for Europe, the SX4 is sold in most of Suzuki's international markets. It is available in hatchback and, for some markets, sedan body. Especially in the hatchback version, SX4 occupies a specific market niche of Mini SUV crossovers. Depending on the market, it is available with petrol engines in the 1.5–2.0 litre range, and Fiat's 1.3–2.0 litre range diesel engine. The hatchback is also available with four-wheel drive.

SX4 competed in the 2007 and 2008 seasons of the World Rally Championship, within the Suzuki World Rally Team, but the company withdrew from the competition.

SX4 continues Suzuki's tradition of small SUVs, like SJ, Jimny, and Vitara.[3] It was introduced in Japan on December 1, 2005, and internationally at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio, the SX4 (an abbreviation of "Sports X-over 4 all seasons ") replaces the Aerio (Liana in some markets). The "SX/4" designation was previously used by American Motors (AMC) for a sporty liftback model in its all-wheel drive AMC Eagle passenger cars.[4][5]

Although originally intended solely for the European market, the SX4 is sold in most of Suzuki's international markets. It falls within Japanese regulations concerning vehicle external dimensions and engine displacement for a car classified as a "compact". It is manufactured at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary; Manesar, India; and Sagara, Japan.[6] An expected 60,000 units were produced[clarification needed] — 2/3 to be sold by Suzuki and 1/3 by Fiat, badged as the Sedici. The SX4 Crossover has also been sold in Indonesia since 2007. Earlier models were directly imported from Japan (Completely Built-up/CBU), however locally-assembled versions were introduced a year later to meet the higher-than-expected market demand. The locally-assembled versions are then equipped with some new features, including 4-wheel disc brakes and Multi Information Display.

Base engines are the 1.5 L gasoline unit identical to the one used in the Swift, 1.6 L gasoline (with VVT) with maximum output of 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) (which powers Suzuki SX4 Sedan sold in India by Maruti), the new 1.6 L VVT seen in the new Grand Vitara, and a 107 PS (79 kW; 106 hp), 1.9 L DDIS — along with the Fiat diesel engine with a maximum output of 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) and maximum torque of 280 N·m (210 lb·ft).

The SX4 was initially released as a five-door hatchback body style, marketed as the SX4 Crossover. With boot space of 300 litres (270 litres 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 1,045 litres (625 litres VDA).[7]

The Sedan model, marketed as the SX4 Sport, debuted at the 2007 New York 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.[8]

The North American-market model arrived in 2006 as a 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 143 hp (107 kW; 145 PS) inline-4 gasoline engine.

In 2007, Suzuki Auto posted the best year-end close in company history, with SX4 sales a primary contributor to this success.[9]

The U.S. base price (model year 2008) for the 5-door hatchback (marketed in the U.S. as the SX4 Crossover) 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.

The 2009 model year saw SX4 sedans with standard GPS navigation systems manufactured by Garmin with Bluetooth, weather, and a gas station locator.[10]

The U.S.-market SX4 sedan (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 litres of cargo capacity.[citation needed]

Both the 1.6 L FWD hatchback[11] and 1.6 L FWD sedan models[12] available in Israel (4-speed automatic only) and Malaysia, are fully imported from Japan. In Indonesia, only a two-wheel drive version with 1.5 L engine is offered.

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 2008 model year, the U.S.-market SX4 Crossover was only available with iAWD). The AWD models use an electronically controlled iAWD 3-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 64 km/h (40 mph), after that it switches to AWD AUTO mode.

Since the 2010 model year, SX4 five-door hatchback is available with a 1.6 L DOHC VVT engine, 2.0 L DOHC VVT engine and 2.0 L DDiS diesel engine (16 valve, 135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) with 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) 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 107 to 120 bhp. The U.S.-market received a new 2.0 L engine (J20B), with the power increased from 143 to 150 bhp, and also lower fuel consumption.

The car is offered with either a new six-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission for 1.6 L engine cars. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters comes with a 2.0 L I4 engine that makes 148 hp (110 kW; 150 PS) at 6,000 rpm. On standard six-speed manual transmission the same engine produces 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS) at 6,200 rpm.

The 2010 model was upgraded with front (ventilated) and rear (solid) disc brakes, 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cruise control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), optional in 1.6 L models.

The 2010-model SX4 inclused changes to the grille, taillights, 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 add new rear skid plates.

A new SportBack model offers a lowered sport-tuned suspension, body kit, rear spoiler, and also removes the roof rack.[13]

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 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) at 5,600 rpm and 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) 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. This engine is also used in the Fiat Linea and Punto.

An experimental Suzuki concept car using alternative power includes a 80 kW hydrogen fuel cell and 68 kW electric motor. The car has top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) with 250 km range. The car was unveiled in 2008 Hokkaido Tōyako summit,[14] and later in 2008 Paris International Motor Show.[15]

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 SX4 WRC with AWD and the J20 engine producing 320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) and 590 N·m (440 lb·ft) of torque. However due to WRC calendar changes Suzuki officially debuted in 2008, using the 2007 season as further development time for the SX4. The SX4 competed on a test basis in two 2007 WRC events: the Rallye de France in October 2007 (finishing 31st overall) and the Rally GB in November 2007 (finishing 27th overall).[16] In the first event of 2008, the Rallye Monte Carlo, Suzuki driver Per-Gunnar Andersson finished 8th.

A race car called 'Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special' was used at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It was a specially adapted Suzuki SX4 with a twin turbocharged 3.1 L V6 engine producing 910 hp (679 kW; 923 PS) and 890 N·m (660 lb·ft) of torque. Driver Nobuhiro Tajima set the track record time of 9:51.278.[17]

In July 2012, first "spy shots" of a disguised small crossover with Suzuki badges were leaked from a testing ground in Spain. The car was speculated to be the second generation of SX4. From what could be seen from the photographs, it presented an evolution of the old model, with somewhat bigger dimensions, and style in line with that of Suzuki Kizashi. The new model is expected be Suzuki-only, as Fiat is replacing Sedici with new 500X.[18]

Suzuki displayed their S-Cross[19] compact crossover concept in 2012 at Paris Motor Show. 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.[20]

The new SX4, with outlook similar to S-Cross, was presented at 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Compared to its predecessor it grew in all directions, being 4,300 mm long, 1,765 mm wide and 1,575 mm tall. The wheelbase measures 2,600 mm, 100 mm more than the earlier model. These dimensions provided additional interior and boot space (430 liters compared with 270 liters). The first offer includes petrol and diesel[21] engines of 1.6 L capacity. Sales on the European market have started, but the SX4 will not be available in the U.S. since Suzuki has withdrawn from that market.[22][23][24]