Suzuki has launched a closely upgraded model of the S-Cross small SUV, which turns into its new flagship providing above the Vitara.
The excellent replace brings a extra engaging and utterly new design, extra trendy infotainment, and the corporate’s AllGrip all-wheel drive (AWD) system as commonplace.
The outgoing S-Cross was front-wheel drive (FWD) solely, like a lot of the category, however Suzuki is pushing this one as each extra succesful, and deserving of a premium value.
It enters the bustling small SUV market towards some very worthy small SUV opponents, however does it do sufficient to warrant extra consideration than its forgotten predecessor?
How a lot does the Suzuki S-Cross value?
The AWD-only Suzuki S-Cross is considerably dearer than the FWD-only previous mannequin – by between $10,000 and $12,500, the truth is. The entry S-Cross prices $40,490 earlier than on-road prices, climbing to $44,490 for the S-Cross Status.
To place this into context, a Kia Seltos with optionally available AWD prices between $37,290 and $42,700 earlier than on-roads relying on spec grades, whereas the Mazda CX-30 with AWD fitted is priced between $39,690 to $47,690. The up to date Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line AWD goes for $44,700.
The AWD-only Subaru XV is priced from $33,190 to $42,090, and the soon-to-launch Toyota Corolla Cross with a novel hybrid AWD opens at $42,250. Even the bigger Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with all-paw traction goes for between $35,990 to $41,990.
Checked out from one other perspective, a Hyundai Kona N, a correct efficiency SUV, prices lower than $5000 greater than the S-Cross Status at RRP.
All fashions bar the Subaru come cheaper with FWD too, and let’s be sincere – these vehicles not often go away tarmac. Comparatively well-equipped this Suzuki S-Cross could also be, nevertheless it’s not compelling worth at RRP. Being sourced from Europe (Hungary) provides value.
What’s the Suzuki S-Cross like on the within?
It’s instantly clear how Suzuki has saved the S-Cross’s weight down, with the doorways feeling very mild.
Base grades get material seats, and the Status provides leather-based accents on the bolsters. In each grades the seating actions are guide.
The steering wheel adjusts for rake and attain, and behind it sits two analogue gauges with a digital journey pc between – together with a speedo.
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S-Cross -
S-Cross Status
You sit up good and excessive, supplying you with a commanding highway view, and the big home windows make the inside really feel vivid and ethereal – particularly within the Status with its giant sunroof. Outboard visibility can be wonderful.
There are lots of carryover points to the inside, together with the local weather controls, wheel, door buttons, centre tunnel, and equipment shifter.
Fortunately Suzuki has up to date the infotainment system, and added some properly padded surfaces alongside the sprint – although the doorways and dash-top are nonetheless coated in more durable trims.
Flagship grades get a brand new 9.0-inch touchscreen with new software program, sat-nav, digital radio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay (and wired Android Auto), and an honest 360-degree digicam with a vey slick rotating opening sequence.
It’s the perfect Suzuki infotainment system we’ve used thus far, nevertheless it doesn’t do something competitor methods from different manufacturers do.
Sadly, the entry S-Cross grade makes do with a smaller 7.0-inch touchscreen which downgrades you to wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a rear-view digicam – although you continue to get embedded satellite tv for pc navigation.
You understand you’ve misplaced the 360 digicam within the basey, because the shortcut arduous button within the Status is changed by a cheap-looking clean.
The entire structure could be very easy to function, and constructed to final. Nevertheless, none of it feels notably premium – which the worth level would possibly recommend.
The S-Cross is identical dimension because the previous one and makes use of the identical wheelbase, although seems might be deceiving.
That makes it 4305mm lengthy, 1785mm broad, 1585mm tall, and 2600mm between the wheels. That makes it a smidgen smaller than a Kia Seltos or Mitsubishi ASX.
Regardless of these compact dimensions, rear legroom and foot room is adult-friendly, though there aren’t any rear vents or USB factors – only a cupholder-armrest. Status grades with the sunroof supply restricted rear headroom, placing a dent in practicality.
Boot capability is 430 litres, increasing to a most 1230L with the again seats down, folded 60:40. There’s a two-level loading flooring, small storage tubs, and a 12V socket, plus a short lived spare wheel beneath.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The drivetrain carries over unchanged: it’s a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol with energy and torque outputs of 103kW and 220Nm respectively.
It runs via a variable AWD system with an obtainable 50:50 locking mode, however which preferences the entrance tyres on tarmac.
The transmission is a six-speed torque-converter computerized.
Suzuki quotes a combined-cycle gas consumption determine of 6.2 litres per 100km, equating to emissions of 145g/km.
How does the Suzuki S-Cross drive?
There’s a allure to the way in which the S-Cross drives.
One factor taking part in within the Suzuki’s favour is its mild weight: simply 1290kg in Status guise. For some context, that’s greater than 100kg lighter than a Toyota Corolla hatchback.
Much less weight means extra efficiency, decreased gas use, and extra agile dealing with.
You sit up good and excessive and have good outboard imaginative and prescient, and on a winding highway it feels keen to alter path in agile vogue, with very mild but comparatively direct steering.
It additionally rides over pockmarked surfaces and grime roads fairly effectively, with its easy MacPherson strut entrance and torsion beam rear suspension setup having little bother retaining issues composed.
Noise, vibration and harshness ranges felt fairly effectively contained, though our temporary introductory launch drive didn’t comprise a lot in the way in which of coarse-chip surfaces. Our take a look at automobile’s Continental Contact Eco 6 tyres are good high quality.
One factor to notice is that, whereas I discovered a fast stint on a well known piece of twisty highway fairly enjoyable to barter within the S-Cross, the brakes rapidly confirmed extreme warmth retention – and I used to be not going above the velocity restrict.
As a result of that little ‘BoosterJet’ engine has so little weight to lug about, it feels sprightly, with loads of low-down torque and a simple-but-effective torque-converter auto. There are paddle shifters, however they’re made from cheap-feeling plastic and never all that ergonomically positioned.
An actual level of distinction is the AllGrip AWD system, which defaults to front-wheel drive in regular driving however can variably shuffle torque rearward when wanted. Choosing Sports activities mode modifications the throttle response and shift timing, although the steering feels no heftier.
Whereas clearance is restricted, the system’s low-grip Snow mode numbs the throttle and relaxes the ESP intervention, whereas its locking perform units the entrance to rear torque distribution to 50:50, serving to restrict wheel-spin on low-traction surfaces.
It’s completely succesful on a light-weight obligation path, or a snow journey.
What do you get?
S-Cross highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automated LED headlights
- Daytime operating lights
- Entrance fog lights
- Rear privateness glass
- Keyless entry and begin
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Roof rails
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- 7.0-inch touchscreen
- Satellite tv for pc-navigation
- Reverse digicam
- Wired Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- Digital radio
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Adaptive cruise management
- Handbook material seats
S-Cross Status provides
- 17-inch polished alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- 9.0-inch touchscreen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- 360-degree digicam
- Leather-based seat accents
Is the Suzuki S-Cross secure?
This up to date S-Cross lacks an ANCAP crash score for now. The previous model had 5 stars, albeit with a 2013 date stamp.
Customary security options embody:
- 6 airbags
- ISOFIX x 2, prime tethers x 3
- AEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management
How a lot does the Suzuki S-Cross value to run?
Suzuki’s gives a five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee with roadside help and capped-price servicing.
The corporate hasn’t divulged service costs for the up to date mannequin, however for context the 2022 S-Cross with the identical engine had capped servicing marketed at $329 for the primary, third and fifth companies, $429 for the second, and $529 for the fourth.
Intervals have been annual or 10,000km, whichever comes first, and we’d anticipate the 2023 mannequin to have the same schedule. We’ve reached out to Suzuki to verify this element and can replace the story after we know extra.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki S-Cross
The higher-looking new Suzuki S-Cross is likeable in a distinctly ‘Suzuki’ means.
It’s low on frills however excessive on wise touches, feels mild on its toes and zippy, has some delicate soft-road chops, is good and ethereal on the within, and affords extra expertise than different Suzukis do.
Nevertheless it additionally doesn’t actually stand out in any significant means above a protracted listing of fierce opponents, and its inside really feel and have listing don’t actually dwell as much as the worth being requested.
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