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Suzuki won’t be current within the US, however in Europe and Asia it maintains a variety of merchandise centered on metropolis vehicles and SUVs. The SX4 S-Cross is a vital a part of the SUV lineup, so we wished to check the lately revealed third-generation mannequin to see how a lot it has improved over its predecessor, and the way effectively it stacks up towards the fierce competitors.
Improved However Sedate Styling
Beginning with the outside, it’s clear that the SX4 S-Cross is totally redesigned over the previous generation regardless of utilizing the identical underpinnings and retaining an similar footprint. Measuring 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) lengthy, it’s effectively into the B-SUV phase, since it’s smaller than all C-SUVs. General, the S-Cross resembles an old-school family-friendly SUV, not within the sportier and sexier strategy of rivals just like the Peugeot 2008, the Renault Captur, and the Ford Puma.
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On the entrance, Suzuki designers gave it a extra aggressive look, shedding the weirdness of the outdated mannequin and making it look extra like a correct SUV. The grille has grown and the headlights are positioned larger. The entrance bumper has much less unpainted plastic, a smaller-than-usual aluminum-style skidplate, and Jeep Renegade-style fake intakes integrating the flip alerts and the foglights.
Equally, the profile has much less cladding on the doorways, boxier wheelarches above the 17-inch wheels, and a well-recognized windowline. The rear finish is the place opinions are divided, with the related taillights poking out of the bodywork and searching fairly massive for the dimensions of the car. The narrower rear windscreen, the bigger tailgate, and the rugged-looking rear bumper are welcome enhancements over its predecessor. Nonetheless, in our eyes, the brand new S-Cross isn’t as pleasing to take a look at because the aging Vitara.
Roomy And Sensible However Not Fancy And Premium
Stepping contained in the cabin, the very first thing you discover is the brand new free-standing 9-inch infotainment touchscreen that has been repositioned above the local weather vents, flanked by a extra trendy insert on the dashboard that includes a soft-touch materials. This appears to be like and feels a lot nicer than the old S-Cross, displaying {that a} small change could make a giant distinction. Suzuki’s new infotainment has fashionable graphics and fonts, plus a revised menu construction that’s straightforward to get used to, not dropping the simplicity of the confirmed outdated system. The always-on touch-sensitive shortcuts on the underside can be higher off as precise buttons, however at the least the display screen is responsive. Apparently, the S-Cross is the one Suzuki product in Europe that advantages from the brand new infotainment, in contrast to different Asian markets the place it’s already broadly utilized by nearly all of the Suzuki vary.
Setting apart the infotainment and most important dashboard space, the remainder of the inside is basically carried over from the earlier technology, together with the plasticky door playing cards, the local weather controls on the decrease a part of the middle console, the AllGrip selector, the three-spoke steering wheel, and the analog instrument cluster. The latter appears to be like fairly dated by right now’s requirements, with the LCD display screen from the earlier decade not having the ability to match the configurable digital instrument clusters of rival fashions. Possibly Suzuki ought to add the brand new cluster that was lately launched as an choice on the closely-related Suzuki Grand Vitara in India.
Our S-Cross was the flagship GLX trim which implies it will get the 9-inch infotainment (as an alternative of the 7-inch of lesser trims), leather-based and heated seats, dual-zone local weather management, a 360-degree digital camera, full-LED headlights, and the complete Suzuki ADAS suite which might be present in most Suzuki models in Europe, irrespective of how small. In truth, the mid-spec GL+ trim is already well-equipped in case you don’t thoughts the smaller display screen, the material upholstery, and the shortcoming so as to add an optionally available panoramic sunroof.
By way of area, each the entrance and the rear passengers sit excessive, with loads of accessible legroom and headroom. The S-Cross seems like one of many roomiest fashions within the phase, staying true to its family-friendly character, though the dearth of local weather vents and USB ports for the rear passengers isn’t ideally suited. The boot has a really sensible form with a double flooring and a capability of 430 lt (15.2 cubic ft) within the delicate hybrid model, with the complete hybrid being considerably smaller at 293 lt / 10.3 cubic ft boot because of the batteries. In any case, the boot of the S-Cross is a full 75 lt (2.6 cubic ft) bigger than the Vitara / Escudo sibling, putting it on the highest finish of the B-SUV phase.
An Outdated Recipe Nonetheless Works
As we talked about earlier, the brand new SX4 S-Cross relies on the tried-and-tested International C structure underpinning all of Suzuki’s SUVs from the smaller Brezza as much as the similarly-sized Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder twin. The identical platform was additionally utilized by the outdated S-Cross so we have been desperate to see if Suzuki engineers managed to enhance it within the new technology.
The carry-over turbocharged mild-hybrid 1.4-liter K14D BoosterJet engine initially feels much less highly effective than the numbers counsel. Nevertheless, after spending a bit extra time with it, you understand it might probably supply greater than sufficient grunt for the dimensions of the car, permitting the S-Cross to assemble up miles rapidly on the freeway. There’s additionally a noticeable change in efficiency when you choose the Sport mode, with the fuel pedal changing into extra delicate.
Suzuki pronounces 127 hp (95 kW / 129 PS) and 235 Nm (173.3 lb-ft) for the combustion engine, however there’s a further 14 hp (10 kW / 14 PS) and 53 Nm (39 lb-ft) coming from the 48V electrical motor. As a mild hybrid, electrification might be felt as a chronic stop-start system, however it’s mentioned to assist in lowering emissions and gas consumption – at the least on paper. Throughout the time we spent with the S-Cross we noticed a median between 6.5 lt/100km (36 mpg) and seven.0 lt/100km (33.6 mpg) in combined driving circumstances. That is greater than the official 5.9 lt/100km (39.9 mpg) WLTP determine, however we weren’t making an attempt to be economical at any level of our driving.
Usually talking, the platform doesn’t cover the very fact it was developed for smaller segments and funds proposals, however you’ll be able to really feel a slight enchancment when it comes to trip high quality and refinement. The suspension is certainly on the gentle facet, providing a extra snug trip than most rivals. Predictably, physique roll is noticeable within the corners, however the S-Cross by no means feels floaty, retaining the signature Suzuki driving dynamics which might be fairly enjoyable when the driving force is within the temper for it. The steering wheel is gentle and never as communicative as in a Ford Puma, however the light-weight nature of the S-Cross which weighs 1,305 kg (2,877 lbs) in its heaviest AWD type means you’ll be able to simply place it wherever you need within the nook.
We did take the S-Cross for some gentle offroading, benefiting from the beneficiant 175 mm (6.9 inches) floor clearance and the AllGrip system. Be aware that that is the one SUV on this value vary that’s supplied with AWD and a six-speed handbook, alongside the Dacia Duster. The motive force can select between Snow, Auto, and Sport modes, with a helpful lock perform accessible at decrease speeds. Identical to its Vitara sibling, the S-Cross proved to be fairly succesful and cozy off the crushed monitor, confirming Suzuki’s popularity. It gained’t go so far as the ladder-frame Suzuki Jimny, however it actually excels on this regard while you examine it to different B-SUVs and crossovers, with out sacrificing its civilized highway manners.
Pricing And Competitors
In Greece, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross begins from €21,730 ($22,108) within the entry-level GL trim with a mild-hybrid FWD setup. That is really cheaper than many B-SUV choices which have seen vital value markups throughout the previous yr. Nevertheless, our instance which was the very best GLX trim with the AllGrip AWD system prices €29,980 ($30,494), bringing it nearer to base-spec C-SUV territory towards fashions just like the Nissan Qashqai or the Kia Sportage. The candy spot of the S-Cross vary might be the mid-spec GL+ with AWD, which comes with loads of customary package and is priced at a extra affordable €26,730 ($27,185), virtually similar to the rival mid-spec Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 115 4×4.
Within the UK market, Suzuki opted for an easier two-member lineup – successfully eliminating an entry-level choice – with the 2WD Movement promoting for £24,999 ($30,144) and the AWD Extremely hitting expensive tones at £29,799 ($35,933). With this sort of cash, you may get the entry-level Hyundai Tucson, though the S-Cross remains to be lots cheaper than all AWD choices except the Dacia Duster.
Verdict
Regardless of being extra of a complete replace than a model new mannequin, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross stays a well-positioned proposal in a crowded phase. Whereas missing behind more modern rivals when it comes to futuristic design, perceived inside high quality, and fancy tech, it’s providing a compelling package deal of practicality and flexibility on and off the crushed monitor whereas being fairly well-equipped for the value. We must always reward the very fact it is without doubt one of the final remaining AWD SUVs with a handbook gearbox, retaining a gentle strategy when it comes to electrification in addition to correct driving dynamics.
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