Suzuki has rebooted its SX4 S-Cross SUV with bolder styling and added safety and convenience kit. The new S-Cross appears much more assertive with its raised hood, large grille and the moody stare given off by those new headlights. There’s more black trim this time around, lending a tougher vibe, including on the edge of the wheel-arches, and the overall impression is one of a bigger car than before, though the tape measure tells a different story.
But while the new 4,300 mm long SX4 S-Cross is no bigger on the outside, Suzuki promises it feels more
comfortable on the inside for passengers. And if your passengers aren’t
impressed with the interior comfort, they might be more taken by the new 9-inch
touchscreen located at the top of the centre console on more expensive Ultra
models, which feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ultra cars also get satellite navigation,
leather seats and a panoramic sunroof for £ 29,799, while the £ 24,999 Motion
trim downgrades to a 7-inch display, but still brings heated seats, dual-zone
climate, LED lights and keyless entry. All models benefit from traffic-sign
recognition, adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitoring.
EV and PHEV options are notable by their
absence, but the S-Cross does continue the brand’s move towards electrification
by again offering 48-volt mild-hybrid technology for its 1.4-liter gasoline
motor.
Pinched from the Swift, it’s capable of
delivering 127 hp and 235 Nm to the front wheels, or all four
if you pay extra for the Allgrip badge and the rear transmission hardware that
comes with it. Interestingly, the AWD model’s extra traction isn’t enough to
offset its weight penalty, 0-62 mph taking 9.5 seconds in the front-driver and
10.2 seconds in the Allgrip machine. Buyers get a choice of manual or automatic
transmissions, both with six gears.
The new SX4 S-Cross will be built at
Suzuki’s plant in Hungary alongside the Vitara, with European sales starting
before Christmas.
