LIFESTYLE
James Stinson
Suzuki’s Family Crossover New Suzuki S-Cross is up against some serious competition, writes James Stinson.
adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a parking camera – all of which are optional on the SEAT and Volkswagen. Standard kit includes heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch driver information display and a seven-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both fitted as standard, too. It also has 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, aluminium roof rails and electrically folding door mirrors.
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uzuki has plenty of credit in the bank when it comes to making dependable, good-value off roaders. So it should be in pretty good shape to capture a bigger slice of the growing family crossover market.
Opt for the range-topping £29,799 Ultra model and you get leather upholstery, a sliding panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree parking camera. The flagship model also boasts a larger nine-inch infotainment system, which features sharper graphics and a slicker interface than other Suzuki systems, so the sat-nav screen is a lot easier to read.
Problem is, that’s a very competitive space at the minute. The Skoda Karoq, SEAT Ateca, VW Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai and others are all fairly brilliant, finely honed motor cars.. They aren’t cheap though and that’s where Suzuki will be hoping to cash in with this latest generation S-Cross.
Ultra models with four-wheel drive also have a dial to change driving modes (Normal, Sport and Snow) conveniently placed next to the handbrake.
It isn’t just a value proposition though; there’s also plenty to like about the new S-Cross. It’s honest, reliable and very well equipped. It’s got a fine engine with good economy and comes with a four-wheel drive option. The S-Cross is powered by the proven turbocharged 1.4 litre mild-hybrid petrol engine, which is also found in the Swift and Vitara.
The cabin is pretty functional. Indeed, this is where Suzuki should and needs to do a little bit better. Everything feels well positioned, sturdy and comes easy to hand but the overall feel is a little underwhelming compared to rivals. The materials are a bit scratchy in places while the infotainment feels a bit slow and dated.
The hybrid system won’t run on electric power alone but does aid acceleration and improve efficiency. It churns out 127bhp, helping the S-Cross record a 0–62mph time of 9.5 seconds.
There’s plenty of room in the front and good all-round visibility but tall passengers might feel a little squeezed in the back. There’s a decent-sized boot. The rear seatbacks split in a 60/40 configuration and you can fold them down by pushing buttons next to the head restraints. You can also recline the rear seatbacks slightly for a more laid-back seating position.
In front-wheel drive form it delivers a claimed 53mpg, which is significantly better than most rivals. And with CO2 emissions of 120g/ km, it’s greener too. The four-wheel drive version is a little less frugal, though not by much, delivering a still respectable 47mpg.
There is a lot to like about the new S-Cross. It’s a good-value, no-nonsense offering which should be cheap to run. There’s a lot of standard equipment while Suzuki has some of the best reliability scores around. It just needs a more modern, stylish interior to be a top contender.
A full hybrid version is set to join the range later while there’s no diesel option. It comes with either a six manual or automatic gearbox. The manual is the better option as the automatic has a habit of overrevving under hard acceleration. There are just two trim levels: the entry-level Motion and the more heavily specced Ultra version, which also comes with AllGrip fourwheel drive. Prices start from £24,999 which means it undercuts entry-level versions of the SEAT Ateca and the VW Tiguan. The S-Cross also comes with a lot more standard equipment, including
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02/03/2022 16:38
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