We test the new Suzuki S-Cross: a practical SUV with an ECO label from 25,000 euros

Tastes differ, as the saying goes. And when it comes to cars, it is very difficult to get into questions of style. But design remains one of the main arguments for buying a car, especially in some segments such as SUVs. And in this respect the Suzuki S-Cross has not been a particularly “good-looking” car, neither in the first generation launched in 2017, nor after the facelift it underwent in 2014.

Now, with this new update, the Suzuki S-Cross maintains and enhances its main strengths, such as practicality, versatility and a favourable value for money. But in addition, I dare say the brand has hit the mark with the design. Keeping its exterior dimensions practically unchanged, its look is now much more SUV-like, with a taller bonnet and features that recall the Across. I would venture to say there are few cars that change as much stylistically from one generation to the next as this S-Cross has in what will be its last “restyling”.

Range, prices and discounts for the Suzuki S-Cross

With its 4.30-metre length, prices starting from 25,000 euros and a single mechanical version, the 1.4 Boosterjet petrol engine producing 129 CV with light hybridisation Mild Hybrid of 48 volts, its main rivals include cars such as the Skoda Kamiq, the Hyundai Kona and the Peugeot 2008. The range offers 7 possibilities, resulting from combining the engine with the manual gearbox or a CVT continuously variable automatic gearbox, 4×2 or 4×4 traction and three trim levels. All of them carry the ECO label from the DGT.

Suzuki is offering a sales campaign that includes a discount of 3,600 euros on the 4×2 versions with manual gearbox, and 2,400 euros on the 4×4 and the 4×2 automatic. With these discounts, the retail sale prices are as follows:

• S-Cross 1.4 T S1 MHEV: 24,945 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S2 MHEV: 26,145 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S3 MHEV: 29,545 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S2 4WD MHEV: 28,022 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S3 4WD MHEV: 31,295 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S3 MHEV Auto: 31,005 euros
• S-Cross 1.4 T S3 4WD MHEV Auto: 35,200 euros

From these prices you can take off a further 1,400 euros if you finance the purchase with the brand.

Automatic, manual, 4×2, 4×4… which S-Cross should I buy?

Well, the S1 version, the entry point to the range, is already very good, with 17-inch alloy wheels, multifunction steering wheel, 7-inch multimedia screen, adaptive cruise control, 7 airbags, rear camera and the DSBS active safety package. But my recommendation is to invest the 1,200 euros more that the S2 trim costs. Among many other things you get roof rails, fog lights, rain and light sensor, keyless start, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, rear traffic alert system, blind-spot detection, heated seats and rear seat backrests that recline in two positions.

The S3 versions stretch the price a bit to get the 9-inch multimedia screen, leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, navigation and 360-degree camera; I find the S2 more balanced. As for the automatic gearbox, it costs 1,500 euros more than the manual; but its main problem is that it is only paired with the top S3 trim, which means starting from a budget of 31,000 euros.

The AllGrip 4×4 traction can be an interesting option for those who will be driving with some regularity off tarmac. It can be chosen from the S2 trim, at an extra cost of 1,900 euros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYfmM9-kePw

If you are not going to go off-road beyond tracks in good condition, my recommendation would be the S-Cross 1.4 T S2 front-wheel drive, which comes to 24,745 euros when financing the purchase… and fitting good All Season tyres if you want to guarantee mobility on snowy roads, with even more safety than the 4×4 with summer tyres.

Interior of the Suzuki S-Cross: practicality first

The aesthetic overhaul also affects the interior of the S-Cross, which features a dashboard with more modern and attractive lines. The materials are still mostly hard-touch plastic, but they offer a visual sense of quality and durability. What does not change is the practicality it offers, largely thanks to a very well-utilised cabin.

As for the boot, its 430 litres is a very good figure. It has regular, usable shapes and the floor can be set at different heights; in the case of the better-equipped versions, the ability to adjust the rake of the rear seat backrests gains a few extra litres.

One of the important improvements is that of the multimedia system, now with the screen above the climate control vents, in a higher position. For the S1 and S2 versions the screen is 7 inches, and 9 inches in the top S3 trim, always with improved software and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in the latter case wirelessly as well as by cable.

Behind the wheel of the Suzuki S-Cross

With the same platform and no changes to the propulsion system, the new Suzuki S-Cross shows no significant changes compared with the model it replaces. We are dealing with an SUV that is easy and pleasant to drive, which struggles a little on very twisty roads if you want to go fast.

This happens mainly because the steering filters out too much of what is happening under the wheels, and the bodywork has a first phase when starting the tightest bends in which it finds it hard to settle; but it never has reactions that compromise safety. In return, the S-Cross feels very at home on motorways or fast roads, where it allows you to travel with great ride comfort and low consumption.

The 1.4 Boosterjet petrol engine remains one of the highlights of the S-Cross, both for how pleasant it is to use and for the balance between performance and consumption. The almost 14 CV electric motor of the light hybrid system provides additional thrust when accelerating, and it shows: you can cruise in high gears without having to use the gearbox much, which is very smooth when moving between gears with the lever, although the feel could be more precise.

Among the good things about this engine, besides the fact that it is very quiet and feels flexible and smooth, is how little it consumes… and how little it is affected by the pace at which you drive, unlike other engines of similar power but smaller capacity and fewer cylinders. Keeping consumption on the trip computer between 6.5 and 7 l/100 km is not difficult, without needing to pay much attention to driving. In town the MHEV system is also noticeable, with a very quick start-stop and the electric motor’s added thrust when pulling away.

The automatic all-wheel-drive system, which Suzuki calls AllGrip, is the same as in the previous model, of the connectable type via a multi-plate clutch. Using a selector on the centre console, behind the gear lever, it lets you choose between Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock modes. In the first it behaves like a front-wheel-drive car, and the rear axle only engages in low-grip conditions if the front wheels are detected to be losing traction.

In Lock mode the distribution is locked to a 50/50 split between both axles. Sport favours a distribution geared towards more dynamic driving, while Snow mode is set up to improve traction on snow or ice. It works well, but you have to accept a slight loss of performance and an increase in consumption: with all-wheel drive, the S-Cross accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, compared with 9.5 seconds for the 4×2 versions, while homologated consumption rises from 5.3 to 5.9 l/100 km.

Photo gallery of the Suzuki S-Cross

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSuzuki S-Cross10 versions · from 32,027 €