The compact crossover market is so hot that even a moribund auto maker like Suzuki is getting into it – and what you’re looking at could very well be the next Vitara.
Built in Hungary, the new B-segment CUV is expected to resemble the iv-4 Concept shown above. With a 2015 launch, we’ll have to wait a while to find out whether it’s a rugged off-roader like past Suzukis, or just another milquetoast urban runabout. The latter would be more profitable, thanks to leveraging the Swift architecture, while providing a more civilized driving experience – perhaps at the expense of Suzuki’s brand image. Or whatever is left of it.
Loosing Suzuki was definitely a major loss to the US automotive market . Fine , decently priced , reasonably innovative , quality cars that most every man [ or woman ] could afford . With them now jumping [ back ] full force into a segment [ compact CUV/SUVs ] they all but created back in the 80s it’ll be a bigger loss than ever
Why couldn’t we of lost Mitsubishi instead ? Now theres a brand that should of gone away ages ago !
As stated below (got posted when I was checking) Suzuki is the 9th largest automaker in the world (at least in 2012). Ahead of Renault, BMW and Daimler. Looks like the merger puts Fiat/Chrysler ahead of Suzuki, but individually they were smaller.
Of course, I have no credibility in this department. My driveway holds a Mitsubishi and a Suzuki.
So, you’re objecting to the term “moribund”? I agree, that might be an America-centric term for a company that is a major player in Japan and India, and thumbs its nose at Volkswagen. Incidentally, I wonder how that tiff is going – still working its way through the Euro-courts?
I liked the last Grand Vitara and the Kizashi.
That’s about it, really.
SX4 hatches were reasonably popular around these parts in 08-11, and I can definitely see the appeal.
I see those occasionally, and a woman at work -had- one, and I think just got rid of it. They’re so small!
I think what killed those was the fuel economy, right?
I wouldn’t say it’s fair to call Suzuki “moribund”. While they were getting nowhere in the US, they still have a major presence in much of the rest of the world.
If there’s one thing we’re not missing, it’s yet another CUV.
Yeah, not really missing another CUV, but I do miss Suzuki.
I remember driving a 1996 Esteem as a rental and thinking, “I like this car! It’s an honest little thing”. Put together well, and for what it was, drove nicely.
There is a mistake somewhere in the article. Suzuki has just launched its Hungary-built B-segment crossover. It’s called the SX4 S-Cross and replaces directly the SX4.
This looks like a C-segment crossover (think VW Tiguan). I don’t know if it’s going to be added to the European plant. It could use the capacity freed by Fiat leaving the place.
Now this SX4 S-Cross isn’t bad looking (although it could use a name change). Why couldn’t Suzuki have marketed that car here? Or even the Swift. The Swift certainly would have given the Yaris and Versa hatchbacks a run for their money…
Wow, that does look good! To me, this is what a C-Max should have looked like.
The previous Suzuki SX4, as sold in the US, was actually a Fiat/Suzuki product. Designed by Fiat, built by Suzuki.
Suzuki SX4 and Reno aren’t bad little cars…and that’s saying a LOT coming from a non-fan of Japanese product like me. Made all the more attractive by their new orphan status.
Eh, the Reno’s a Daewoo – basically a Forenza hatch. Looks nice, but sort of crap. The SX4 isn’t a bad little car though.
I seriously thought that was a Murano.
No way man, check out those beautifully parallel belt and roof lines!
“beautifully parallel belt and roof lines”
Yes! yes yes yes yes yes yes Yes!
New version of the S-Cross?
http://www.suzuki.com.au/vehicles/models/s-cross/model-variant/s-cross-glx-prestige/overview
No! no no no no no no No!
It’s got hikey-pants in the back.
It’s got that saggy roof line too.
Hikey pants + saggy roof = mail slot rear window.
Yes! (etc.)
Just got back from Spain (for the F1 race) and saw Suzukis everywhere- I suspect this is true for most of Europe.
seems moronic to use the term moribund.