Photo: Suzuki
Suzuki has just announced it will begin taking advanced orders for the SX4 S-Cross in its domestic market of Japan. While the small crossover still looks fresh, it's actually arriving two years late.
The S-Cross was shown at the Paris Motor Show way back in September 2012 as a concept. The production model followed shortly after in March 2013.
So why did a Japanese car take 2 years to reach Japan? Because it's actually built at the Esztergom factory in Hungary, along with the Swift.
In Japan, the S-Cross is only available with a four-cylinder 1.6-liter VVT petrol engine making 117 PS and 151 Nm (15.4kgm) of torque at 4400rpm. The gearbox chosen is the CVT one, which can simulate 7 speeds.
The cheapest version sold in Japan costs 2,041,200 yen ($17,200) and is front-wheel drive. However, for 2,257,200 yen ($19,000) you can gave it with all-wheel drive as well. The Suzuki rivals Honda's Vezel crossover and comes as standard with an ALLGRIP drive select system that has Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock settings.
The S-Cross is much larger than the old SX4, being about the size of a Mazda3. It weighs about 1.2 tons and comes with LED daytime running lights, aluminum scuff plates at the front and back, black fender arch inserts and 17-inch wheels. The colors that are available in Japan are limited to just 4: Crystal Lime Metallic, Cool White Pearl, Boost Blue Pearl Metallic and Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic.
We tested the little Suzuki about a year ago and found the dynamics left something to be desired and the build quality could be better in some places. But the lack of performance and a somewhat wobbly body might not bother the Japanese, who may find the massive cargo space as being more important.
So why did a Japanese car take 2 years to reach Japan? Because it's actually built at the Esztergom factory in Hungary, along with the Swift.
In Japan, the S-Cross is only available with a four-cylinder 1.6-liter VVT petrol engine making 117 PS and 151 Nm (15.4kgm) of torque at 4400rpm. The gearbox chosen is the CVT one, which can simulate 7 speeds.
The cheapest version sold in Japan costs 2,041,200 yen ($17,200) and is front-wheel drive. However, for 2,257,200 yen ($19,000) you can gave it with all-wheel drive as well. The Suzuki rivals Honda's Vezel crossover and comes as standard with an ALLGRIP drive select system that has Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock settings.
The S-Cross is much larger than the old SX4, being about the size of a Mazda3. It weighs about 1.2 tons and comes with LED daytime running lights, aluminum scuff plates at the front and back, black fender arch inserts and 17-inch wheels. The colors that are available in Japan are limited to just 4: Crystal Lime Metallic, Cool White Pearl, Boost Blue Pearl Metallic and Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic.
We tested the little Suzuki about a year ago and found the dynamics left something to be desired and the build quality could be better in some places. But the lack of performance and a somewhat wobbly body might not bother the Japanese, who may find the massive cargo space as being more important.
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