Suzuki outlines 2012 lineup changes

While it's still too early for actual photos, American Suzuki has offered an early verbal insight at what we can expect to see in the next model year. Sales are up 17 percent so far this year, and to help keep that upturn rolling, the automaker's entire lineup will receive a series of modest but meaningful refinements and improvements. Heading the revamp list is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara, which adds a new Ultimate Adventure Edition that matches high-profile looks with high-value pricing.

Visual highlights of the new Ultimate Adventure Edition include black chrome-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, unique water-resistant two-tone heated seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, and integrated outside turn and fog lamps. The standard navigation system also will add voice control and an enhanced suite of standard interactive features highlighted by real-time traffic information, weather forecasts, 3D maps, lane guidance and Google Local Point-of-Interest Search. Starting in the spring, the 2012 Grand Vitara will get a new tailgate design that eliminates the exterior-mounted spare on some models.

Leading the changes on the passenger car side of things, the mid-size 2012 Suzuki Kizashi sedan also bolsters its S/SE/GTS/SLS family with a new SL Leather Edition that brings primo interior trappings at a pricepoint $2,000 below the SLS. The 2012 Suzuki SX4 family steps up its game with an upgraded Garmin navigation system (standard in the SX4 Sport Sedan) that adds voice recognition and a suite of interactive capabilities similar to the ones in the Grand Vitara. All SX4 sedans get standard Electronic Stability Control and rear disc brakes while the SX4 Sedan SE automatic benefits from nearly an eight-percent bump in fuel economy and the SX4 Crossover models with automatic transmissions add standard alloy wheels. Finally, the four-cylinder versions of the 2012 Suzuki Equator midsize pickup get standard Electronic Stability Control, making it standard across the lineup.