We went to the outskirts of Budapest to sort out the details of the relocation of the compact "Japanese". The average buyer of foreign cars in Russia is a victim of stereotypes. He is convinced that a German-assembled car is not a match for the same model produced in Belgium, France or Italy, that a Japanese car assembled in England is, as it were, not quite Japanese, and that Russian hands are not able to produce goods as high-quality as let's say Korean. Our visit to Hungary at the Magyar Suzuki Corporation plant had a number of goals, and one of them was to help overcome such prejudices. To do this, we got acquainted with the production process at the Japanese plant in the city of Esztergom and tested the locally assembled SX-4 in the case. The meaning of our sortie was the most direct one. At the moment, SX-4 made in Hungary and Japan are presented on the Russian market, but from August this compact crossover, including the front- and all-wheel drive versions of the SX-4 GLX with automatic transmission, will be supplied to us exclusively from the Hungarian Suzuki plant.
Benefits of Esztergom
Of course, the matter will not be limited to just changing the “passport”. "Hungarians" will differ from the Japanese modifications by the front bumper and rear lights, the location of the external antenna at the leading edge of the roof, as well as the interior with a combined (two-tone) trim. But it is much more important that the all-wheel drive versions of the Hungarian SX-4 will receive an increased ground clearance of 15 mm. The body of such "Hungarians" is raised to 190 mm, which increases the off-road potential of the model. Agree, thanks to the “adult” ground clearance, the all-wheel drive SX-4 will get a tangible advantage over its competitors on country roads - for example, over its closest rival Nissan Juke or an indirect rival Skoda Yeti. The Suzuki SX-4 from Hungary will also receive different chassis settings and a 5 mm narrower (from 1500 to 1495 mm) front track. Of course, Hungarian cars are being adapted for the Russian market. Including crossovers will receive adaptation to a cold start and a protective coating for radiators to exclude the consequences of contact with caustic reagents, which are so fond of the municipal services of the two Russian capitals.
Another benefit of cars with Hungarian registration is the presence of a version with navigation in the lineup. We are talking about a special version of the SX-4 1.6 GLX NAV, the sales of which begin in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The letters “NAV” in the name indicate the presence of the Bosch navigation system (with maps of Moscow, St. Petersburg and their environs) and the intelligent multimedia center HMI (Human Machine Interface) offered for the first time on the Suzuki SX-4 with a CD-receiver with MP3, WMA function , support for iPod, iPhone, USB Audio, SD-card and Bluetooth. The fresh equipment can be distinguished by the updated exterior with new design 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as the exterior mirrors with inscribed direction indicators.
Made in Hungary
An hour's drive from the center of Budapest, and we find ourselves in the Suzuki estate - the town of Esztergom. The factory floor is surrounded by numerous parking lots, with 90% of the cars owned by employees, of course, Suzuki. The lion's share came off the local assembly line, but some, such as the XL-7 SUV, are shipped from overseas. This year the plant turns 20 years old, and for some reason we are not very surprised to find rudiments of the era of socialism behind the factory entrance. For example, the factory canteen is laid out according to the painfully familiar Soviet pattern - a giant rectangle of a dining hall, display cases where dishes from the menu are presented, railings for rolling trays.
After a short but obligatory briefing, we put on protective clothing and head to the welding workshop. We are trying to discern signs of a bygone era here, but we find only total purity, modern equipment and Japanese organization of the production process. Smart robots weld together a variety of body parts. By the way, the plant employs 700 robots, of which 495 are used in the welding process. Somewhere in the depths of the workshop, operational control of the strength of the welding points is carried out. A group of workers are tapping the joints with small hammers. Under this measured knock, we go to the assembly shop, and the difference in the level of robotization immediately strikes us. There are far fewer robots on assembly lines, but the pace of production seems to be quite fast. The workshop workers hang doors on the bodies, assemble the brake system elements, organize the “wedding” of the body and chassis, and install Japanese-made gasoline and diesel engines produced by Fiat into the engine compartment. By the way, the SX-4 twins, the Fiat Sedici, also roll off the assembly line of the Esztergom plant, but this is a piece product, focused on the countries of Western Europe. In total, about 800 cars are produced in Esztergom per day.
After talking with representatives of the plant, we will learn interesting details. The “Hungarian hands” that assemble the small cars at the Esztergom plant turn out to be not entirely Hungarian. For example, about 35% of the plant's employees (3900 in total) are Slovaks. However, we are surprised at such a high proportion of Slovak workers for a short time. As soon as we got behind the wheel of the test SX-4s, drive away from the plant, cross the Danube on a pretty green bridge, and we ended up in neighboring Slovakia. It is understandable why the inhabitants of this country are eager to go to the Esztergom plant. This is partly due to the higher unemployment rate in Slovakia, and partly due to the attractive working conditions on the other side of the Danube. The salary of the employees of the Hungarian plant turns out to be slightly higher than that of the employees of the enterprises in the same area. There are attractive social benefits. And the Japanese side is actively stimulating the workers. For example, Suzuki takes care of the local kindergarten in cooperation with the municipal authorities.
Budapest - Esztergom - Budapest
We started to get acquainted with the SX-4 of the Hungarian assembly on the way from Budapest to Esztergom and chose for the purity of the experiment a mono-drive model, reserved for the Hungarian market. The ground clearance in our case is quite urban - 175 mm. A 1.5-liter gasoline engine hums under the hood, which will not be available on cars for Russia. 1.6-liter engines that meet Euro 4 standards are intended for our market. Transmission - 5-speed “mechanics” - impressed in German with precise shifting, but did not please with long lever strokes. The chassis is slightly more rigid in the Hungarian version.
The suspension is a little denser than that of the "Japanese", but the ride is not affected. The single-drive SX-4 does not extinguish in front of flaws in the roadway, does not annoy with shaking and noise. The one and a half liter engine of the “Hungarian” enjoys increased revs, as well as its 1.6-liter counterpart. Up to 3600 rpm, such an SX-4 accelerates frankly sluggishly, but as soon as the tachometer needle overcomes the above line, the compact crossover turns into a sports car. To match the high-speed motor and tenacious brakes, and an intelligible steering wheel with only a meager information deficit in the near-zero zone. In a word, the mono-drive SX-4 provokes recklessness, but it can also be meek if the cocky engine is not “turned”.
After visiting the plant in Esztergom, we change to a more interesting car for Russian buyers - an all-wheel drive crossover with a 1.6-liter 112-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual gearbox and off-road clearance. Contrary to expectations, we do not note the rolliness of the car in sharp and fast turns, or damage to the smoothness of the ride, which could be a logical consequence of reconfiguring the springs and shock absorbers to a more rigid mode. Banks are present, but they are extremely insignificant. Exchange rate stability has improved altogether. The all-wheel drive modification is more confidently stabilized during sudden rearrangements and, of course, much more stubbornly on the dirt road.
In other words, the Hungarian registration for the SX-4 is an absolute blessing. We can only complain that the prices after the “move” have not been adjusted downward. The cheapest mono-drive crossover with a 1.6-liter engine and manual gearbox will cost our compatriots 619,000 rubles. For an all-wheel drive modification with the same engine and automatic transmission, you will have to pay at least 719,000 rubles. And yet this price does not seem overpriced given the more modern appearance of the Japanese compact and its thoughtful adaptation to Russian realities. Another competitive advantage of the SX-4 is its exceptional position in the all-wheel drive compact niche. Until recently, the "Japanese" was an obvious monopoly in the segment. But competitors have already begun to step on their heels. In addition to Nissan Juke, the upcoming Renault Duster is ready to challenge Suzuki. It is not excluded that the Russian debut of the "Frenchman" will help reduce prices for the compact bestseller Suzuki.
The cars of the Japanese company Suzuki are known in every corner of the world. We also accepted the cars of this brand in Russia. Most of all, Russian fans liked the Suzuki SX4 crossover. The world first saw this model back in 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. Then the car made a splash, and our compatriots also fell in love with the "Japanese" of the first generation. Three years later (2009), the manufacturer restyled the model, and in 2010, sales of the car began in the domestic market. Many fans and owners are interested in where Suzuki SX4 is assembled for the Russian Federation.
This model of the Kossover is supplied to our market from Japan. Therefore, those who own the crossover should know that they are driving a purebred "Japanese". In addition, Suzuki SX4 is produced in India (Manesar) and Hungary (Esztergom). An Indian enterprise produces a car for the domestic market, and a Hungarian-assembled crossover is also supplied to the Russian market, in addition to the domestic one. Today, our compatriots can buy the second generation of the model, which the manufacturer released a year ago. The new model was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. If anyone does not know, then the Japanese worked on this crossover in conjunction with the Fiat company. The quality of production between Japanese and Hungarian machines is almost imperceptible. The build of the car is almost identical.
External and internal view
In fact, initially, this model did not position itself as a crossover, since the car is rather low for this title. It was originally a front wheel drive hatchback. But, after restyling, they began to produce an all-wheel drive version of the "Japanese". After the presentation of the Suzuki SX4 NEW, it became clear to everyone that now it is a full-fledged crossover. Some owners argue that this car falls short of an SUV. But, where Suzuki SX4 is produced, they create a car that is able to deal with any road bumps and bumps. Instead of the pyramid body that the first generation of the model had, now we see a stylish, dynamic, sporty body.
The car has changed significantly, it has become larger than its predecessor. The length of the Japanese crossover is 4300 mm, the width of the car has become more than ten millimeters, and the height is 1590 mm. The wheelbase of the "Japanese" is 2600 mm, and the ground clearance is 180 mm. The basic version of the crossover weighs 1085 kg, and the weight of the maximum configuration is 1190 kg. Not only the design of the Suzuki SX4 has changed, but the inside of the car has also changed. Engineers have removed all unnecessary things from the interior, and now it looks simpler, but more practical. The center panel of the crossover has become more ergonomic and modern. Inside, the "Japanese" turned out to be simple and not impressive.
The owners say that in some competitors, the interior of the cars looks better and more interesting. But, what did you want from a budget car? Yes, materials for finishing were not of the highest quality and most expensive, but the manufacturer adjusted all the elements and details with high quality. There is nothing superfluous here. The volume of the luggage compartment has increased - 460 liters (previously it was 270 liters). And with the rear seats folded down, it becomes 1269 liters. Now you know where the Suzuki SX4 is assembled, and how the car has changed after the updates.
The technical side
In the domestic market, unfortunately, they offer a crossover with only one engine option. It is a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter petrol unit that produces 117 horsepower (156 Nm). The motor works in tandem with a 5-speed manual gearbox or with a continuously variable transmission. In general, the updated Suzuki SX4 was equipped with the same engine that was on the first generation of the model, it was only slightly modernized. Japanese engineers have increased the power of the power plant and fixed some defects.
With a manual transmission, the crossover delivers 180 kilometers per hour of top speed. It will take eleven seconds to accelerate the car to the first hundred. In terms of fuel consumption, the car is economical. On the highway, the car will only have five liters, in the city - seven, and in the combined cycle - 5.8 liters. A car with a CVT accelerates to the first hundred in 12.4 seconds. The maximum speed is 175 kilometers per hour. The difference in fuel consumption is ten liters. Perhaps, in the near future, a diesel version of the car will also be supplied to our market. The Japanese installed modern security systems (ESP, ABS, BAS, EBD) on the updated crossover.
Where Suzuki SX4 is produced, they took into account the Russian operating conditions, therefore, the car easily overcomes off-road and other irregularities. The basic version of the car will cost customers 749,000 rubles. The maximum equipped crossover costs 1,099,000 rubles. Prices vary depending on the configuration. For a car with such indicators and "stuffing", this is quite a worthy payment.
20.01.2018
Suzuki SX4 (Suzuki SX4) is one of the most compact models of its class (SUV). Compact crossovers in many markets are in great demand among motorists, since their increased cross-country ability allows you to feel more confident not only in the city, but also outside it. Despite the fact that the Suzuki SX4 in the secondary market is presented in two versions - a mini-crossover and a sedan, in our market a car in the body of a mini-crossover is in great demand, thanks to the increased cross-country ability due to the possible all-wheel drive and impressive ground clearance (19 cm, at sedans 15 cm). In addition to off-road characteristics, the reliability of the car, which Japanese manufacturers have always been famous for, also plays an important role. But how things are with the reliability of this car, and what you should pay attention to when choosing a Suzuki SX4 with mileage, I will tell you in this article.
A bit of history:
Suzuki SX4 is a joint project of the two concerns and Fiat. The design of the car was entrusted to one of the best designers in the world, Giorgetto Giugiaro from ItalDesign. This model replaced the outdated model Suzuki Aerio, which is better known in the domestic market under the name "Liana". The manufacturer claims that the name of the model "SX4" is nothing more than a cipher: S - means "sport", X - "crossover", 4 - symbolizes the four seasons.
The premiere of the first generation of the model took place in 2006 at the Geneva Auto Show, in the same year the serial assembly of the car began. Cars intended for the European market were assembled at a plant in Hungary, and the twin of the model, the Fiat Sedici, was also assembled here. For other markets, cars were assembled in Japan, India and China. At the start of sales, the Suzuki SX4 was available only in a hatchback (crossover) body, which was called the SX4 Crossover. But a year later, in 2007, at the auto show in New York, the debut of the new SX4 sedan took place. The characteristic features of the novelty are the original wedge-shaped body shape, an unusual inclination of the windshield, a high roof profile, large triangular windows of the front doors.
At the end of 2009, the model was subjected to restyling, during which the appearance, braking system and power units were modernized. In 2011, the top-end version of the car appeared on sale, equipped with a Bosch navigation system and an intelligent multimedia system. The first generation of the car lasted on the conveyor until 2013, in the same year the second generation of the model, called "Suzuki SX4 S-Cross", appeared on sale. The novelty was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. The main differences between the second generation of the model and its predecessor are the increased dimensions, more expressive interior and exterior design, better quality of interior finishing materials.
Weaknesses and disadvantages of Suzuki SX4 with mileage
The car body deserves only positive reviews, it firmly resists the effects of reagents, which are generously sprinkled on our roads, the manufacturer clearly did not regret anti-corrosion and paintwork. Therefore, if the selected car has spots of swelling of paint or foci of rust, most likely the car was restored after an accident. But the threaded connections of the chassis, wiring contacts, muffler holder, rear beam and gear lever wings are prone to corrosion and require special attention. So, for example, when the wings become acidic, there is a risk of breaking off the plastic guides. Another disadvantage is the poor lighting of the road from the standard headlamps.
Power units
In the domestic secondary market, the Suzuki SX4 is presented with petrol engines 1.5 (110 HP), 1.6 (107 and 112 HP was installed after restyling), 2.0 (145 and 150 HP). Rarely, but still there are cars with diesel engines 1.6 (90 HP) and 1.9 (90, 120 HP), imported from Europe.
The most widespread in the CIS is a gasoline power unit with a variable valve timing system and a 1.6-liter timing chain drive. On most instances, a chain replacement was required after 150,000 km, and two tensioners must be changed at the same time. The main disadvantage of this engine is considered to be poor dynamics at low revs; for confident movement, it is necessary to keep the engine at high revs. If we talk about the reliability of this motor, then there are no serious complaints about it, the main thing is to change the oil on time and pour high-quality gasoline. If the last recommendation is neglected, there is a high probability of premature destruction of the catalyst. On cars of the first years of production, malfunctions in the engine software are possible. The weaker power unit turned out to be no less reliable.
The two-liter engine is demanding on oil quality and service intervals (every 10,000 km). When using low-quality lubricants, the timing chain hydraulic tensioner fails prematurely, and the chain may stretch - eliminating any of these problems is not cheap. All gasoline engines are not equipped with hydraulic compensators, so the manufacturer recommends checking the thermal clearances of the valves every 40-50 thousand km. But practice has shown that the valves do not always need to be adjusted even after 100 thousand kilometers.
Of the other minor drawbacks inherent in all motors, a short generator service life can be noted (more often owners who rarely use their car face a problem). The culprit for the failure of the unit is its poor location, which is why dirt accumulates in it, and when driving through deep puddles, water can get into it. Symptoms are knocks, squeaks and other extraneous sounds. If you have a problem, do not rush to buy a new generator, as in most cases, simple cleaning will help restore the unit to work.
The oxygen sensor (lambda probe) is not famous for its reliability either. If it malfunctions, the power unit may start to work unstable, and fuel consumption also increases significantly. As a rule, this sensor does not stop working immediately, in this regard, it is unlikely that it will be possible to reveal that it is faulty on a test drive, therefore, a diagnosis should be made before buying. With a complete failure and depressurization of the sensor, it is unlikely that it will be possible to start driving. In addition, there is a high likelihood of serious engine damage with subsequent expensive repairs. Another disadvantage is the high cost of a fine fuel filter, which is recommended to be changed every 160,000 km ( changes assembled with the fuel pump). The cost of the original part is around $ 500.
Diesel engines Suzuki SX4
Diesel power units are a development of the company, unlike gasoline engines, they have a timing belt drive and more torque, but at the same time they have lower fuel consumption. When buying a car with such a power unit, you need to have about 1000 USD in stock to replace the turbine and the dual-mass flywheel. Both parts are reliable and serve more than 200,000 km, but in Europe they drive about 200,000 km on such cars in five to six years, after which they are sold to our outbidders, which twist the mileage to 100-120 thousand km.
Transmission
The Suzuki SX4 was equipped with two gearboxes - a 5 and 6-speed manual gearbox (the latter was installed only in tandem with diesel engines) and a 4-speed automatic. Both transmissions are reliable and low maintenance. A weak point in the mechanics is the clutch, if in front-wheel drive versions its average resource is 90-100 thousand km, then in cars with all-wheel drive the clutch has to be changed after 70-80 thousand km. Often, the owners blame the fuzzy engagement of the gears (especially the first one) and the noise of the bearings; replacement solves the problem for a short time. The disadvantage of the machine is its slowness and jolts during gear changes. In the event of a breakdown of the automatic transmission, repairs will not be cheap, so be sure to carry out a full diagnosis of the unit before buying.
The all-wheel drive system is reliable, but this car should not be considered an SUV, since the electromagnetic clutch with which the car is equipped is not designed for heavy loads and quickly overheats. For those who like to shove the car into the mud (snow) for the most "do not spoil" it is important to remember that when the clutch overheats, the rear axle is automatically disengaged. The first repair costs will be required after 70,000 km of run - replacement of the drive oil seals. Frequent off-road excursions negatively affect the resource of the universal joint shaft. A signal about strong wear of the crosspieces is a clicking, grinding, squeaking, crackling from the side of the cardan box when starting to move and in the future, especially when the gas is released or the speed is increased. With careful operation, the crosses serve more than 100,000 km. The original part is sold complete with a gimbal and is not cheap - about $ 600. Fortunately, our services have learned to restore this unit - $ 100-200.
Weaknesses of the Suzuki SX4 chassis with mileage
The suspension of the car (in front of MacPherson, behind a semi-independent beam) is knocked down and has good energy consumption. Such a tuning of the chassis had a positive effect on the handling of the car, but there is also a fly in the ointment here - on a road with poor coverage, the car decently shakes. If we talk about the reliability of the suspension, then we can confidently say that most of its elements do not take care of even 100,000 km. Stabilizer bushings are the fastest on our roads, you have to change them every 30-40 thousand km. The stabilizer struts often ask for replacement after 50-60 thousand kilometers. If you often storm bumps, their resource may be less. Also, the wheel bearings of the rear axle and shock absorbers turned out to be a weak point of the chassis - they become unusable after 70,000 km. The rear silent blocks of the front levers rarely nurture more than 120 thousand km. But the ball joints can last up to 150,000 km.
The steering system is equipped with an electric power steering, cars with a 2.0 liter engine and four-wheel drive are equipped with a hydraulic booster. The weak point here is the steering rack, a particularly problematic unit turned out to be on cars produced before 2008 - the right bushing breaks. Tie rod ends run 150-200 thousand km, and rods go even longer. The reliability of the braking system is a little upsetting, since despite the low weight of the car, the life of the brake pads and discs is small. The resource of the discs is 25-35 thousand km, the discs are enough for two sets of pads. When the brake discs are heavily worn, vibration occurs during braking.
Salon
The interior of the Suzuki SX4 is simple and made from inexpensive materials, however, like most Japanese-made cars. Despite the fact that the finishing materials are quite budgetary, they do a good job with all the hardships of everyday use, thanks to this, even on a car with high mileage, the interior does not look worn out. The significant disadvantages of the cabin include poor sound insulation and uncomfortable front seats. The electrical equipment is reliable, all buttons and levers work for a long time and trouble-free. The only thing you can find fault with is the head unit, which over time the CD drive may stop working (at first it starts to jam).
Outcome:
It is one of the most reliable and unpretentious cars in its segment. Even despite the described weaknesses, buying a used car of this model is unlikely to be an unsuccessful investment, the main thing is to correctly approach the choice of a car, operate it carefully and it will not cause any special problems.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.
Best regards, editors AutoAvenu
Previously, from the Land of the Rising Sun, front- and all-wheel drive cars in the top-end GLX configuration and with an automatic transmission were imported to us. They accounted for more than half of the sales. Now their production has been established at the Hungarian Suzuki plant. There are several advantages from changing the place of production: Russian prices have become less dependent on the growth of the yen exchange rate, and delivery times have decreased. After all, cars reach us from Europe many times faster - in about three to four weeks (not months).
By the way, the Hungarian "Suzuki" from the outside seem to be the same as their Japanese counterparts, but there are still differences between them: the "Europeans" have a different front bumper and a set of color options, two-tone upholstery, a battery capacity increased to 60 Ah, an antenna from the rear to the front edge of the windshield, an orange color of the lower section of the rear lights (instead of white), a square shape of cup holders, etc. But the most important thing is that all-wheel drive cars have 15 mm (up to 190) increased ground clearance.
These differences did not affect driving performance. The SX4 is still superbly stable, even the track rolled in the asphalt does not unbalance the car. In cornering "Suzuki" behaves reliably and predictably, the steering is informative - you always clearly understand and control the situation. If you overdo it with speed, the car begins to float smoothly out of the corner. At the same time, the electronic stabilization system is included in the work in a timely and delicate manner. The suspension itself is still stiff. It informs in detail about the condition of the roadway, but at the same time does not shake the soul. Only the level of acoustic comfort causes complaints: aerodynamic noises, rustling of tires are clearly audible in the cabin, and at high revs the mournful howl of the engine is added to them.
In addition to versions with the well-known 1.6-liter petrol engine producing 112 hp. paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed “automatic”, we managed to test the car with a 135-horsepower turbodiesel. The 2.0-liter engine from Fiat's Multijet line is perfect for the SX4. Already from 1500 rpm, he pulls very vigorously. The torque is more than twice that of the petrol counterpart (320 Nm versus 150) - just a small diesel locomotive. The average consumption of diesel fuel was in the region of 6 l / 100 km, which is very pleasing. Such a motor is offered to Europeans, and it is supplied exclusively with a 6-speed "mechanics". The Russian office of "Suzuki" does not exclude that the SX4 equipped with a turbodiesel will appear in Russia, but this will most likely happen not earlier than next year. Hope this promise will come true.
"MADYAR SUZUKI CORPORATION"
The Esztergom plant has been operating since 1992. This year will mark the production of the two millionth car. The enterprise is designed to produce 300,000 cars a year, but now the plant is only two-thirds loaded. The Hungarian model range includes Suzuki-Swift, as well as the twins Suzuki-Splash / Opel-Agila, Suzuki-SX4 / FIAT-Sedichi.
Cars are assembled in a full cycle. The process is almost completely automated. Bodies, for example, are welded exclusively by robots; there are about five hundred of them on this site. Most of the workers are employed on the final assembly line.
The Russian market is one of the priorities for Suzuki. Last year, 29,000 cars were sold in Russia, and plans for this year are even more ambitious - 50,000-60,000 units, of which 13,800 are SX4 crossovers.
During the creation of the SX4, Suzuki was “friends” with Fiat, so do not be surprised at the Fiat turbodiesels under the hood of these cars, or other smaller borrowings. And don't be shocked by the presence of the Fiat Sedici "twin", suspiciously similar to the SX4: the companies worked together on the model, and the design was done by Giugiaro himself.
Do not be intimidated by the Hungarian assembly: the quality of the cars remains Japanese, regardless of the country of assembly. It may not be as high as Toyota's, but it definitely has something to brag about.
True, the car itself is made cheap. In every sense - both in the quality of materials and in the thoroughness of handling, comfort and ergonomics. It's good that the cost of operation as well.
Now the oldest cars of this model have passed the ten-year age threshold, but the bulk is only approaching it: most of the cars were sold after 2008. Let's see how a car at this age and of this class tolerates our roads, it's no secret that small cars are made worse and simpler than large and expensive ones.
By the way, in addition to Hungary, where Suzuki has its own factory, which produced most of the SX4 for the Russian market, SX4 was also produced in Japan, India, Indonesia and China.
Body
The bodies of the five-door "off-road" SX4 are generally quite good. The main disadvantage noted is a relatively thin and weak paint layer, prone to chips and easily peeling off in places of damage. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers manage to put paint well on galvanized metal, and Suzuki had little experience in this matter. However, these are all trifles, and in general, thanks to galvanizing, this generation of machines almost ceased to suffer from age-related corrosion, for which the previous models were "famous".
In off-road cars, the sills and arches are well protected by plastic linings, and if the body is a little looked after, not allowing pitting corrosion to creep, washing out the dirt from the linings and sills and sometimes renewing the anticorrosive, then the body holds up no worse than that of European Volkswagen and Volvo. The places of damage to the paintwork on the doors and fenders are practically not prone to corrosion, and the hood and windshield frame hold, though worse, but slightly.
The back door is traditionally at risk. Especially - on cars with a simple color, and the "metallic" holds a little more reliably. The places of damage on the fifth door are standard: the lower rolling and the line of contact of the hood and rear lights with the metal.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2009-14 From the bottom of the car, everything is a little more complicated. Under the plastic lockers, the metal is covered only with paint and does not like the accumulation of dirt, which often affects off-road cars. They need to flush out all possible places of accumulation of soil, especially in thresholds and arches.
The anticorrosive layer on the bottom is also not a record one, but it is often scratched. When buying, it is worth checking both the condition of the coating on the bottom and the condition of the bumper mountings and the plastic of the sills. They are broken off regularly, and despite the relatively low price tag for original parts, they are very reluctant to change.
Front wing
price for original
6 786 rubles
Of the troubles that have a negative effect on the condition of the body as a whole, we note possible leaks in the roof rails and plugs in the bottom. The latter are often damaged, which leads to the accumulation of water in a thin layer of noise insulation on the underside of the car. Fortunately, this nuisance is rare, and it is easy to verify its existence. Moreover, it is imperative to check: cars with this defect can have perforating bottom corrosion in the driver's feet and numerous traces of seam corrosion from the inside.
With a not very reliable fuel pump, there is no hatch in the cabin for access to it and its replacement. Of course, no one is in a hurry to remove the tank, so the hole is simply cut out with a crown or grinder (the choice of tool depends on the desire of the barbarians in the car service). It is clear that the condition of the body in the area of the new hatch can be very different. Rarely does anyone immediately care about the condition of the seam, and in this area, due to the accumulation of dirt at the top of the gas tank and poor ventilation, it is usually quite humid.
The sheet metal front subframe is thin and rusts quickly and violently. The antirust of the stretcher must be updated regularly, but most of the owners neglect this operation. After a run of one and a half to two hundred thousand kilometers, you need to check carefully, and not only from the bottom, but also from above, where moisture accumulates.
The side members near the rear suspension beam attachment and the beam itself will also require close attention. Massive surface corrosion is common here.
Often, instead of clips for attaching sills and bumpers, you can find ordinary screws. This is especially true for cars from the hinterland and after careless operation. This is affected by the worst availability of spare parts and, again, the budget of the model and its maintenance. Unfortunately, many perceive the car as a competitor to the Niva and Zhiguli and relate to Suzuki accordingly.
Windshield
price for original
20,004 rubles
Fog lights crack glass easily from temperature changes and incoming stones. Well, worn-out headlights and weak windshields are a common thing for any budget car.
After hundreds of thousands of runs, there is usually something to put your hands on. Smokers often have scratches on the side windows: the unsuccessful seal material collects small stones, and the glass itself is soft here.
The relatively thin and fragile bumpers are definitely not suitable for off-road conditions, but the price of the bumper base is also low. The main thing is not to lose the grilles and moldings.
The driver's door limiter crackles after 60-80 thousand run, but the door holds. But the windows are often unscrewed, which is why the front windows do not rise to the end. It is not difficult to fix them: you just need to tighten a couple of mounting bolts on the retainer. But the doors will have to be disassembled, which often results in breakage of fragile plastic.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2009-14 The trapezoid of the wiper may bend, after which it will be necessary to set the position of the levers again. But it rarely turns sour and mainly for those who have a car worth more than it drives.
Salon
Inside the car it is simple and poor. Fortunately, the plastic of the front panel and door cards resists the time well, but the seats, floor carpet and plastic giblets don't hold up well. The interior of the car is at least a little lumbering. And it's good that we mainly have post-styling cars: in pre-styling, the interior is made worse and is aging faster.
 |
 |
Photo: Interior of Suzuki SX4 "2006–10
Somewhere more, somewhere less, depending on the year and condition, the glove box mount, the air ducts of the climate system, the armrest box and the lining of the center console rumble. And windows are also knocking at the door. Fortunately, at speed, you can't hear all this: the rubber and the engine drown out the noise, and if the car is all-wheel drive, then the transmission also helps them. But if suddenly the asphalt is smooth and the tires are quiet, then get ready to listen to these sounds.
True, after 130 km / h everything is drowned out by the noise of the wind: the door seals are not very successful, the glasses are thin, and the mirrors are large. And the music cannot drown it out, it is weak here.
The seats and steering wheel do not hide the mileage, and after 60-80 thousand mileage, the plastic looks already slightly greasy, and the seats begin to lose their shape. Closer to two hundred thousand mileage, the seat frame may capitulate. If the driver weighs more than 100 kilograms, the frame can even be broken, but more often it just starts to creak inside, and the microlift stops working.
 |
 |
Photo: Interior of Suzuki SX4 "2009-14
Well-groomed specimens that know the charms of dry cleaning and even additional noise insulation are very rare. The bulk of cars with more than a hundred thousand mileage flaunts a very shabby interior, which can be considered a serious drawback. So the year and mileage are very important here (and also the owner and place of operation).
But the fact that it is impossible for drivers above 170 cm to find a good fit will have to come to terms with a car of any age. Even if the uncomfortable seat with a short cushion can be positioned so that it will be convenient to steer and press the pedals (which is difficult to do in the absence of normal steering wheel adjustment), the visibility will turn out to be absolutely “none”. KamAZ will easily hide behind the side pillars with a "triangle", and the hood edge will not be visible behind the inflated front panel.
Electrician
Fortunately, everything is reliable here, and basically only the generator fails. Either it is located unsuccessfully, or competitors from Mitsubishi, whose assembly is most often installed, failed, but its bearings wedge. It is both useless and dangerous to spray lubricate the bearings externally: excessive grease can lead to fires. It's good that on cars with a gasoline 1.6-liter engine, the generator is easy and convenient to change.
Before restyling, cars still regularly experience starter and high-voltage wire failures, but this is more likely due to age. The wires just need to be changed sometimes, and the starter is afraid of dirt.
Of course, there are some malfunctions, but they are not regular. Unless the multimedia system suffers from a weak CD drive and amplifier.
Brakes, suspension and steering
The braking system for such a small car is quite serious and it works reliably. The resource of pads and discs is more than sufficient, so cars with manual transmissions usually have their own discs up to a hundred thousand. Even with the "automatic" disk resource is still enough for 60-80 thousand kilometers. The pads are not so durable, but they take care of their 30-50 thousand.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2009-14 The calipers are reliable, the GTZ is strong, the ABS works well, and its sensors are well protected. The rear drums are generally almost eternal. The main thing is to check that they still slow down: sometimes the mechanism wedges due to corrosion and wear.
The suspension of the car is not as strong as we would like. The service life of the wheel bearings, especially the rear ones, turned out to be surprisingly small. After 60 thousand mileage, some cars already start to hum a little, although most of the cars will require replacement of bearings when the mileage is twice as much. True, this is not a very outstanding result, especially considering that the SX4 does not have low-profile and wide rubber and super-powerful motors.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2009-14 There is a simple and reliable beam at the back. Among the shortcomings of it, only the tendency to corrosion of the central part can be noted.
Front - MacPherson-type suspension. She has a relatively weak design of the lever: it is easy to bend it, and the ball joint does not normally change separately. On non-genuine TRW levers, the support can be changed separately, but replaceable ball bearings do not always fit older design levers.
Front shock absorber
price for original
6,030 rubles
Shock absorbers can withstand much more than 100 thousand mileage, and at 200 they are often original (of course, if the car was not overloaded and not driven on the ground), but the struts in the front sag. A sour bearing often requires replacement, and it is better to change it as soon as it starts to creak. Otherwise, increased wear on the shock absorber rod seals can lead to oil leakage.
Front springs on running machines lose their top coils.
The steering is reliable enough. The problem of cars before restyling - knocking rake - has become less common on restyled cars. Moreover, if the knock on pre-styling could begin after 30-40 thousand runs, then the post-styling SX4 rake withstands three times more.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2006-10 Usually the problem lies in the materials of the bushings of the rail itself and its fastening. It is recommended to repair it immediately, without waiting for the knock to break the gear train. It is advisable to check the rail seals more often, and renew the grease at every second MOT.
The low resource of the rail tips should not be considered a big problem: they suddenly do not break, so it is enough to periodically monitor their condition.
EUR very badly tolerates "bathing" and washing the engine compartment. Power connectors lose their tightness with age, so you can get melted contacts or simply system malfunctions.
In the photo: Suzuki SX4 "2006-10 Of course, the SX4 doesn't look like a Land Rover Discovery or a Mercedes-Benz G-Class at all. This crossover is not so prestigious, comfortable or beautiful (although not everyone likes the "Gelik" externally either). But it is inexpensive and rarely breaks down. True, we have not yet said anything about the motors and gearboxes of this "Japanese", but.
