The new SX4 S-Cross - or just S-Cross as they would prefer you to call it - is a very important new model for Suzuki. We were invited to the UK media launch event at the quaint Fawsley Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire to get to grips with the new crossover.
The crossover market is currently booming with 105,000 units finding homes during 2012 and an astonishing 151,000 units sold so far this year. Suzuki has carefully thought about what makes an appealing crossover which includes SUV styling, a roomy and quality interior and a good level of safety. All of these attributes have been embedded in the design of the S-Cross from the beginning.
There are a number of reasons why the S-Cross is such an important new product for Suzuki. Firstly it is a trigger model that will see 5 new models launched every year over the next 5 years. Models will include a new A-segment model in 2014, a small SUV in 2015 and a B-Segment model to sit above the Swift in 2016.
Secondly Suzuki sees the S-Cross as its first real family-friendly and fleet fit model in their range. Currently the fleet sector makes up a small percentage of Suzuki's new car sales compared to other car makers so it's seen as an ideal place to grow the brand.
The old SX4 was a supermini-sized cross between an MPV and a 4x4 but this new model is quite different. It has grown in size so is now aimed squarely at Nissan's hugely popular Qashqai - which was mentioned frequently during the presentation - along with all of the other C-Segment crossovers that crowd the sector.
The S-Cross has 39 mm more kneeroom and 44 mm more legroom than the previous SX4 and a large 430 litre boot which is 20 litres more than the Qashqai and 32 litres more than Suzuki's own Grand Vitara.
There's also a new four-wheel-drive system called ALLGRIP which has four different modes to suit a variety of different conditions which includes Lock, Snow, Sport and Auto. Other firsts for Suzuki as a brand include sat nav with reversing camera, DAB radio, Tyre pressure monitor, cruise control with limiter, hill hold control and stop-start.
Suzuki and value for money have always gone hand-in-hand and the S-Cross is no exception with prices starting from just £14,999 for the base SZ3 rising to £23,549 for an all-singing, all-dancing SZ5. There is also an SZ-T trim level specifically targeted towards the fleet sector which includes DAB radio and sat nav. Naturally all of the models provided for us to try were SZ5s.
Equipment levels across the range are very generous with all S-Cross’ getting seven airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, DRLs, alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, skid plates and arch extensions.
Two engines are offered - both of which are 1.6-litre 4-cylinder units with 118 bhp. The petrol is available with either a 5-speed manual or CVT transmission in either front or four-wheel-drive. The diesel has a 6-speed box and can also be specified with a choice of driven wheels.
Thanks to the use of high-tensile steel in its construction and engines tweaked for optimum efficiency the S-Cross offers class-leading economy and emissions. Front driven diesels emit just 110 g/km of CO2 and can return 62.7 mpg combined. At the other end of the scale the all-wheel-drive petrol manual emits 135 g/km and returns 47.8 mpg combined. Still hardly thirsty and some way ahead of the majority of the competition. Suzuki has also extended service intervals to 12,500 miles which will save owners cash in the long-term.
What's it like?
When I first saw pictures of the SX4 S-Cross I wasn't entirely sold on the looks but seeing the car for real it gels together much more successfully. The front lights are pretty huge as is the grill and they seem a little low but it looks pretty fresh. In profile the 17-inch wheels look quite small and the panel surfacing is simple but it is certainly neat. The rear is the only letdown for me with light units that ape the Qashqai a little too much and lack character.
Inside anyone familiar with the Swift will instantly feel at home as most of the trim and switchgear is carried over. The design is a little staid but its simplicity it to be admired which extends the faultless layout.
The materials used are quite primitive and cheap-feeling with the only exception being a slab of tactile trim on the main section of the dash. The doors shut with a hollow twang but everything does feel very well screwed together.
As Suzuki are so proud to point out cabin space is plentiful in the front, rear and the boot too is big with good access. The only minor issue is with rear headroom which is a little restricted due to the huge panoramic roof - without it there should be no problems.
During the launch I had the opportunity to drive a variety of versions. The first was a front-wheel-drive 1.6 DDiS diesel - expected to be the biggest seller in the UK - in rather fetching Boost Blue paintwork. With 236 lb/ft of torque from 1,750 rpm there is a good amount of power on offer and despite a little clatter under acceleration it’s a very easy engine to get on with proving smooth and punchy. The 6-speed gearbox is also a gem with a precise, snappy action.
You don’t expect a crossover to handle well but the S-Cross is a lot better than it needs to be. The driving routes we were given offered a good mix of conditions and the S-Cross was great to drive on all of them.
The steering is light but direct and communicative making it easy to place the car on the road. It handles very well with a little magic from the Swift shining through with plenty of poise and grip making it feel very agile indeed.
If there was one aspect of the S-Cross that I didn't shine to it was its refinement - or lack of it. Wind noise is very noticeable most of the time and although the ride is far from uncomfortable it is a touch underdamped. This was particularly noticeable when driving over manhole covers which you could hear and feel a little too much.
Next up was the 1.6-litre petrol with ALLGRIP. The difference is staggering as the petrol unit produces just 115 lb/ft of torque which is half that of the diesel so it means you have to work the engine hard to get the best from it. Power delivery is smooth and the 5-speed box is just as sweet at the 6-speeder. Performance is pretty leisurely even if you really rev the engine hard but it is certainly very refined.
The ALLGRIP system adds a bit of extra weight to the S-Cross but it makes it feel a little more planted during cornering and the additional grip is always welcome. There wasn't much of an opportunity to try out the four-wheel-drive system but Suzuki is very experienced in this area so it should be more than capable of scampering down the odd muddy farm track.
After a much needed break for lunch it was time to try a 1.6-litre petrol CVT with ALLGRIP. First impressions weren't great because the CVT transmission revs the engine very hard when trying to make swift progress which isn't very pleasant. If taking things a little more slowly it isn't so bad with reasonably smooth changes and the option of using the column mounted paddles. If you really must have an automatic there are worse gearboxes out there but the manuals are definitely the ones to choose.
After a day getting under the skin of the new SX4 S-Cross it was easy to see that Suzuki’s absence from the C-Segment crossover sector has worked to their advantage. They have been able to see what the competition have to offer then have tailored the new car to the offer a little more in all of the key areas.
The Suzuki’s biggest asset is its driving experience which is really very good and almost fun. Its cabin is spacious and well designed and the S-Cross looks good too. Its pricing also seems to be spot on undercutting quite a few of its rivals and low running costs are sure to appeal.
Stay tuned as in the coming months we will be getting to know the S-Cross over a longer period of time to see what it is like to live with.
A special thanks to the Suzuki UK PR team for their kind invitation to this event.
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