[GTO]

We'd shown you scoop pictures of the facelifted SX4 here, and then here. Maruti launches the SX4 Facelift at the same price as the earlier model.

What's new on the outside?

• The 2013 SX4 is 10 mm longer, due to the new bumper design
• Chrome front grille
• Smoked out headlamp garnish
• Foglamp with dual-tone garnish
• Two new colour options : Serene Blue and Granite Grey

What's new on the inside?

• Black and beige dual-tone interiors. Black dashboard & beige seat upholstery
• Black and marble finish prints used on the inside
• Touchscreen audio system with GPS navigation and bluetooth functionality
• Electrically foldable ORVMs with integrated blinkers
• Faux wood finish armrests
• Chrome A/C side louvers and chrome finish side handles



The SX4 is powered by a 1.6-liter VVT petrol engine with 103 BHP and 145 Nm torque on tap. The diesel has 89 BHP and 200 Nm torque. The 2013 SX4 delivers an improved fuel efficiency of 6% at 16.51 kpl (petrol) while the diesel is rated at 21.79 kpl. The SX4 CNG option returns fuel economy of 22.1 km/kg.

SX4 Timeline:

• Launched in 2007. Has sold over 100,000 units since
• New VVT petrol engine introduced in 2009
• CNG variant launched in 2010
• 1.3L 89 BHP diesel launched in 2011
• Only Maruti with petrol, diesel and CNG options

SX4 sales have tanked in the recent past, with the car losing out to fresher competition. It's at the end of the product lifecycle and the next-generation SX4 will be launched in 2014.

[swiftdiesel]

A picture of the touchscreen system with GPS will be interesting. Looks like no pics have been released yet.

[paragsachania]

The SX4 was always a dissimilar car from the usual Sedans. A very good and taller seating position, easy ingress-egress suitable for aged passengers and a considerably higher ground clearance that comes to aid over bad roads.

I am no fan of superior handling as I respect a driver's common sense to rule over artificial and mechanical intelligence when it comes to taming an automobile.

I have driven the Petrol and Diesel over some very long distances spanning 1500-2000 kms and have found the car just about right if I had to graduate from my good old WagonR. My parents especially had no complaints whatsoever in terms of seating and other comforts in the SX4 which they did in the iVTEC Honda City that our family has when it came to getting in and out.

The Petrol motor was rev friendly but not as quick as what a 1.6L with 100+ horses should be and not greatly efficient if driven with enthusiasm on open stretches.

The Diesel with those 90 horses managed to do its duty without a complaint with excellent FE numbers though on Ghat section, remaining in Turbo was the only trick to make sure its chugging along the climbs.

In both, the ride though a little bumpier was never bad to complain for the fact that the seating was always higher even for rear passengers.

A tight fit for 5 passengers due to the absence of a better shoulder room at rear it was unlikely that I may drive with 5 full sized adults for a journey of 2000 kms in any car.

With the new "Features" introduced just to remain in competition and gain a few tick marks in a prospective buyer's list, only time can say whether it starts to gain healthy numbers in coming months when we already have the Ertiga managing a good show.

[sparsh]

Agree with your feedback Parag. To me SX4 looks more like old wine in old bottle albeit minor exterior changes. I feel Maruti missed a trick by not plonking a 1.8L plus engine on the petrol version and make it a fun to drive car. Also on the diesel end, 1.3L is tad too small an engine for a car of this segment. It definitely needs more than 1.5L with a engine churing out 120+bhp and over 250nm plus torque. Atleast folks who go for this segment mostly do not focus on fuel economy.

[swiftnfurious]

Has Maruti absorbed the "SUV" tax hike SX4 was subjected to, for the petrol variant? Diesel anyway would have ducked as the engine size is less than 1.6L! In a way makes sense, as the car is struggling to sell even at this price.

[sajusherief]

Though very minimal , a facelift like this was very much needed for it's survival. Actually a bit excited to see the official pics of the touch screen navigation. Would it be something like caska type ?? any guess ?

[Maky]

I find this facelift to be very uninspiring, Infact I actually can't seem to spot the difference much between this 'facelift' and the current SX4 from the picture in the original post.
I'm looking forward to the 2014 model. Should hopefully coincide with our next sedan purchase. I'd prefer to own a Maruti make over a Honda or Hyundai any day but their current offering is so mind numbingly daft when it comes to saloons. Thanks GTO.

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Has Maruti absorbed the "SUV" tax hike SX4 was subjected to, for the petrol variant? Diesel anyway would have ducked as the engine size is less than 1.6L! In a way makes sense, as the car is struggling to sell even at this price.

I remember reading somewhere on this site that the goverment was going to revise(or clarify?) it's definition of an SUV and what fell under that. Perhaps the SX4 has escaped the tax.

[amitpunjani]

Originally Posted by sajusherief

Though very minimal , a facelift like this was very much needed for it's survival. Actually a bit excited to see the official pics of the touch screen navigation. Would it be something like caska type ?? any guess ?

Buddy its not CASKA type of Navigation, its actually one of the best NAV units, provided by GARMIN and NAVTEQ Maps. GARMIN are considered to be Mercedes Benz when its comes of NAV hardware.

[ozzyrules]

Maruti doesn't seem to have updated their SX4 microsite www.marutisx4.com.
Is the AT still available?

[jkdas]

The problem with SX4 was that it (IMHO) cant sit 5 people comfortably due to the hump present in the midde of rear seat. The old SX4 also left like you are sitting in another Suzuki ( Swift/Ritz), like one feels like in a Fortuner ( interior like Innova). One had to feel more premium when you upgrade right?

Hope this new avatar helps but the competition is playing all dirty games they can.

Verna; looks better and interior is far superior in terms of specs and looks. Engine is another wow.

Rapid/Vento: better engines and built quality and now you get great offers.

Some pix from Gaadi to help understand the rear seat issue.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by jkdas

....The old SX4 also left like you are sitting in another Suzuki ( Swift/Ritz), like one feels like in a Fortuner ( interior like Innova). One had to feel more premium when you upgrade right?

Hope this new avatar helps but the competition is playing all dirty games they can...

You said it. After owning a 6L swift, there was NO way I felt like paying 10L for SX4. The interior just felt like the Swift, save for the odd beige shade.

And now these interiors feel like a downgrade after the latest Swift & Dzire. So, I really don't see this going anywhere. And as you put it down, the competition is long way ahead. Maruti should try to get the 2014 SX4 ASAP with the 1.6L MJD and with interiors which feel better than Dzire, if you want people to pay a premium over Dzire!

[aajohn]

I guess its just an attempt to milk whatever they can with the current model before the next generation arrives. I kinda liked the looks of the old version compared to this one.

[Warwithwheels]

The grille looks a lot like the Alto, albeit with a little less chrome.

[Monaro CV8]

Good marketing move by MSIL to boost sales in an already crippled market.
By not releasing a price hike, they are sure to rope in interested buyers.
The 2014 spec car will be the one to keep an eye out for.

[Prabhu]

Press release of the Launch:

http://www.marutisuzuki.com/Price-re...unchanged.aspx

Indian Express:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ma...-lakh/1094938/

The new SX4 diesel engine is tuned for better performance. The same 1.3 litre engine with a Super Turbo returns power of 90PS @ 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 200NM @ 1750 rpm.