It’s unusual to see someone within the US market go head to head against the MINI. Perhaps the MINI’s success in the market has simply made it inevitable or Suzuki is trying to elevate their brand by association. Whatever the reason Suzuki is now running a primetime commercial in the US market spouting the virtues of it’s SX4:
MF Analysis: Outside the US Suzuki sells the rather good Swift Sport which does directly take aim on the MINI with decent results. And while the SX4 is rather underrated in the US market, it simply does not stack-up well against the MINI in almost anyway you look at it. Despite the higher numbers and the nanny-like all-wheel drive, the SX4 has none of the charm or performance that the MINI has even in stock form. In fact the only thing the SX4 has going for it (beyond the AWD for those who are concerned about such things) is the extra size or rear doors. Both of which aren’t MINI attributes anyway. Or at least they aren’t yet.
the funny part is that Fiat has the exactly same car called SEDICI which is cheaper than SX4. they are both the same cars even with the engines, transmission, etc. 🙂
and the truth is that fiat sold much more cars than Suzuki 🙂
also who wants to buy a japanese car that didn’t build in japan (Czech Rep. or Hungary) ?
Hmm. Still want to buy SX4 ? Don’t think so?
Agree with that Gabe, actually in ways could be a better comparison with the R60 once it hits the street. Still at the end of the day its and entry level awd car.
What’s really interesting is that this has been discussed on NAM for almost a week! Usually MF gets the scoop on pretty much everything.
But the comparisons have more than logic behind them. Just by making the comparison, Suzuki elevates thier car, no matter how bad the apples to oranges nature.
For all the new mpg conscious customers MINI has been getting, ones that only care about the “small” and “gas” factor, this is a great add.
Suzuki has always made a great little car that is a hit everywhere except the US.
Hey Matt – if you ever want to write anything for MF please feel free to just email me or use the contact link above. We’d love to have an additional voice on some of this stuff. Were also all super busy right now and don’t always get non-time sensitive material online the day we get the info.
I actually think Suzuki is an interesting manufacturer, finally getting out from all the terrible product that GM forced them to sell here. I’d never get this car, and I don’t think its any comparison to a mini, but it is a unique product and its not a bad car (milage stinks though). I’d really like to see them open their eyes and bring the Swift here.
The Suzuki Swift, here in Australia is often compared to MINI,I’m not sure if you have them in the US but here the Swift even has the bonnet strips. In fact it’s known by some as the “fake MINI”. I didn’t think Suzuki would take it a step further and add their SX4 to the comparison but I guess they have nothing to lose in trying.
I can only think that Suzuki is going for early position against the R60. The SX4 would be direct competitor to the crossover, it seems, and if the R60 starts well north of $20K, a $16K SX4 might be a very viable contender for a lot of people…
More competition for MINI is a good thing for us consumers. Keeps them innovating and, hopefully, it will keep prices down. I’d be happy for Suzuki to sell the Swift here, just like I’d be happy for Fiat to send the 500 our way. I’m told that Suzuki makes pretty good cars when they’re not selling rebadged Daewoos, and the SX4 and Swift get mostly positive reviews, from what I’ve read.
Not to mention MINI gets better gas mileage, is a six speed and almost 300 hundred pounds lighter than the SX4. If someone who sees this commercial does some real research they will see MINI is a better choice.
Still compare apples to apples, the SX4 versus the R60 and you have a more bloated Mini with AWD for a good comparison. I am betting the R60 will dwarf the SX4 in size and weight.
i dunno i think the sx4 is a pretty nice little car. it’s definitely more practical than the mini. it’s cheaper and less style-conscious. and the sx4 was actually jointly developed w/ fiat, who excels at making small cars. i love my r53, but it’s not the economy car that the original mini was. for its size, my r53’s gas mileage really isn’t stellar. the sx4 is definitely a nice little economy car, catering to a different crowd. having said that, i still don’t think it’s that out there for them to compare it to the cooper
In New Zealand, Suzuki is a success story. Ever since they introduced the little Escudo 4×4 range years ago. They are reliable and functional. The basic Suzuki Swift undercuts Mini One by NZ$11500 – MINI One NZ $29900m Swift NZ$17500. They even have their own Racing series here in NZ, which is a helluva lot cheaper than MINI Challenge. They have become one of NZ’s top selling models. Sure, its a Japanese car but USA is buying Toyotas and Hondas without prejudice.
MINI can’t compete, so don’t bother trying.
MINI has it’s own niche market and customers for different reasons.
not gonna lie, i bought the mini because i wanted the car, ever since i saw one of the new ones in europe in 2001. i love my r50, and will probably get another mini when the time comes. i wanted the car because of its aura and vibe, and a lot of the mini drivers i know bought one for the same reasons. not because they wanted an econobox or to save money at the pump, so i doubt this campaign will affect any of those drivers.
id like to see next years “suzuki sx4’s on the dragon” tho
or maybe “suzuki sx4’s take the states”
After my ’04 MINI left its CVT transmission on the side of the road after only 55K miles and 2 months out of warranty, i looked elsewhere, and yes, bought an SX4.
The 10 yr warranty, AWD, roominess and not dissimilar gas mileage won me over where the 2007 redesign and price tag of the 2007 MINI did not. The SX4 is only 5″ longer, so I can still fit 3 cars in a 2 car garage.
Sure Suzuki may not have the cache of the BMW built MINI, but I saved more than $7k and could care less about a gathering at the head of twisty road in Nowheresville, USA.
I’m still very happy with the R53. It has hardly missed a beat and hasn’t broken down in six and a half years. With my MCS having at least 25,000km between services, will be interesting to compare this with the Suzuki Swift & SX4 range. I’ll be picking up an SX4 brochure to see what’s on offer.
Mighty then the mini? Really, Suzuki cant even make a decent motorcycle. Look at the real specs, they compared the SX4 to a Cooper not a CooperS. I have to give them credit, but Suzuki has always been a throw away car. I rather spend 2 more thousand dollars have a car that is designed about an experience, rather then a cheap car!
I have an R56 and my mom drives an SX4 (traded in her original 96 Scooby Outback).
I love my R56 despite its inherent flaw (FWD is hard to get over for us Miata/BMW types).
The SX4 is a great car as well, Mom is very happy with it and I’ve been pleasantly surprised the times I’ve driven it. If it had a 5 speed auto it would be much peppier and the AWD is hard to touch if you live in places like we do (Canada).
Different buyers – Mini for auto-x and image conscious buyers, SX4 for price/utility conscious buyers.
Funny thing is I’ve been comparing the two cars for about a year except I’ve been comapring a used Mini to a new SX4. If Suzuki markets an SX4 WRC or a turbo diesel AWD version in the United States I’d buy it in a heatbeat. Right now the Mini is a little more tempting, especially with a turbo.
The SX4 is a car that looks good on paper but fails in execution. It is a slow, overweight pig with mediocre fuel economy. Its only saving grace is the AWD setup at that price point.
I sat in one last year at the autoshow and the thing reeks low rent cheap. It is what it is… A throw away disposable car after 4 or 5 years of use.
Suzuki needs to bring here their much more competitive Swift GT, that for what I have read, can give the MINI a runs for the money.
The Swift GT has been kept out of the NA market for several years and it is the only decently made vehicle in the Suzuki lineup.
ImNotViley – I kept the friends I met, I just got rid of the car ;-). We just take the BMW to any MINI car club events.
I, too, wish the SX4 was a bit zippier…but I didn’t buy this car to race around town, nor did I buy the MINI to do that either. A little more pickup is all I’d ask for.
really?!!!
well, i give them points for trying.
the funny part is that Fiat has the exactly same car called SEDICI which is cheaper than SX4. they are both the same cars even with the engines, transmission, etc. 🙂
and the truth is that fiat sold much more cars than Suzuki 🙂
also who wants to buy a japanese car that didn’t build in japan (Czech Rep. or Hungary) ?
Hmm. Still want to buy SX4 ? Don’t think so?
Agree with that Gabe, actually in ways could be a better comparison with the R60 once it hits the street. Still at the end of the day its and entry level awd car.
Hmm… 0 to 60 for the SX4 is 9.1 seconds compared to 8.5 seconds for the MINI Cooper. Apparently Mightier = Slower.
Very odd for them to target the MINI. Seems like the Fit or Scion would be better targets.
People are going to buy MINI because of its looks… the MINI is an icon, whereas the SX4 is just another SUV crossover.
Odd comparison.
What’s really interesting is that this has been discussed on NAM for almost a week! Usually MF gets the scoop on pretty much everything.
But the comparisons have more than logic behind them. Just by making the comparison, Suzuki elevates thier car, no matter how bad the apples to oranges nature.
Matt
For all the new mpg conscious customers MINI has been getting, ones that only care about the “small” and “gas” factor, this is a great add.
Suzuki has always made a great little car that is a hit everywhere except the US.
Hey Matt – if you ever want to write anything for MF please feel free to just email me or use the contact link above. We’d love to have an additional voice on some of this stuff. Were also all super busy right now and don’t always get non-time sensitive material online the day we get the info.
If a potential MINI owner is falls for this one, then maybe they shouldn’t be driving a MINI anyway.
There is one huge difference.
The SX4 is running in the WRC and the MINI has not.
Click on the link below:
[WRC SX4](<a href="http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/264681,14936,0,0/2008-Suzuki-SX4-WRC_Photo.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/264681,14936,0,0/2008-Suzuki-SX4-WRC_Photo.aspx</a>)
Happy Motoring,
Jack
That shows how popular and iconic MINI is!
I actually think Suzuki is an interesting manufacturer, finally getting out from all the terrible product that GM forced them to sell here. I’d never get this car, and I don’t think its any comparison to a mini, but it is a unique product and its not a bad car (milage stinks though). I’d really like to see them open their eyes and bring the Swift here.
The Suzuki Swift, here in Australia is often compared to MINI,I’m not sure if you have them in the US but here the Swift even has the bonnet strips. In fact it’s known by some as the “fake MINI”. I didn’t think Suzuki would take it a step further and add their SX4 to the comparison but I guess they have nothing to lose in trying.
Hi all, long time reader, first time commenter. 🙂
I can only think that Suzuki is going for early position against the R60. The SX4 would be direct competitor to the crossover, it seems, and if the R60 starts well north of $20K, a $16K SX4 might be a very viable contender for a lot of people…
More competition for MINI is a good thing for us consumers. Keeps them innovating and, hopefully, it will keep prices down. I’d be happy for Suzuki to sell the Swift here, just like I’d be happy for Fiat to send the 500 our way. I’m told that Suzuki makes pretty good cars when they’re not selling rebadged Daewoos, and the SX4 and Swift get mostly positive reviews, from what I’ve read.
At least it’s better looking that the newer MINI.(IMHO)
Not to mention MINI gets better gas mileage, is a six speed and almost 300 hundred pounds lighter than the SX4. If someone who sees this commercial does some real research they will see MINI is a better choice.
Put em both on the track and lets see who’s mightier…
Still compare apples to apples, the SX4 versus the R60 and you have a more bloated Mini with AWD for a good comparison. I am betting the R60 will dwarf the SX4 in size and weight.
i dunno i think the sx4 is a pretty nice little car. it’s definitely more practical than the mini. it’s cheaper and less style-conscious. and the sx4 was actually jointly developed w/ fiat, who excels at making small cars. i love my r53, but it’s not the economy car that the original mini was. for its size, my r53’s gas mileage really isn’t stellar. the sx4 is definitely a nice little economy car, catering to a different crowd. having said that, i still don’t think it’s that out there for them to compare it to the cooper
Hey Gabe!I’ll be glad to write something for MF!
Looks like the SX4 is going to roll over when the commercial starts to roll. Could it be a parachute and not a cape?
In New Zealand, Suzuki is a success story. Ever since they introduced the little Escudo 4×4 range years ago. They are reliable and functional. The basic Suzuki Swift undercuts Mini One by NZ$11500 – MINI One NZ $29900m Swift NZ$17500. They even have their own Racing series here in NZ, which is a helluva lot cheaper than MINI Challenge. They have become one of NZ’s top selling models. Sure, its a Japanese car but USA is buying Toyotas and Hondas without prejudice.
MINI can’t compete, so don’t bother trying.
MINI has it’s own niche market and customers for different reasons.
…So why… This advert compares both… That point would be interesting ! An inferiority complex maybe ?
not gonna lie, i bought the mini because i wanted the car, ever since i saw one of the new ones in europe in 2001. i love my r50, and will probably get another mini when the time comes. i wanted the car because of its aura and vibe, and a lot of the mini drivers i know bought one for the same reasons. not because they wanted an econobox or to save money at the pump, so i doubt this campaign will affect any of those drivers.
id like to see next years “suzuki sx4’s on the dragon” tho
or maybe “suzuki sx4’s take the states”
After my ’04 MINI left its CVT transmission on the side of the road after only 55K miles and 2 months out of warranty, i looked elsewhere, and yes, bought an SX4.
The 10 yr warranty, AWD, roominess and not dissimilar gas mileage won me over where the 2007 redesign and price tag of the 2007 MINI did not. The SX4 is only 5″ longer, so I can still fit 3 cars in a 2 car garage.
Sure Suzuki may not have the cache of the BMW built MINI, but I saved more than $7k and could care less about a gathering at the head of twisty road in Nowheresville, USA.
The SX4 is available in Australia also – see: <a href="http://automobiles.suzuki.com.au/overview.php?model=sx4_hatch" rel="nofollow ugc">http://automobiles.suzuki.com.au/overview.php?model=sx4_hatch</a> . Suzuki has sold a lot of Swifts down under at a price much lower than the Cooper & Cooper S. Agree that Suzuki appears to be using similar positioning with the SX4 against the upcoming R60.
I’m still very happy with the R53. It has hardly missed a beat and hasn’t broken down in six and a half years. With my MCS having at least 25,000km between services, will be interesting to compare this with the Suzuki Swift & SX4 range. I’ll be picking up an SX4 brochure to see what’s on offer.
I’m selling my JCW and getting one. I love that cape.
that’s a factory R56 JCW, you guys are just jealous the Mini doesn’t come with a cape, suckers!
gak
to em. it may be nowheresville, but i seriously cannot put a price on the community and the great people i have met with this car.
Mighty then the mini? Really, Suzuki cant even make a decent motorcycle. Look at the real specs, they compared the SX4 to a Cooper not a CooperS. I have to give them credit, but Suzuki has always been a throw away car. I rather spend 2 more thousand dollars have a car that is designed about an experience, rather then a cheap car!
I have an R56 and my mom drives an SX4 (traded in her original 96 Scooby Outback).
I love my R56 despite its inherent flaw (FWD is hard to get over for us Miata/BMW types).
The SX4 is a great car as well, Mom is very happy with it and I’ve been pleasantly surprised the times I’ve driven it. If it had a 5 speed auto it would be much peppier and the AWD is hard to touch if you live in places like we do (Canada).
Different buyers – Mini for auto-x and image conscious buyers, SX4 for price/utility conscious buyers.
Too bad it is freaking UGLY…..
One thing the SX4 has over the MINI… it will roll over on it’s side faster than the MINI in a high-speed turn. LOL
the announcer omitted the last line:
“The SX4. More economical than the MINI– until you drive it off the lot.”
Funny thing is I’ve been comparing the two cars for about a year except I’ve been comapring a used Mini to a new SX4. If Suzuki markets an SX4 WRC or a turbo diesel AWD version in the United States I’d buy it in a heatbeat. Right now the Mini is a little more tempting, especially with a turbo.
Also the resale value of Suzuki is a lot more than a mini. I like the SX4 but it falls just short of what I want.
oops sorry it should read a lot less.
The SX4 is a car that looks good on paper but fails in execution. It is a slow, overweight pig with mediocre fuel economy. Its only saving grace is the AWD setup at that price point.
I sat in one last year at the autoshow and the thing reeks low rent cheap. It is what it is… A throw away disposable car after 4 or 5 years of use.
Suzuki needs to bring here their much more competitive Swift GT, that for what I have read, can give the MINI a runs for the money.
The Swift GT has been kept out of the NA market for several years and it is the only decently made vehicle in the Suzuki lineup.
ImNotViley – I kept the friends I met, I just got rid of the car ;-). We just take the BMW to any MINI car club events.
I, too, wish the SX4 was a bit zippier…but I didn’t buy this car to race around town, nor did I buy the MINI to do that either. A little more pickup is all I’d ask for.