Review of new Suzuki S-Cross finds SUV that has stepped up in class

Not renowned for good looks, the 2023 Suzuki S-Cross compact SUV has been overhauled with improved sheetmetal and better technology

Once on-roads are settled, the Suzuki Swift S-Cross costs about $47,000.

Brand ascension is an interesting phenomenon.

Look around at the youngsters and New Balance kicks are all the rage. Strong celebrity backing on social networks are fanning the cultural wildfire, which has helped escalate New Balance above the likes of Nike and Adidas for sneakerheads.

Suzuki has enjoyed a similar trajectory in recent years. Since the launch of its new Jimny, the Japanese brand has created a hyped culture of its own.

Covid has hampered supply and many keen buyers are willing to queue for more than 12 months to get one … and now there is a five-door version on the way.

Joining the Suzuki ranks in the past quarter was the reimagined S-Cross. Like the Jimny, supply is tight, but this new model comes with improved looks, along with a heftier price tag.

The new Suzuki Swift S-Cross is available in two trims, range-topping GLX and GL+.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: Chunky and muscular, the S-Cross now has some nice angles.

GRANT: Former versions were far from catwalk winners. This latest derivative looks more defined while maintaining a metro edge.

KEL: We’ve had positive affiliation with Suzuki in our family courtesy of my mum’s Swift. She had a great run of more than 200,000km over 10 years and while the S-Cross is updated, it has a familiar cabin feel.

GRANT: The Japanese marque has an enviable reputation for longevity, which probably explains the somewhat basic interior appointments.

KEL: When first climbing inside it was easy to navigate all the functions with the nine-inch touchscreen the most notable tech-savvy inclusion. You mentioned there had been a price hike, how much?

GRANT: Our test was in the GLX version which is about $47,000 once on-roads are settled. Metallic paint is extra, while a sunroof is another $1000. There is also a GL+ which is about $2500 less.

KEL: Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed that kind of investment.

GRANT: Suzuki has made giant strides with safety inclusions. But it does place the S-Cross among some tough competition, like the upper echelon models of the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V and the Kia Seltos.

Inside the new Suzuki S-Cross cabin.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Maintaining a simple design meant easy operation. I liked being able to sit inside, plug in my phone to enable Apple CarPlay, while accessing the aircon controls was easy on the dash. Many modern cars hide things in the main touchscreen, I still prefer this “old-school” method.

GRANT: Analog gauges are also used for the driver rather than a full digital display. There is a 4.2-inch information display within the driver’s instruments which offers a digital speedo and a range of driving information … although the G-force meter seems ambitious.

KEL: Interior space was good for a small SUV.

GRANT: Fitting three teenage boys across the back seat was tight but not rivalling a can of sardines. The driving position is also excellent with ample headroom front and back.

KEL: During our weekly grocery shop there were no issues with about 12 bags packed to capacity.

GRANT: One beach trip we also managed two surfboards with only one of the rear seats dropped.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

WHAT DID YOU LOATHE?

KEL: These days I have become accustomed to the luxuries in life. The S-Cross had heated seats, one of my musts, but absent was wireless phone charging, ventilated power seats, newer USB-C ports or a head-up display.

GRANT: It also had a hand-operated park brake which have become a rarity with most manufacturers gravitating toward buttons. Typical Suzuki plastics are used around the cabin, although the seat trim is a combination of leather (both natural and man-made).

KEL: On some harsher bitumen surfaces there was a reasonable amount of road noise.

GRANT: The S-Cross doesn’t feel as well insulated as some of its rivals. Servicing costs are reasonable, but intervals are annual or every 10,000km. Many non-turbo models these days are 15,000km.

The Suzuki Swift S-Cross on test returned average fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Spritely off the mark, I enjoyed the experience whether in traffic, on the open road or twisty rural conditions.

GRANT: Under the bonnet it’s essentially the same engine we have seen in the Vitara, a turbocharged four-cylinder. For an SUV it feels competent when changing directions without excessive body roll.

KEL: Parking was easy, and I especially liked the cool aerial view it provided when you started the car to show all surroundings before setting off.

GRANT: That’s among the new inclusions. Also standard is adaptive cruise control to maintain safe distances from other vehicles, parking sensors front and back, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert to warn if there is oncoming traffic when you’re reversing.

KEL: There was ample grip; can it go off-road?

GRANT: Gravel and snow-covered roads would be the limit. It boasts all-wheel drive that in auto mode mainly sends power to the front. Use lock and it sends maximum torque to the rear wheels while Sport has a rear-wheel bias for better cornering. The Jimny and Vitara would better suit those with off-roading ambition.

Under the Suzuki Swift S-Cross bonnet is a turbocharged petrol engine, a close relation to the one found in the Vitara.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: There is a lot to like in the new S-Cross, especially the tougher looks. Although the price would make me baulk given the rivals in this size.

GRANT: Zesty performance and uncomplicated cabin design is among the S-Cross positives. It’s true the competition makes the sticker price hard to swallow, yet I’m still smitten with the Jimny for its off-road ability and I’d be willing to sacrifice the niceties in the S-Cross to wait for the five-door Jimny version instead.