Maruti SX4
Maxabout Review
More Powerful & Value For Money Sedan
Friday, September 25, 2009Maruti launched Maruti SX4 in May 2007 to compete with the likes of Honda City which is the most popular and successful sedan in its segment. Maruti Suzuki was the first automobile company to introduce class leading premium features such as air-bags, steering-mounted audio controls, auto climate control, glass antennae and many others in an A3 segment car for customer benefit. The tradition continues in the new SX4 with the company bringing in advanced VVT technology, which has so far been used only in the luxury SUV, Suzuki Grand Vitara.
But Maruti SX4 could not compete with City's superior technology and brand image. At the time of launch SX4 has been very well recieved by indian customers, as it was a true value for money sedan which comes fully loaded with all the features at a very affordable price. But with the launch of 2009 model of Honda City, the sales of SX4 started to decline.
Now Maruti Suzuki India is back with new improved SX4 to make the deal better in comparison to Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Aveo & Hyundai Verna. They have plonked new 1.6 VVT engine in SX4 so that it complies with the strict emission norms which will be in effect from April, 2011 in 11 cities in India. The new engine is a 1600cc VVT(Variable Valve Timing) powerplant producing 104 Bhp which is 2 Bhp up from previous 102 Bhp. Maruti has also given some cosmetic design upgrades to the exterior and interiors to make it look more muscular and smart in comparison to Fiat Linea and Honda City.
8 Additions & New Features of New Maruti SX4
1) Upgraded 1.6 Litre engine with VVT head which now develops 104 bhp. It also meets the Bharat IV norms.
2) All New Brown/Beige Interiors plus option of leather interior in ZXi variants.
3) USB Input for the Dash Integrated Music System - only in ZXi variants
4) Wooden finish door console for power window buttons and control of rear view mirrors.
5) Flush fitting central rear seat arm rest - but surprisingly without cup holders
6) New Honeycomb Grille - looks much better than the grille of outgoing model
7) New 10 spoke 16" alloy wheels - but the 5 spoke design was more muscular and sppealing
8) Automatic Transmission Option - only in Zxi variants
Last Gen SX4 was powered by 1586cc, 4 cylinder petrol engine with developed maximum power 102 Bhp with maximum torque of 154Nm. The New engine is a 1600cc VVT(Variable Valve Timing) powerplant producing maximum power of 104 Bhp at 5600 rpm with maximum torque of 145 Nm at 4100 rpm. ARAI has also announced the mileage figures of new SX4 - the manual version willl return 15.5 kmpl while the automatic variant is expected to return 12.5 kmpl.
The VVT or Variable Valve Timing allows the timing of the intake valve to be changed while the engine is in operation, thereby ensuring that there is never a shortage or wastage of power. This leads to improved engine efficiency, optimized fuel consumption and lesser carbon emissions. With the advanced VVT technology, the car starts, accelerates and climbs steep slopes better. In essence, the technology is an intelligent system leading to a smoother, more luxurious drive and better mileage.
Maruti SX4's suspension setup is too stiff to be comfortable on low and high speeds. Low-speed ride is a touch lumpy over small undulations and you sometimes can feel the additional unsprung mass of those large tyres. Grip is fantastic from the wide tires and you can carry a fair amount of speed into corners, but the SX4 is nothing if not fidgety. There is massive torque steer tugging at the steering wheel from left to right as you floor the throttle. The SX4's inconsistent steering feedback keeps the driver on alert as you have to constantly make little corrections.
Maruti has launched New SX4 in five variants - SX4 VXi, SX4 ZXi, SX4 ZXi Leather, SX4 ZXi Automatic & SX4 ZXi Leather Automatic. The extra features in ZXi in comparsion to base model VXi are Dual SRS airbags, Alloy Wheels, ABS (Anti Lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Audio system controls on steering wheel, Front fog lights, Body colored door moulding, Automatic climate control system and Silver finish interior door handles. The ZXi leather variants have leather clad steering wheel, gear knob and leather seat covers.
The Automatic variant has same features like the ZXi variant - the only difference is that it comes with 4-speed automatic transmission. A cluster of computer controlled sensors constantly manage the throttle input and optimize the engine response accordingly, thus requiring no changing of gears. The overdrive mode in the Automatic Transmission provides additional power on the tap, whenever needed.
Shades Available In New Maruti SX4
New Maruti SX4 is available in seven shades. Two new shades have also been introduced - Oyster Blue & French Eclair. Following shades are available:
- Azure Grey
- Pearl Arctic White
- French Eclair - New Shade
- Oyster Blue - New Shade
- Clear Beige
- Silky Silver
- Midnight Black
About Maruti SX4 Diesel
Maruti had launched Maruti SX4 in May 2007 to compete with the likes of Honda City which is the most popular and successful sedan in its segment. Maruti Suzuki was the first automobile company to introduce class leading premium features such as air-bags, steering-mounted audio controls, auto climate control, glass antenna and many others in an A3 segment car for customer benefit. The tradition continued in the new SX4 with the company bringing in advanced VVT technology, which has so far been used only in the luxury SUV, Suzuki Grand Vitara. Now, Maruti Suzuki India has launched the SX4 diesel which is powered by the same 1.3 litre multijet engine which powers the Linea and Manza.
Variants of Maruti SX4 Diesel
Maruti Suzuki Diesel is available in two variants:
- Maruti SX4 Diesel VDi
- Maruti SX4 Diesel ZDi
Interiors, Comfort and Safety Features Of Maruti SX4 Diesel
- Dash integrated music system
- Dual front SRS airbags
- Anti lock braking system
- Electronic brake distribution
- Steering mounted audio controls
The interiors of SX4 Diesel are more or less same like the petrol model with minor changes which includes new upholstery for seats and new gear lever in automatic variant. Also an option of USB support has been added in the dash integrated music system. But overall the interiors of SX4 feel a little bit cramped with less rear leg room and small rear windscreen. Front seat headrests are very big in size and the distance between the seats is also very less. Leather seats are optional in the top-end ZDi variant; it also comes with a neatly integrated in-dash music system as part of the standard package. The top model ZDi comes equipped with dual SRS airbags, Antilock braking system and Electronic brake distribution.
Engine & Ride Quality Of Maruti SX4 Diesel
- 1.3 litre DDiS Diesel Engine
- 89 Bhp of maximum power
- 200 Nm of maximum torque
Maruti SX4 Diesel is powered by 1248cc Multijet diesel engine which develos maximum power of 89 Bhp with maximum torque of 200 Nm.
Shades Available in Maruti SX4 Diesel
Maruti SX4 Diesel is available in six shades:
- Silky Silver
- Midnight Black
- Pearl Arctic White
- Azure Grey
- Oyster Blue
- Clear Beige