An updated appearance brings more SUV-based styling to the Suzuki S-Cross, but the big news here is the adoption of a 1.0-litre petrol engine. Can the compact crossover take on the big sellers in the market?
Model tested: Suzuki S-Cross 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T AllGrip
Pricing: range starts at €20,995
Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Body style: five-door, five-seat crossover
CO2 emissions: 119g/km (Band A4, €200 per annum)
Combined economy: 53.3mpg (5.3 litres/100km)
Top speed: 175km/h
0-100km/h: 12.0 seconds
Power: 111hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 170Nm at 2,000- to 3,500rpm
Boot space: 430 litres (seats up), 875 litres (seats down)
EuroNCAP rating: five-star; 92% adult; 80% child; 72% pedestrian; 81% safety assist
In the Metal:
If we were to level one criticism at the styling of the previous Suzuki S-Cross, it's that its front-end never quite fitted in with the SUV image. The large headlights and sloping bonnet gave it a look that was somewhat lacking in appeal. Suzuki listened to such criticism and it has now crafted a new, more purposeful looking nose onto the car. A bolder grille, new clamshell bonnet and front bumper give the S-Cross quite a different look, even if nothing else other than the rear lights have changed.
Inside, the cabin is the mostly unchanged, but Suzuki has made an effort to improve the quality of the materials used in the dashboard. The range-topping SZ5 specification gains leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. Its seven-inch colour touchscreen is clear to read and easy to use. Connecting your smartphone via the single USB port located at the bottom of the storage bin between the front seats activates either Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink depending on your brand of handset.
Space for rear passengers is reasonably good, though models with the panoramic sunroofs do concede a bit of headroom. There's no difference to the boot capacity, which remains at 430 litres - the same as in a Nissan Qashqai and more than a Peugeot 2008 holds. With the rear seats folded, capacity increases to 875 litres, which is some way behind most in the segment.
Driving it:
The biggest news for this facelifted Suzuki S-Cross is the introduction of the company's new 1.0- and 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engines. These will sit alongside the existing Fiat-sourced 1.6-litre diesel unit. While the more powerful 140hp 1.4-litre petrol engine performs well in the S-Cross, it's the smaller 1.0-litre Boosterjet option that surprises. Despite having a smaller capacity and one less cylinder it doesn't feel lacking in what is the largest vehicle in the current Suzuki range.
It produces 111hp and 170Nm of torque, which is perfectly adequate for everyday urban driving in the S-Cross. It's a refined engine too and doesn't need to be urged past 3,000rpm to get the most from it. The five-speed manual transmission feels robust when shifting and while the front-wheel drive car is fine, buyers can specify an all-wheel drive transmission on the SZ-T grade. This 'AllGrip' system has four different settings according to conditions, but can operate in a two-wheel drive mode to reduce fuel consumption. While it is a benefit to some, we feel that sticking to the standard front-wheel drive transmission is the better choice overall.
Suzuki may be seen as a relative minnow in Ireland, but the S-Cross has quite a well set up chassis, resulting in a drive that leaves little cause for complaint. The suspension is compliant over most surfaces and does a solid job of absorbing lumps and bumps without transmitting them into the cabin. The steering is sharp, too, making the Suzuki feel relatively nimble for its size.
What you get for your Money:
Across the S-Cross range, Suzuki offers three specification grades: SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5. It is possible to add the AllGrip all-wheel drive transmission with each of the engines, but only in conjunction with the two upper trim grades. All cars feature 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth, heated and power adjustable door mirrors as standard at a minimum.
The mid-level SZ-T spec adds rear privacy glass, a leather steering wheel, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, satellite navigation, automatic headlights and wipers and LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights. Top level SZ5 grade adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, radar brake support, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof.
Alternatives
Dacia Duster: hard to ignore given the price; less polished inside, but still a good car.
Kia Sportage: now more divisively styled than before, yet more refined inside and has that seven-year warranty.
Nissan Qashqai: sharper looking, more spacious inside and that bit better to drive than the Suzuki.
Summary
It may not be the most popular crossover on the market, but driving the updated Suzuki S-Cross reveals that it is every bit as good as some of the big players in the segment. The trump cards are that willing Boosterjet engine and the generous levels of standard specification. The S-Cross is not a car to dismiss lightly, especially if you're looking for bang for your buck.