Suzuki won’t be current within the US, however in Europe and Asia it maintains a variety of merchandise centered on metropolis vehicles and SUVs. The SX4 S-Cross is a vital a part of the SUV lineup, so we needed to check the not too long ago revealed third-generation mannequin to see how a lot it has improved over its predecessor, and the way nicely it stacks up towards the fierce competitors.

Improved However Sedate Styling

Beginning with the outside, it’s clear that the SX4 S-Cross is totally redesigned over the earlier era regardless of utilizing the identical underpinnings and retaining an similar footprint. Measuring 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) lengthy, it’s nicely into the B-SUV phase, since it’s smaller than all C-SUVs. General, the S-Cross resembles an old-school family-friendly SUV, not within the sportier and sexier method of rivals just like the Peugeot 2008, the Renault Captur, and the Ford Puma.

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On the entrance, Suzuki designers gave it a extra aggressive look, shedding the weirdness of the outdated mannequin and making it look extra like a correct SUV. The grille has grown and the headlights are positioned greater. The entrance bumper has much less unpainted plastic, a smaller-than-usual aluminum-style skidplate, and Jeep Renegade-style fake intakes integrating the flip indicators and the foglights.

Equally, the profile has much less cladding on the doorways, boxier wheelarches above the 17-inch wheels, and a well-recognized windowline. The rear finish is the place opinions are divided, with the related taillights poking out of the bodywork and looking out fairly massive for the dimensions of the automobile. The narrower rear windscreen, the bigger tailgate, and the rugged-looking rear bumper are welcome enhancements over its predecessor. Nonetheless, in our eyes, the brand new S-Cross is just not as pleasing to have a look at because the getting older Vitara.

Roomy And Sensible However Not Fancy And Premium

Stepping contained in the cabin, the very first thing you discover is the brand new free-standing 9-inch infotainment touchscreen that has been repositioned above the local weather vents, flanked by a extra fashionable insert on the dashboard that includes a soft-touch materials. This seems to be and feels a lot nicer than the outdated S-Cross, exhibiting {that a} small change could make an enormous distinction. Suzuki’s new infotainment has fashionable graphics and fonts, plus a revised menu construction that’s straightforward to get used to, not dropping the simplicity of the confirmed outdated system. The always-on touch-sensitive shortcuts on the underside can be higher off as precise buttons, however at the very least the display is responsive. Apparently, the S-Cross is the one Suzuki product in Europe that advantages from the brand new infotainment, in contrast to different Asian markets the place it’s already extensively utilized by nearly all of the Suzuki vary.

Setting apart the infotainment and major dashboard space, the remainder of the inside is essentially carried over from the earlier era, together with the plasticky door playing cards, the local weather controls on the decrease a part of the middle console, the AllGrip selector, the three-spoke steering wheel, and the analog instrument cluster. The latter seems to be fairly dated by in the present day’s requirements, with the LCD display from the earlier decade not with the ability to match the configurable digital instrument clusters of rival fashions. Perhaps Suzuki ought to add the brand new cluster that was not too long ago launched as an choice on the closely-related Suzuki Grand Vitara in India.

Our S-Cross was the flagship GLX trim which implies it will get the 9-inch infotainment (as a substitute of the 7-inch of lesser trims), leather-based and heated seats, dual-zone local weather management, a 360-degree digital camera, full-LED headlights, and the whole Suzuki ADAS suite which will be present in most Suzuki fashions in Europe, irrespective of how small. In actual fact, the mid-spec GL+ trim is already well-equipped when you don’t thoughts the smaller display, the material upholstery, and the lack so as to add an elective panoramic sunroof.

By way of area, each the entrance and the rear passengers sit excessive, with loads of obtainable legroom and headroom. The S-Cross looks like one of many roomiest fashions within the phase, staying true to its family-friendly character, though the dearth of local weather vents and USB ports for the rear passengers is just not excellent. The boot has a really sensible form with a double flooring and a capability of 430 lt (15.2 cubic ft) within the gentle hybrid model, with the total hybrid being considerably smaller at 293 lt / 10.3 cubic ft boot because of the batteries. In any case, the boot of the S-Cross is a full 75 lt (2.6 cubic ft) bigger than the Vitara / Escudo sibling, putting it on the highest finish of the B-SUV phase.

An Outdated Recipe Nonetheless Works

As we talked about earlier, the brand new SX4 S-Cross is predicated on the tried-and-tested World C structure underpinning all of Suzuki’s SUVs from the smaller Brezza as much as the similarly-sized Grand Vitara and Toyota City Cruiser Hyryder twin. The identical platform was additionally utilized by the outdated S-Cross so we had been desirous to see if Suzuki engineers managed to enhance it within the new era.

The carry-over turbocharged mild-hybrid 1.4-liter K14D BoosterJet engine initially feels much less highly effective than the numbers recommend. Nevertheless, after spending just a little extra time with it, you understand it will probably provide greater than sufficient grunt for the dimensions of the automobile, permitting the S-Cross to assemble up miles shortly on the freeway. There may be additionally a noticeable change in efficiency when you choose the Sport mode, with the gasoline pedal turning into extra delicate.

Suzuki proclaims 127 hp (95 kW / 129 PS) and 235 Nm (173.3 lb-ft) for the combustion engine, however there’s a further 14 hp (10 kW / 14 PS) and 53 Nm (39 lb-ft) coming from the 48V electrical motor. As a gentle hybrid, electrification will be felt as a chronic stop-start system, however it’s mentioned to assist in decreasing emissions and gas consumption – at the very least on paper. Through the time we spent with the S-Cross we noticed a median between 6.5 lt/100km (36 mpg) and seven.0 lt/100km (33.6 mpg) in blended driving circumstances. That is greater than the official 5.9 lt/100km (39.9 mpg) WLTP determine, however we weren’t attempting to be economical at any level of our driving.

Typically talking, the platform doesn’t conceal the actual fact it was developed for smaller segments and finances proposals, however you may really feel a slight enchancment when it comes to experience high quality and refinement. The suspension is certainly on the tender facet, providing a extra snug experience than most rivals. Predictably, physique roll is noticeable within the corners, however the S-Cross by no means feels floaty, retaining the signature Suzuki driving dynamics which will be fairly enjoyable when the motive force is within the temper for it. The steering wheel is gentle and never as communicative as in a Ford Puma, however the light-weight nature of the S-Cross which weighs 1,305 kg (2,877 lbs) in its heaviest AWD type means you may simply place it wherever you need within the nook.

We did take the S-Cross for some gentle offroading, benefiting from the beneficiant 175 mm (6.9 inches) floor clearance and the AllGrip system. Be aware that that is the one SUV on this value vary that’s supplied with AWD and a six-speed guide, alongside the Dacia Duster. The driving force can select between Snow, Auto, and Sport modes, with a helpful lock operate obtainable at decrease speeds. Identical to its Vitara sibling, the S-Cross proved to be fairly succesful and comfy off the crushed monitor, confirming Suzuki’s fame. It received’t go so far as the ladder-frame Suzuki Jimny, however it definitely excels on this regard whenever you evaluate it to different B-SUVs and crossovers, with out sacrificing its civilized highway manners.

Pricing And Competitors

In Greece, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross begins from €21,730 ($22,108) within the entry-level GL trim with a mild-hybrid FWD setup. That is truly cheaper than many B-SUV choices which have seen vital value markups through the previous yr. Nevertheless, our instance which was the very best GLX trim with the AllGrip AWD system prices €29,980 ($30,494), bringing it nearer to base-spec C-SUV territory towards fashions just like the Nissan Qashqai or the Kia Sportage. The candy spot of the S-Cross vary might be the mid-spec GL+ with AWD, which comes with loads of customary package and is priced at a extra affordable €26,730 ($27,185), virtually similar to the rival mid-spec Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 115 4×4.

Within the UK market, Suzuki opted for a less complicated two-member lineup – successfully eliminating an entry-level choice – with the 2WD Movement promoting for £24,999 ($30,144) and the AWD Extremely hitting expensive tones at £29,799 ($35,933). With this type of cash, you may get the entry-level Hyundai Tucson, though the S-Cross remains to be quite a bit cheaper than all AWD choices aside from the Dacia Duster.

Verdict

Regardless of being extra of a complete replace than a model new mannequin, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross stays a well-positioned proposal in a crowded phase. Whereas missing behind extra fashionable rivals when it comes to futuristic design, perceived inside high quality, and fancy tech, it’s providing a compelling bundle of practicality and flexibility on and off the crushed monitor whereas being fairly well-equipped for the value. We must always reward the actual fact it is likely one of the final remaining AWD SUVs with a guide gearbox, retaining a gentle method when it comes to electrification in addition to correct driving dynamics.