Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Suzuki Lineup
For the 2011 model year, Suzuki adds a few trims and safety features to the lineup, particularly with its important Kizashi and SX4 models. We break down the changes below.
For the 2011 model year, the Kizashi gets two rebranded trims and some fine-tuning to its individual features. The 2011 Kizashi will be available in S, SE, and Sport GTS and Sport SLS (formerly the GTS and STS, respectively) trims. “Sport” denotes the new sporty appearance as well as the lowered ride height and sharper steering feel on the two upper-level trims. Each Sport trim now has a lower grille, body side sill extensions, lower body moldings, a rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels. Besides that, the SE model upgrades from 17-inch wheels to 18-inch alloys. There’s also a new backup camera that’s now part of the navigation package available on the Sport GTS and Sport SLS trims.
2011 SX4
The SX4 family, which includes the SX4 sedan, SX4 crossover and SX4 Sport, gets new safety features and new trims for 2011. Rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags are now standard for a total of eight airbags in each model. In addition to larger rear head restraints, the SX4 now meets the government’s new 2014 side-impact safety standards, three years ahead of schedule, Suzuki says.
The Garmin navigation unit in the SX4 receives a software upgrade that allows the unit to display real-time traffic, weather forecast, movie listings, flight arrival/departure, lowest gas price and Google search information. The SX4 sedan gets a new Anniversary Edition trim, which is essentially last year’s LE Popular Value Package trim with the addition of 17-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, remote keyless entry and paddle shifters. All other trims remain the same. The Suzuki SX4 starts at $13,499, which is $140 more than last year’s model.
2011 Grand Vitara
The only update to the Grand Vitara is its standard navigation unit. Suzuki and Garmin have upgraded the unit to the latest Garmin 1600 model, which includes real-time traffic, weather forecast, movie listings, flight arrival/departure, lowest gas price and Google search information.
2011 Equator
There are no content changes to the Equator, which is based off the Nissan Frontier. The Equator is available in extended-cab and crew-cab body styles with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The Equator starts at $17,595, the same price as last year. There are no price increases for the 2011.
Suzuki sales have never really recovered from the dissolution of General Motors’ partnership with the company, which gave Suzuki cheap Daewoo-sourced vehicles (like the Verona) and a large seven-passenger crossover (the XL7). So far this year, sales are down 49.4%. If Suzuki makes the Kizashi and SX4 more affordable, the automaker could see a sales boost.
We’ll keep you posted on full pricing details once Suzuki makes them available.
2011|Suzuki|SX4
2011|Suzuki|Equator
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They should get to know Mitsubishi. Maybe they could split the cost of a boat back to Japan.
If they will make cars like Kizashi and call them compact and not "family" the Mitsubishi might sail alone. But it might be just too late for Suzuki.
I just can't believe that Mitsu just updated Endeavor and not the Galant, which was popular car at one time, until they made it a boat of cr@p.
@ Tony,
OT here...
My guess is that Mitsu has no full control of Endeavor or the Galant. These are really Chrysler vehicles per se - JGC & Charger respectively. Although Chrysler's still making both for Mitsu, I don't believe that there's any further "joint effort" b/n the 2 (in terms of update), other than pure manufacturing agreement.
The Endeavour and Galant have no relation to the JGC and Charger whatsoever.
AR,
those two cars have 0 in common with JGC or Charger.
Come on, charger is RWD... Endeavor is all on its own. And its sales are down and down every year.
Mitsu screwed up big way. They had popular models they made unpopular. I remember Eclipse, 3000... I saw these cars on the road all the time. But I have not seen a new Eclipse in months.
It was something I read several years ago. It could be wrong...
When DaimlerChrysler had a controlling interest in Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi was tasked with creating the platform currently used on the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Doge Journey.
Fundamentally all of these vehicles are on the same platform underpinning designed by Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi and Chrysler also share the same four-cylinder World Engine architecture which is also used by Hyundai.
If you have not driven a suzuki Kizashi, drive one, it is a great car,great value, the fit and finish could not be better. Suzuki is big worldwide,get out of moms house and drive a kizashi, it will blow you away, then put yourself on a boat to japan, these suzuki cars are flying off the shelf.
Jim,
these Suzukis are so not flying anywhere and soon enough they will just disappear altogether.
While Kizashi is a respectable car, the mistake of marketing may cost Suzuki big.
Mistake number 1 - marketing Kizashi as family sedan. No family will buy it. It is too small.
Mistake number 2 - not marketing Kizashi as youthful, sporty car.
Mistake number 3 - not giving it a nice 2 -liter engine with good efficiency. Because frankly, Kizashi is a "twin" of Mazda3. And it should of play against Mazda3, not Audi or traditional family sedans.
So, you know. Sizuki doesn't help themselves a bit.