Why every single North-American car enthusiast should moan the departure of Suzuki

"CondemnedtoaSlowrolla" (girdg) 12/09/2013 at 09:12 • Filed to: BringBackSuzuki, Econoboxes, Rants, JerryWasARacecarDriver, BaconTastesGreatWithStoutBeerForBreakfast

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I went to visit my family last weekend with my girlfriend. It's a 230km drive and we did the trip in her 2009 Yaris. Base model, 5spd manual. As with any japanese econobox, the Yaris isn't too bad of a car. It goes forward, stops takes turns and has seats. It takes you where you want to go, when you want to, sips gas, has a rudimentary but simple and easy to maintain powerplant and even alows you to listen to music whilre you're getting from-A-to-B ! It was also the first time I drove a japanese subcompact in 2 years, since I had sold a 2001 Corolla to buy a 2003 SVT Focus.

The Focus being the exclusive car I had driven in a while, I was thinking the Yaris was boring. I even thought it sucked at first. The little SVT is no race car, but it still is decently peppy and engaging in a way most cars aren't. So driving the little Yaris, I was convincing myself "Well, that is not sooo bad. I guess it's just my standards that got higher. It'll get you where you want, won't it ? It'll do so cheaply and reliably, that's really all that a subcompact needs to do.".

So i used that magical box and numbed the pain with some tunes. Near the end of the trip, I eventually came to the conclusion that the Yaris was, in fact, a good subcompact car. It got me from point A to point B without any hassle, sipped gas on my way there, all that for a very low price of purchase.

Sure, the interior was bland, plasticky, lackluster (as evidenced by the above picture). The brakes were mushy, the steering wheel offered no feedback, the shifter throw was worse than on an 18 wheeler and the pedals were designed to keep people from heel and toeing, I swear. But "Hey", I thought, " I guess some things have to be sacrificed when building a car on a budget, right ?".

So, everything was fine and dandy, and I was finally happy driving the Yaris. I had conviced myself that moving was all I really needed that car to do, and that I should enjoy just driving where I wanted.

Or so I thought. Coming home, my parent's asked me to run errands. "Take the new 'Zuk " My dad said. My dad was a long time Suzuki buyer. His first one was a 1993 Sidekick 4dr he bought used in 1996, he owned every style and generation of Vitara (even the 1st Gen XL-7, which died saving his life) and prior to that one, had a first year SX4 Sport, 2wd 5spd manual. His first reflex upon knowing his beloved brand was discontinued was to run to his usual dealership and to trade in his 2009 SX4 for a brand new one before he couldn't to it anymore. So he ended up with a "Subaru blue", 4dr hatchback SX4. AWD, 6spd manual transmission. 4 wheel discs. Sat-nav. It was as loaded as any Suzuki could be... and it cost just a teeny bit more than my girlfriend's Yaris.

So I jump in the little blue wagon's seat. Surprisingly comfy; Good lateral support interesting material. And then place my feet on the pedals; Superb placement, heel-toe seems like a breeze, clutch is soft, but not as soft as I would have expected. Grab the wheel; nice size, comfortable, dare I say, quality feel. Start the car; what a surprisingly lovely exhaust note, quite a bit livelier and stimulating than the tractor noise the little Toyota 1.6L had been making for the past 2 hours. I drove off...

"What a perfect automobile !!" I thought, grinning in excitement after just 800m. It then came to my mind that I had been driving a Yaris for 2,5 hours, and that my Jalop senses might have went numb. So I took a twisty, deserted back road and pushed the little Suzuki a bit harder. It was responsive, commmunicative, predictable, engaging....FUN !

So, for the price of a Yaris, with all of it's body roll and rear drum brakes featuring blandness, my dad had bought a fun, engaging, practical little AWD hatchback with a nice (by class standards) interior. He had bought an enthusiast's car. Not the kind of enthusiast's car that Jalops get wet dreams about, no, the one that anyone who loves driving will recognize and smile while taking the wheel. The kind of car that anyone even not interested in driving might realize that there can be something more to their commute. It was the well executed meatball spaghetti of cars. Not fancy cuisine, but always enjoyable.

So I then started to think " What else could he have got, would Suzuki have been out of business for the past 2 years ? ". Nissan's offering in the segment was pretty similar to the Yaris, Honda's wasn't too bad, but was quite a bit more expensive, Mazda's was nice, but alot less roomy and FWD. Subaru didn't offer a subcompact since the lovely Justy. Mitsubishi's new Mirage is a joke.

And that is when I realized that the second to last true Japanese manufacturer was gone. Suzuki stuck to what made Japanese cars popular when they first arrived on this continent: Simple, well built, enjoyable machines that offered more than the competition, for a similar price....and, ultimately, that is what killed them. Let's just hope Mazda won't suffer the same faith. At least the new Fords and Fiats don't seem too bad.

dinobot666 > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 09:21

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The Yaris hatch is a much better packaged vehicle than the sedan is. That being said, the drivetrain will probably outlive you.

Joe_Limon > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 09:23

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The rental yaris I had earlier this year was terribad. I could handle the cheapness if the car was cheap but had good fuel economy. But the fuel economy sucked. My awd impreza with more power nets the same fuel economy. I could find no aspect of the car worth wanting.

CalzoneGolem > dinobot666 12/09/2013 at 09:25

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better than them both dying at the same time.

Wacko > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 09:30

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I for one love my 2010 SX4 manual 6 speed AWD. I found that this car is the perfect car for canadian winters, and so fun to hoon in winter.

I even put AT tires on mine, tires lifted the car by 2 inches. So sad to see suzuki leave. Now I have no idea what my next car will be, since not many more AWD manuals left.

the only problem with the sx4 is the gas tank, since the awd only has a 40 l tank, and the non awd have 45 l. the awd is harder on gas.

CondemnedtoaSlowrolla > dinobot666 12/09/2013 at 09:33

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A lifetime of torture ! :P

Jayhawk Jake > Wacko 12/09/2013 at 09:35

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Okay you've got to share a picture of your car. A lifted SX4 sounds badass

Wacko > Jayhawk Jake 12/09/2013 at 09:52

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I wanted to lift, was going to next summer, but I put the biggest tire possible without the lift. So far I like to look, and the tires alone raised the car by 2 inches. I bought some general grabber AT-2 215-65-16. clubsx4.com has many members with lifted sx4s, here is a pic not mine, but just to show you the difference in size vs stock tires. And this car does have the 2 inch lift kit.

Jayhawk Jake > Wacko 12/09/2013 at 10:07

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That's awesome.

Ilike_cougars > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 11:21

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America has definitely missed this little gem. My buddy had one, I would have been first in line if they brought this here..

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Ilike_cougars 12/09/2013 at 11:53

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Too bad I was almost run over by one of these a month ago in Alexandria Virginia. They have invaded.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 11:55

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I was mad the SX4 was such a good car after I drove my GFs(now ex) So obviously I couldn't buy one since she had one. Grrrr.

Turk > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 11:59

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Actually, I always thought the SX4 might make an interesting DD that you could also rallyx a bit, very practical, cheap enough to be a winter beater where that's a thing, etc.

I always liked hatchbacks and AWD, and the philosophical beauty of my Suzuki SV650 (just enough power, cheap, hard to kill... etc) had me wondering if the awd SX4's were maybe the same kind of gem, i.e. nothing too fancy on the face of it but actually does a lot of things better than some considerably more expensive competitors. I liked this little write-up.

Ilike_cougars > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 12/09/2013 at 12:00

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Wait!! there is a federalized Suzuki Swift in the US?

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Ilike_cougars 12/09/2013 at 12:05

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What else could it have been? It certainly wasn't a SX4. Only two doors. This chick flew into the shopping center and I almost got run over. One because I was in the cross walk while this babe flew at me. Two because I was like whoa is that a swift? then I wiki'ed it later. Maybe I missed that we didn't get them.

Ilike_cougars > Ilike_cougars 12/09/2013 at 12:46

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Ilike_cougars > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 12/09/2013 at 12:47

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We never got them officially, I do know of a few that were used as press cars, and a few were sent over to dealers to gauge response, but not sure if any were sold to the public. Probably some ex Suzuki employee was able to grab one before they shut shop.. But yeah chick drivers seriously, keep your distance, especially from the ones driving a Jetta or white BMW 3 series..

automistje > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/09/2013 at 13:59

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Nice piece!

I've been driving a 05' Yaris for work 'cross Brussels for the last five years. I admit I was disappointed hearing my company-car being a Yaris. But being a 1.3l with 'almost' 90 hp for an almost 900 kilos, it grew on me. Of course my VW Golf V TDI is much more accomplished, with its multilink suspension and great amounts of torque.

The Golf stops reving at 3000 rpm, the Yaris just starts at 3000. And how. In 2nd gear 'til 100 kph, a hoot at traffic lights, without risking my license, but slapping around a lot of bigger cars :-D

I even got it's (digital) speedo maxing out once, apparantly it doesn't pass 199 kph... Ok, I had a bit of a downhill on the highway, and the doors screamed as if they would fall off. That's just a detail.

My boss told me a few weeks ago he would replace it by a VW Polo. I'm now grasping every last oppo-rtunity to get to those 6000 rpms...

Gonna miss the bastard.

RustySpanner > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/11/2013 at 17:50

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I agree the Suzukis get overlooked far too often. I took a mates Kizashi out for a spin and found it to be a blast; good looking, and a genuine drivers sedan, with all the trimmings, for a very reasonable price. Why Accords and Camrys sell and these don't is beyond me.

Lyle Petersminkle > Joe_Limon 12/11/2013 at 18:12

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It's almost nothing more to get a midsize car. A few bucks at most. It's not going to be $20 a day more. Why would you torture yourself with such a small and cheap car?

Kinetis > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/11/2013 at 18:12

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I think the new SX4 would've sold like hotcakes in North America. A little bigger, riding a little higher, AWD, and most importantly, not as awkward looking.

Joe_Limon > Lyle Petersminkle 12/11/2013 at 18:15

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Two reasons.

1. "Haha, I am gonna get this car for my child and make sure they never become dangerous gearheads risking their lives in hoodlum street races"

2. "Dawwwe it's so cute, mommy I think you should get that one"

David Gabel > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/11/2013 at 18:20

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Still don't understand the center cluster idea. To me it seems rather dangerous. But my reason is rather lame I am sure. My reasoning is that instead of having the cluster in your peripheral vision infront of you, you have to look to the right to check your 'vitals' rather than watching the road better. But that's probably just me.

Doncommando > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/11/2013 at 18:41

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Suzuki North America dropped the ball big time, espcially in marketing. I don't even remember the last time I saw a Suzuki ad in any form of media.

Frogger49 > Joe_Limon 12/11/2013 at 20:10

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I've never driven the Yaris before, but that's the same complaint I had about the previous generation Kia Rio, which I rented from two separate rental agencies in Orlando (Payless Rent-a-Car (offsite from the airport) and E-Z Rent-a-Car (at the airport)). Ok power, but substandard fuel mileage for the size. I would go through the better part of a half a tank of fuel driving from Longwood to Daytona Beach and back (this roundtrip is something like 82 miles)), not to mention the fact that the humid air did wonders for vision at night. I suppose Opposite Lock readers might like the crank windows and the ability to turn off the traction control with the push of a button, but that thing stunk big time. Also, I'm 5'5" and that thing is a little tight inside. A real penalty box. I can't imagine what a larger person would think of it. The picture included is the first of 2 penalty boxes I rented. The second one was orange in color, which I liked, but it was just as much of a penalty box as this white one.

Ignorance of NASCAR is a Jalopnik Trophy > Turk 12/11/2013 at 22:56

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I love my SX4 - best snow car ever, especially on snow tires (unbelievable). I have rallycrossed it for a full season and, while fun, not really fast or light enough to keep up with the subies. I'm sure the driver has something to do with that as well.

Next year I will run two wheel drive in the NX2000 I scored off of craigslist.

As an owner, I was bummed about losing Suzuki for sure but the SX4 is absolutely still a versatile and fun swiss army car ideal for Colorado.

Ignorance of NASCAR is a Jalopnik Trophy > Wacko 12/11/2013 at 23:09

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I agree that the tank is too small.

sadfasdf > Ilike_cougars 12/11/2013 at 23:35

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Right next to DC, it could have been a diplomat's car. They can bring pretty much anything they want to drive into the US. For that matter it could have been a tourist from Mexico or even overseas, you can bring a car in temporarily for that, too.

Head on down to Tucson and you'll see a ton of non US-market vehicles on Mexican plates.

Alex87f > Ilike_cougars 12/12/2013 at 03:15

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I agree. Mostly because I own one :).

JalopniKizashi > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 03:19

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THIS, my friends, is another reason why every single North-American car enthusiast should moan the departure of Suzuki. While it's not going to win an off-the-line battle wis zee Germans, there is no better looking or handling mid-size sedan for this price point. Period. I paid 19,500 for a fully loaded 2013 Kizashi SLS AWD with 5k miles on it. I LOVE driving around my 20k exotic and watching people stare in confused amazement. Makes every day more fun.

OttoMaddox > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 04:12

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Back in 2003 I rented a Suzuki Aerio for a week. I still remember the seats. Now I never drove a BMW or Porsche but I still think the seats were excellent. My lower back and ass will let me know quickly and in no uncertain terms whether a seat is good or not. The Mustang I owned at the time had truly horrible seats; torture devices that Torquemada would have been proud of. My current VW Jetta has typical German seats-the bottom cushion is as rock hard as a church pew and just as fun to sit in. It looks like your dad's 'Zuke has the same good seats.

The Aerio wasn't a bad little car. If I were car shopping in that class 10 years ago I might have considered one despite it's quirky looks; manual trans of course.

Looks like I can get a 5-speed wagon for about $3500 locally; hmmm... http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/422688…

Alex87f > David Gabel 12/12/2013 at 06:01

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I believe the main reason for it is cost saving. With it, the number of RHD-specific components is greatly reduced.

Eric Sundell > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 07:30

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SX4's are actually a really great little car. I did a comparison of it and a 06 GTI back to back, and dare I say I preferred the Suzuki more? I really hated the VW's clutch feel and it felt heavier, well it was.... But the little SX4 stuck to the road, was peppy, and LOADs cheaper than that GTI. It was a real nice overlooked car.

jpunk > Alex87f 12/12/2013 at 09:34

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It's a "soccer mom" console, located in a spot that's easy to jab your eyes at between shouting at your kids in the back seat and panicked checks on the road ahead.

boxrocket > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 10:04

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Absolutely this.

The SX4 was (and still is) on my short list of acceptable newer cars to purchase for not much money should my DD 1990 Volvo die or become unreliable (which will then mean I can turn it into a race car). Cavernous room, excellent sightlines enhanced by large mirrors, comfy, good ergonomics, rare such that few have them, and AWD in the realm of FWD only. If I ever find a copper, seafoam, blue, or gray "crossover" version in good shape for the right price, it's a very likely buy.

This has been reinforced by my job at a national used-car dealership, where we get just about every make and model under the sun (e.g. we have a Panamera S fifteen feet away from our one Yaris and a small fleet of Versas). The Yaris and Versas are ok, not great, but ok, and obviously appliances. Ditto corollas (ugh), camrys, accords, and pretty much any other Japanese car other than a Mazda or Suzuki, who seem to be bastions of enthusiast manufacturing. The American cars are similar, though the new Fords are a delight, and the Korean twins - Hyundai and Kia - are making some really good stuff. The gm vehicles are pure rubbish, the stereotypical moving "penalty box", and I dislike even having

to get in them.

Suzuki will definitely be missed by those who want a reasonably-priced, value-packed car that's notably different than the rest if the herd. I hope Fiat brings the Sedici (the SX4's Italian twin) over ASAP.

David Gabel > Alex87f 12/12/2013 at 10:30

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I had the feeling that's the cause for it, but it still surprises me that it stuck around.

April_N_ > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 11:51

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Can I just say that a blue 6-speed SX4 crossover is kinda one of my dream cars.... I mean seriously the exhaust note on them is great. It's got a freaking locking dif! It's literally the best little utilitarian get you anywhere for cheap car and do it in style with some fun.... It's absolutely a fantastic car.

Speedmerchant > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 12:14

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Used to hoon the hell out of an old Swift GT! Fish ranch road outside of SF was a freakin riot!

The WB > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 13:10

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I rented a 2013 Yaris for a business trip last year, and while the slushbox was slushy, and the interior, well, economical, it wasn't without its charms. Something that tiny and chuckable was at least good for a grin now and again.

I have never driven a Suzuki, but I have a few friends who have owned them and will now own nothing but - they are not car enthusiasts by any stretch, but they got bitten by the taste of what a car that is fun and economical can do for your daily commute. Suddenly getting home the most direct and fastest route isn't a necessity, you can meander and see new sights.

Good read, thanks for sharing.

Bf92 > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/12/2013 at 13:17

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I love these kinds of articles about less appreciated cars. I've always kind of liked the SX4 myself. Necer had the chance to drive one

Ilike_cougars > Alex87f 12/12/2013 at 14:32

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Nice! where are you from though? post a picture if you can, my buddy had a supercharger kit on it, and he was definitely getting about 200hp out of it.. fun car man.

Ilike_cougars > sadfasdf 12/12/2013 at 14:37

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Yeah, I saw a Renault Alpine 110 at a cars and coffee here, and started chatting with the owner, apparently it was made in Mexico for some time, and he imported it from there. That is a car Id love to own..

Alex87f > Ilike_cougars 12/13/2013 at 07:22

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I'm from France but I live in Belgium. Here's a picture of the car at a trackday:

Mine's bone stock so it only has its 125-ish horsepower, but the chassis is so good that it's really fun as-it-is! Sort of a FWD hatchback Miata, in a way...

I've always thought a supercharger would be a nice addition to the car but it's my DD and I have no knowledge of extensive modifications like these so I didn't even consider it! Must be nice though!

Ilike_cougars > Alex87f 12/13/2013 at 11:47

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Nice ride! Yeah its a fun little car, very capable chassis. I haven't driven the stock one but, I'll tell you his was a total rocket, He had the Greddy kit I think, don't remember exactly. Most superchargers are usually bolt one, with a reflash of the ECU shouldnt take you too much work I think, try its worth the effort.

flubuk > CondemnedtoaSlowrolla 12/23/2013 at 16:53

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I've got an SX4. Best car I've owned since a 77 Honda Accord...yes, it does bring back what was good about Japanese hatchbacks...zippy, quality, for a good price. Suzuki probably sold these at a loss for years to try to get some marketshare in the US. Didn't work, so they cut their losses and pulled out. But yes, Suzuki are good cars. They didn't bring the Swift and others to the US...that might have saved them. Selling re-badged Daewoo's via a deal with GM (a.k.a. the devil) probably killed them. Those were shit.

Atomic Buffalo > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 12/26/2013 at 17:17

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Why not? If anybody asks, you just tell them it's your fondest memory of that relationship. Keep the best of it, ditch the rest of it.