Suzuki SX4 1.6 ZXI Test Drive Report

kunal1983 · 8th May 2007, 11:42

So here it comes...

Drove the zxi variant yesterday in peak hour traffic and a speed run ....

Since it had DEMO CAR painted all over it and was bullying all the smaller cars away , it made a lot heads turn.

Steering was not too light like verna and the feedback provided was enough.

Engine is nicely packed with almost linear torque delivery ( that too without VVT). Fared better than the fiesta 1.4 . With 102 horses under the hood it had enough to zip past the mute spectators. Also its torque delivery at a higher rpm meant less gear shifts. Top speed attained by me was 160.

Gearbox -> Wasnt as smooth but this was expected as the car had done only 32km . however the gear ratios looked in place.

Handling -> This was the only area of concern for me as the car had a mild body roll considering its tall body design and a higer CG due its higher ground clearance. So all speed freaks , let it be known high speed cornering is at your own risk ( or skill , i must say ).

Ride Quality -> Class C comfort . Very sturdy suspension and it the potholes very nicely. However the engine was not a silent types like NHC and had a grunt which can be heard inside.

NVH -> Horn was heard more inside than the people outside. Also the noise proofing element was not up to the mark ( it might be due to the excessive delhi-horn-happy folks)

Climate control was a pleasure to have and so was those amber illuminated dials to look at.

ABS brought the beast to a nice stop without any shakings . ( a must have.)

The car was notches above in stability than NHC at high speed straight runs. Cornering remains a weak link.

Considering its wide tyres , 1.6 L engine and power delivery promises FE should be expected to be in range of 9-10.

Lets see when does TBHP TD team does a comprehensive review.

HellwratH · 8th May 2007, 12:17

Nicely written kunal. So in a personal opinion, do you think it as a replacement for Baleno? That's what the news channels have been flashing over the past few days, would like to know from you though.

GTO · 8th May 2007, 12:24

Thats a FIRST! Thanks for sharing this, Kunal. Spot on with the report and the car seems to be just what I expected. Looks like the 205 tyres have been put for a reason (and not only premium positioning).

Man, cant wait till I get in the drivers seat.

DCEite · 8th May 2007, 12:26

Any pics? And where in Delhi did you reach 160kmph?

moralfibre · 8th May 2007, 12:29

Nice first impression Kunal. Any idea what size of rims does the car come with? Is it 16 inch by any chance?

Akshay1234 · 8th May 2007, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Nice first impression Kunal. Any idea what size of rims does the car come with? Is it 16 inch by any chance?

the zxi does come with 16inchers.

unknown · 8th May 2007, 12:33

Nice report , Curious to know where u did 160 in peak hours lol

streetsdisciple · 8th May 2007, 12:37

nice report kunal ,was waiting for someone to TD a sx4 and share the experience.

Technocrat · 8th May 2007, 12:51

Nice review

buttt

Quote:

Also its torque delivery at a higher rpm meant less gear shifts

I thought Torque at lower rpms means lesser shifts ?

svel · 8th May 2007, 12:59

Thanks for the report Kunal.

1. In your opinion, what is safe speed while turning corners ?
2. I agree with your estimated FE numbers. If it gives more than 10 in city driving conditions, thats a bonus.

theMAG · 8th May 2007, 13:08

kunal1983,

Good first impression. The most eagerly awaited feedback will be about the engine

By

Quote:

Engine is nicely packed with almost linear torque delivery

,
do you mean that acceleration is not brisk in any gear, but the engine is tractable in any gear due to an even torque curve. In which case, can the car be assumed to be pleasantly drivable but not a driver-happy car?

benbsb29 · 8th May 2007, 13:10

Kunal, you could have helped out by adding some pics to the TD report, specially the interiors which everyone is raving about.

rjstyles69 · 8th May 2007, 13:29

Kunal thanks a ton for the much awaited 1st TD review.

Quote:

The car was notches above in stability than NHC at high speed straight runs. Cornering remains a weak link.

Something that should be driven and experienced.

Quote:

Considering its wide tyres , 1.6 L engine and power delivery promises FE should be expected to be in range of 9-10.

Aint that a bit on the lower side?? Anyways need to wait and watch once its on the road.

Mahesh please call RNS and check if they can provide a TD , coz I have been informed that they should have one with them by this friday for TD.

BUSA · 8th May 2007, 13:35

Its really sad the cornering and handling are not upto the mark, i guess the main reason for this is the high GC of 190mm. I think 170mm GC is more then enough. Secondly the looks of the car is a tad dissapointing, i find the Baleno to have a better front and better side profile with its ground hugging type design with low GC and low height.

I will be going for a TD mostly today so will get all detailed pics.

theMAG · 8th May 2007, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

Mahesh please call RNS and check if they can provide a TD , coz I have been informed that they should have one with them by this friday for TD.

Riju,

Our small wonder is currently there attending the launch - he is expected to cut the ribbon himself. Small Blunder also was in the process of meeting the GM Patil there for details. I've asked Small Smaller to keep me posted abt TD details - I'll let you know if I hear anything

8th May 2007, 11:42	#1
kunal1983 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: delhi Posts: 16 Thanked: 0 Times	Suzuki SX4 1.6 ZXI Test Drive Report So here it comes... Drove the zxi variant yesterday in peak hour traffic and a speed run .... Since it had DEMO CAR painted all over it and was bullying all the smaller cars away , it made a lot heads turn. Steering was not too light like verna and the feedback provided was enough. Engine is nicely packed with almost linear torque delivery ( that too without VVT). Fared better than the fiesta 1.4 . With 102 horses under the hood it had enough to zip past the mute spectators. Also its torque delivery at a higher rpm meant less gear shifts. Top speed attained by me was 160. Gearbox -> Wasnt as smooth but this was expected as the car had done only 32km . however the gear ratios looked in place. Handling -> This was the only area of concern for me as the car had a mild body roll considering its tall body design and a higer CG due its higher ground clearance. So all speed freaks , let it be known high speed cornering is at your own risk ( or skill , i must say ). Ride Quality -> Class C comfort . Very sturdy suspension and it the potholes very nicely. However the engine was not a silent types like NHC and had a grunt which can be heard inside. NVH -> Horn was heard more inside than the people outside. Also the noise proofing element was not up to the mark ( it might be due to the excessive delhi-horn-happy folks) Climate control was a pleasure to have and so was those amber illuminated dials to look at. ABS brought the beast to a nice stop without any shakings . ( a must have.) The car was notches above in stability than NHC at high speed straight runs. Cornering remains a weak link. Considering its wide tyres , 1.6 L engine and power delivery promises FE should be expected to be in range of 9-10. Lets see when does TBHP TD team does a comprehensive review.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:17	#2
HellwratH BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 115 Thanked: 57 Times	Nicely written kunal. So in a personal opinion, do you think it as a replacement for Baleno? That's what the news channels have been flashing over the past few days, would like to know from you though.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:24	#3
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,558 Thanked: 300,909 Times View My Garage	Thats a FIRST! Thanks for sharing this, Kunal. Spot on with the report and the car seems to be just what I expected. Looks like the 205 tyres have been put for a reason (and not only premium positioning). Man, cant wait till I get in the drivers seat.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:26	#4
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,418 Thanked: 2,571 Times	Any pics? And where in Delhi did you reach 160kmph?
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:29	#5
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,451 Thanked: 13,973 Times	Nice first impression Kunal. Any idea what size of rims does the car come with? Is it 16 inch by any chance?
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:33	#7
unknown BANNED Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 439 Thanked: 23 Times	Nice report , Curious to know where u did 160 in peak hours lol
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:37	#8
streetsdisciple BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: delhi Posts: 76 Thanked: 0 Times	nice report kunal ,was waiting for someone to TD a sx4 and share the experience.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 12:59	#10
svel BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 45 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks for the report Kunal. 1. In your opinion, what is safe speed while turning corners ? 2. I agree with your estimated FE numbers. If it gives more than 10 in city driving conditions, thats a bonus.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 13:10	#12
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,970 Thanked: 13,236 Times View My Garage	Kunal, you could have helped out by adding some pics to the TD report, specially the interiors which everyone is raving about.
	() Thanks

8th May 2007, 13:35	#14
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,130 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Its really sad the cornering and handling are not upto the mark, i guess the main reason for this is the high GC of 190mm. I think 170mm GC is more then enough. Secondly the looks of the car is a tad dissapointing, i find the Baleno to have a better front and better side profile with its ground hugging type design with low GC and low height. I will be going for a TD mostly today so will get all detailed pics.
	() Thanks