New Suzuki S-Cross packs in tech and spec

General Guides  New Launches 

It's hard to know where to put Suzuki. As a bike manufacturer they are one of the big players with a reputation for bullet-proof reliability and blistering performance. So why does putting the same badge on the front of a car turn into a slightly left-field choice?

The Swift is a fantastic little hatchback, the Jimny is more mountain-goat than car, the Vitara is a roomy and comfortable SUV, and the all-new S-Cross that will go on sale in January looks just as promising for your next lease car.

The outgoing S-Cross offers good on-road performance, as well as off-road capability with its optional 4x4 system. It is soon to be replaced by a heavily updated new model with an even higher level of safety equipment and the latest technology.

Even a compact SUV needs to look the part, and the Suzuki S-Cross pulls this off with its chunky wheel arches, elevated driving position, and off-road styling. The front features a raised bonnet line, piano black front grille and new LED headlamps that enhance the impression of height and bulk. It's the same story at the back, with larger light clusters that flow horizontally across the rear emphasise a sense of width. You also get roof rails and an integrated rear spoiler to complete the look.

Under the bonnet you get Suzuki's responsive Boosterjet engine , and engines are something Suzuki knows a thing or two about.

The 1.4-litre turbocharged engine offers roughly the same level of power and torque of a much larger 2.0-litre engine, but obviously in a more economical manner. It uses a 48v mild-hybrid system to power low voltage components, freeing up a bit more power to get the car moving quicker by boosting the torque at lower revs. The 1.4-litre engine pushes the S-Cross to 60mph in just over 9 seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph. The same engine is fitted to both versions of the S-Cross and can be specified with either manual or automatic transmission.

If you're looking for the off-road capability, Suzuki's Allgrip ‘Select' system is fitted as standard on Ultra models, and uniquely for this segment of the market it can be had with both manual and automatic transmissions. The system incorporates four driver-selectable modes for safe driving on diverse surfaces. In Auto mode, it defaults to front-wheel drive for better fuel economy, but if the front wheels lose grip for any reason the system automatically switches to four-wheel drive for better stability. In Sport mode, the traction control intervention is weakened so that acceleration response is improved, and cornering is made easier. In Snow mode, traction control intervention is boosted, and a permanent 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels makes driving through snow, unpaved or other slippery surfaces easier. In Lock mode, torque is distributed evenly throughout all four wheels and the traction control system applies braking to wheels that are spinning to send the power to the tyres that have grip.

On top of that you also get loads of standard safety features such as Dual Sensor Brake Support (Automated Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Prevention and Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and emergency eCall function.

In general, the new S-Cross has an even higher standard specification than before.

We mentioned earlier that the new Suzuki S-Cross is available in two variants, both of which are very well equipped. Far from being limited on choice, it's actually quite refreshing to not have to faff around with options lists to get everything you want.

Standard equipment for the Motion specification is comprehensive and includes seven airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, smartphone connectivity, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control with speed limiter, keyless entry and start, dual zone auto air conditioning, heated front seats, and parking sensors at both ends of the car. The new S-Cross also features a 4.2 inch high-definition colour LCD display that shows a whole range of information including engine output and torque data, fuel consumption, average speed, acceleration and brake operation, as well as driving G-force tracking. The infotainment system fitted to the Motion grade has a seven-inch touchscreen with MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection.

Moving up to the Ultra specification adds 17-inch polished alloy wheels, leather upholstery, sat nav, panoramic sliding sunroof and a 360-degree camera.

The 360-degree camera - actually four cameras; one each on the front, rear and sides of the vehicle - are linked to the central display to provide a clear all-round view to the driver, including a birds-eye view for simpler parking. The panoramic sunroof consists of two individually sliding glass panels which extend over the front and rear seats, making the cabin more relaxing for all occupants. In the Ultra grade specification, the infotainment screen size is increased to nine inches to incorporate the 3D navigation map, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly so you can do away with the cable.

All of which begs the question. Why is a Suzuki such a left-field choice when you get so much packed in as standard? Check out the S-Cross Suzuki leasing options here.

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