Suzuki keep promise to listen to drivers by giving their SUV a major makeover

Aidan Rennie-Jones The new Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is a huge improvement on its predecessor in almost every way.

Lovely chunky exterior looks teamed with a solid cabin make it great to be at the wheel and it feels engaging and energetic to drive.

When you first see the new SX4 S-Cross, it’s very imposing and stands out from the crowd thanks to its LED headlamps and chromed nose.

And with its flanked bonnet lines and 55mm higher nose than the old one, the S- Cross will give rivals a real run for their money in terms of style.

The previous Suzuki S- Cross was a very successful car but Suzuki had complaints about its styling at the front not looking like an SUV.

So when the new generation was designed, the Japanese manufacturers listened to customers and have given them what they want.

Step inside and the car feels solid and looks just as bold as the exterior. Lots of sof t- touch plast ics and lashings of technology are on board, including the touchscreen infotainment system in the middle of the dash.

As standard, al l S- Cross models come with alloy wheels, dual- zone air conditioning, DAB radio, cruise control , Bluetooth, keyless entry and start, electrically folding mirrors, tinted windows and a leather steering wheel to name but a few. There are no optional extras with any of the cars.

If you want to add sat nav and LED headlamps, you upgrade from the SZ4 to the SZ-T.

We had a go in the top-spec 1.4-litre petrol SZ5 variant, which adds leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. It also has sensors to detect if you’re going to crash and deploys the brakes if you don’t do it quickly enough, a reason the SX4 S- Cross continues to have a five-star safety rating.

There are three engines – a 1.0-litre three- cylinder turbocharged petrol with 111PS, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol with 140PS and a 1.6- litre four-pot diesel with 120PS.

All are available with Suzuki ’s ALLGRIP four-wheel- drive system, while the diesel and 1.0 petrol are also available in two-wheel drive.

Our pick of the bunch would definitely be the 1.0- litre with the ALLGRIP system but sadly the peppy engine isn’t available in SZ5 trim.

On the move, it was impressive and the little engine buzzed away quietly on the motorway and in town. Thanks to the turbo, it didn’t feel sluggish or underpowered.

Add in the fact that it can do 53mpg and you have a great car that can go on all terrain. Every S- Cross model comes with a driving mode button. You can drive normally, with the car becoming a cruiser, or, for those twisty roads, click the Sport button for a sharper throttle response, more dynamic driving and higher rpm through gear changes.

The car felt agile and is never a slouch, whatever engine you have. Safe overtaking and motorway speeds are as refined as you’ll find in an SUV.

One of the most impressive things about the new SX4 S-Cross is the price. The base SZ4 model is £14,999, rising to just £24,349 for the top SZ5.

Whichever you choose, they’re all excellent value considering the spec.

Some premium German saloons don’t have half the kit the S-Cross does and yet they cost twice as much.

That’s where Suzuki seem to hit the nail on the head. They’re offering you a fantastically capable car at an affordable price.

It also offers tons of practicality, thanks to good amounts of head and legroom, and can easily accommodate three suitcases for a family trip, or take a pushchair with all the bits and pieces you need with a baby.

With all these elements in one car, the S- Cross is ideal for a young family – the perfect target market for such a fantastic mid-sized SUV.

Step inside and the car feels solid and looks just as bold as the exterior