The Suzuki S-Cross is a really viable choice for these in search of a small, secure, and dependable SUV.
Sadly for Suzuki, it has been left off most individuals’s consideration record because of the aggressive nature of the section and – till just lately – the worth. Suzuki is now taking not less than $2500 (as much as $3500) off the worth of the S-Cross, which makes it a extra compelling and aggressive alternative for consumers who could have in any other case missed the little SUV.
Now it’s additionally obtainable with front-wheel drive, dropping the drive-away worth beneath $40,000. We have to take one other take a look at what it has to supply.
The third-generation S-Cross seems a bit dearer than it really is. With a classy exterior design, it arguably outdoes the first-generation S-Cross – generally known as the SX4 – penned by Italdesign and Giorgetto Giugiaro, the workforce chargeable for the Ferrari 250 GT, together with loads of Maserati and Lotus autos.
The mannequin you see right here in its absolute base type is definitely not a Japanese automobile. Suzuki is a well known Japanese model that has created cult autos just like the Swift and Jimny (and loads of others), however this S-Cross is definitely in-built Hungary and exported right here.
Whereas some European manufacturers are actually owned by and make automobiles in China (hiya Volvo, Polestar), charging premium pricing utilising considerably cheaper labor, Suzuki stays a Japanese model making automobiles in Europe. Determine that one out.
If shopping for a European-made automobile means something to you, that’s a tick for the brand new Suzuki S-Cross.
How does the Suzuki S-Cross fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Suzuki S-Cross in opposition to equally sized autos.
Suzuki
S-Cross
How a lot does the Suzuki S-Cross value?
Right here is the place issues get a bit of sophisticated, as a result of Suzuki Australia and Suzuki Queensland are two completely different corporations and proper now, it’s the Queensland distributor doing as much as $3500 off the worth of an S-Cross.
On any S-Cross AWD mannequin you’ll get a $2000 manufacturing unit low cost plus a $1500 Coles-Myer reward card (which you may as well use at Shell gasoline stations). These figures drop to a $1500 manufacturing unit low cost and $1000 Coles-Myer Reward Card for 2WD fashions.
Suzuki S-Cross pricing:
2024 Suzuki S-Cross 2WD: $39,990 drive-away ($37,490 with low cost in Queensland)2024 Suzuki S-Cross 2WD Plus: $42,490 drive-away ($39,990 with low cost in Queensland)2024 Suzuki S-Cross AWD: $44,490 drive-away ($42,490 with low cost in Queensland)2024 Suzuki S-Cross AWD Plus: $46,990 drive away ($44,490 with low cost in Queensland)2024 Suzuki S-Cross AWD Status: $47,990 drive away ($45,490 with low cost in Queensland)
To see how the S-Cross shapes up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s the Suzuki S-Cross like on the within?
The inside of the S-Cross is maybe the place a couple of consumers would possibly discover themselves questioning if they need to look elsewhere.
There’s no denying some rivals current a extra fashionable structure and infotainment, however the query must be requested – is there something unsuitable with simplicity? Typically much less is extra, and the S-Cross embodies that with a easy, but extraordinarily ergonomic and useable inside.
The bottom mannequin comes with greater than you really want, particularly in Queensland, with options like heated seats – an nearly pointless addition on an entry variant. The cabin has a tall roof that may accommodate 4 giant adults in consolation, whereas the seats and abundance of storage and cupholders make the S-Cross nice inside.
It might undoubtedly do with a totally digital instrument cluster as a substitute of the analogue dials and tiny show it has, although.
You continue to get a fairly respectable 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The bottom automobile doesn’t get wi-fi CarPlay; you’ll want to improve to the Plus variant for that and a bigger 9.0-inch system (along with a surround-view digital camera, leather-based upholstery, and a greater audio system), however it does the job.
You’ll be able to add wi-fi CarPlay with a dongle from Amazon for about $75, in order that shouldn’t maintain you again, however the leather-based seats and higher digital camera would possibly entice some to improve.
We wish to see Suzuki take into account altering the way in which it laminates the display screen. It appears to have used the identical methodology as Honda, the place the show itself sits again from the ending glass, permitting for a layer of reflection when in direct solar.
Moreover, switching the now antiquated USB-A port to USB-C looks as if a good suggestion.
The inside itself is nicely put along with no apparent gaps in high quality. We wish to see delicate plastics on the door playing cards the place you naturally rests your elbow, however exterior of that the switchgear, controls, and the cabin have a really Japanese-quality really feel to them.
Regardless of being a small SUV, the S-Cross is spacious for a household of 4, and with the boot permitting for a good 430 litres of storage (increasing to 1230L with the rear seats folded) it could undoubtedly deal with the weekly buying haul and a small pram.
The twin-tier boot ground permits for a alternative between a flat-loading lip or extra house. It additionally presents small storage tubs, a 12V socket, and a space-saver spare underneath the ground.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
All Suzuki S-Cross variants are powered by the identical engine, a 1.4-litre ‘Boosterjet’ four-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 103kW of energy and 220Nm of torque.
Not like the all-wheel drive fashions from launch, the variant examined right here ship all of that to the entrance wheels. We anticipated that to create some challenges, however as you’ll see beneath the bottom mannequin doesn’t really feel prefer it’s lacking out.
What makes this engine work higher is that Suzuki makes use of a traditional six-speed torque-converter computerized with paddles as a substitute of the constantly variable transmission (CVT) a few of its rivals use. This will carry a small gasoline economic system drawback in some conditions, however it permits for a significantly better driving expertise.
Based on Suzuki Australia, the S-Cross makes use of 5.9 litres per 100km, equating to emissions of 145g/km. In real-world testing throughout our time with the automobile, that appeared very achievable.
How does the Suzuki S-Cross drive?
Regardless of the bottom mannequin S-Cross dropping its all-wheel system, the typical driver would wrestle even to understand the gutsy 1.4-litre engine is connected to solely the entrance wheels.
The S-Cross is a well-balanced bundle that delivers on Suzuki’s promise of constructing enjoyable and interesting automobiles to drive.
Utilising a traditional six-speed computerized helps make this small SUV really feel extra full of life and able to go than if it had opted for a CVT like a few of its rivals.
Suzuki has determined to incorporate paddle shifters on the steering wheel, however we are able to guarantee you these will possible by no means be used exterior the honeymoon interval.
We examined the front-wheel drive S-Cross throughout a number of the heaviest rain Brisbane has had in the previous few years and even drove it by way of a couple of puddles that ended up being extra like mini rivers, and at no time limit did the dearth of all-wheel drive have an effect on the automobile’s grip or driveability.
After all for those who intend to go to the seashore or go delicate roading on nation roads, the additional $2500 for all-wheel drive might be price it. If that is an city crawler that’ll spend its life going to Coles and dropping the youngsters in school, save your self the cash and also you’ll don’t have any regrets.
Though the engine and transmission are in sync and as much as the duty, the most effective commendation we are able to bestow on the S-Cross is its glorious visibility and driving place. Regardless of not precisely being a big and tremendous high-riding SUV, the S-Cross options glorious ergonomics and outward visibility, undoubtedly the most effective in any SUV in its section.
The seating place permits the motive force to see nearly over the entire entrance of the S-Cross with out having to be a large, whereas the facet view by way of the A-pillars and rearward visibility each stay glorious.
One other shock for us within the S-Cross was the very supple experience. Given Brisbane is a pothole-infested metropolis, the place rain washes away half the roads every month, the S-Cross was a surprisingly well-sorted and engineered bundle when it got here to traversing dreadful bitumen.
Although it presents a bit of bit extra physique roll in tight corners than it’s possible you’ll anticipate from a Suzuki, the upside is the experience is delicate and well-suited to Australian roads.
From a driving perspective, the S-Cross is a real shock. It has a gasoline environment friendly however gutsy engine that’s nicely coupled to the remainder of the drivetrain, using on a delicate bundle that nearly feels as if it’s engineered for Australia’s poorly surfaced roads – maybe Hungary is not any higher?
What do you get?
S-Cross + S-Cross AllGrip highlights:
17-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic LED headlightsDaytime operating lightsFront fog lightsRear privateness glassKeyless entry and startRain-sensing wipersRoof rails7.0-inch touchscreen infotainmentSatellite navigationWired Apple CarPlayWired Android AutoDAB radio6-speaker sound systemDual-zone local weather controlLeather-wrapped steering wheelManually adjustable cloth seats
S-Cross Plus provides:
17-inch polished alloy wheels9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemSatellite navigationWireless Apple CarPlay360-degree cameras7-speaker sound systemLeather-accented upholstery
S-Cross AllGrip Status provides:
Is the Suzuki S-Cross secure?
The Suzuki S-Cross’s five-star ANCAP security ranking was first awarded in 2013, and has expired as of June 2022.
Nonetheless, the Suzuki comes with an array of security options that will recommend to us it might preserve a powerful ranking if it was examined at this time.
Customary security options embrace:
6 airbagsAdaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringLane departure warningParking sensors entrance, rearRear cross-traffic alertReversing cameraWeaving alert
S-Cross Plus provides:
How a lot does the Suzuki S-Cross value to run?
Suzuki Australia and Suzuki Queensland (completely different distributors) present a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with roadside help and capped-price servicing.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. The primary 5 companies will set you again a mixed $1945.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki S-Cross
The Suzuki S-Cross is the kind of SUV you should purchase with a way of confidence it’ll by no means offer you any issues whereas offering a secure and satisfying possession expertise.
When it launched in Australia, the worth was limiting given the disparity between this mannequin and its predecessor, however now the markets have adjusted and a less expensive (equally good) front-drive has offered itself with a further $2500 saving, the equation has one once more modified in its favour.
If you’re available in the market for a small SUV, take the time to offer the common-or-garden S-Cross a go and if it fits your wants, attempt to get the most effective deal attainable.
Who is aware of the place the ultimate worth could go?
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
BUY: Suzuki S-CrossMORE: Every thing Suzuki S-Cross