Boldly go in style with new-look SUV
three-cylinder engine (up to 61mpg extra urban) was the one fitted to our test car. Having tried both the new engines at the launch event I had requested the 1.0-litre as I was impressed at just how much power Suzuki have managed to squeeze from such a diminutive power plant in this mid-sized SUV.
Both the new petrol engines are impressive, feeling like bigger units, but the 1.0-litre in particular is a triumph of engineering delivering more torque than the outgoing 1.6 petrol engine yet not being as ‘thrummy’ as other manufacturers’ three cylinder units - pulling happily up the steepest of hillsides and whizzing along motorways at the legal limit with ease.
Standard kit on our mid-range SZ-T model includes keyless entry and start, parking sensors all round with rear camera, part leather seats, cruise control and polished 17” alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-line SZ5 is only available on the 1.4-litre petrol or the diesel, and comes with leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats. The turbocharged 1.4-litre unit is also mated exclusively to the Suzuki ALLGRIP four-wheel drive system.
Despite the new petrol engines the diesel is still the best for those doing long distances with a strong combined economy figure of 68.9mpg in front-wheel drive form.
The relative lightness of the ‘new’ S-Cross means it feels agile and responsive, while improvements to the suspension give a better the ride over the old model. That 1.0-litre turbo three cylinder engine also gives a surprisingly good level of performance as well as efficiency - 0-62mph takes eleven seconds, but it feels faster. The only downside is that you’re stuck with a five-speed manual gearbox.
It’s also considerably cheaper that its main rivals - the Nissan Qashqai, Honda HR-V, Renault Kadjar and Vauxhall Mokka X - so the S-Cross, which is slightly larger than its sister Vitara model, also delivers quite good value for money.
Entry-level versions get a DAB radio with Bluetooth a CD player, USB, AUX-in and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.
Both head and legroom are plentiful, and the driver’s seat has a wide range of adjustment. Little separates the Suzuki from its rivals in terms of interior space and it has a good size boot, even with the seats up, which was put to good use as I had to transport the bulk of a flat pack kitchen plus oven and hob - which all fitted into the smart SUV.
The SX4 S-Cross is now available in three trim levels SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5 starting from £14,999 for the 1.0-litre manual SZ4 with 2WD. A top of the range 4x4 auto 1.4 ALLGRIP SZ5 will set you back £22,499. Our SZ-T variant starts from £18,499 but extras on our car (inc metallic paint and sat nav) took that up to a shade below £20,000.
More info at: www.suzuki.co.uk.