Suzuki SX4 S-Cross Launch Drive
A revamped Suzuki SX4 S-Cross will arrive in Irish Suzuki dealers this October, priced from €20,995.
Hot on the heels of the all-new Suzuki Baleno hatchback that arrived in Ireland over the summer, Suzuki are further strengthening their line-up with a major facelift and new engines for the SX4 S-Cross.
Visually the S-Cross now has a more SUV-like stance on the road. Suzuki has raised the suspension by about 1.5cm, and the front end is now higher and more upright with a bold chrome bar grille and new lights front and back.
Inside the basic cabin layout is the same but there is a new soft touch plastic dashboard pad, which looks more pleasing and gives the S-Cross a more high quality feel despite the hard plastics that still feature above and below, and in the door panels. There is seating for five and a 430 litre boot with a low, flat loading sill.
Suzuki has improved some of the materials in the cabin for a plusher feel
Suzuki has really shaken up the engine line-up to keep up with competitors (and perhaps surpass them too). Gone is the old 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and in come two brand new turbo petrol 'Boosterjet' engines: a 1.0-litre (111hp) and a 1.4-litre (150hp). The 1.6-litre diesel (120hp) will still be offered but Suzuki are keen to push their new petrol engines because they are an attractive low entry price into the range, but efficient and powerful for their size. The 1.0-litre will return up to 56.4mpg and emissions of 113g/km CO2 mean that it qualifies for motor tax of €200 per year.
Manual and automatic gearboxes are offered, as well as a four wheel drive option. The old CVT automatic gearbox has been replaced with a new dual clutch system.
At the launch I drove the 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre turbo petrols. The 1.0-litre has adequate power for the S-Cross and is very responsive to the throttle, though the absence of a sixth gear makes it less efficient for high speed cruising on the motorway. The S-Cross 1.4-litre comes with a six speed manual and is in turn even more flexible than the 1.0-litre with a strong surge of power in all the gears. Some road noise was apparent in the cabin at high speeds but the S-Cross performed overwhelmingly as a comfortable and nimble crossover. The steering is light but there was enough feedback reaching the rim for some enthusiastic driving through the long, flowing corners of our test route through North Wales.
Suzuki is looking for a slice of the petrol crossover market with two new powerful and efficient Boosterjet engines joining the SX4 S-Cross range
Three trim levels will be offered: SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5. Standard equipment includes Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, air conditioning, four electric windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, electric and heated door mirrors.
Pricing starts at €20,995 for the S-Cross 1.0-litre Boosterjet in SZ4 trim, SZ-T models start from €24,995 and SZ5 from €28,495. The 1.6-litre diesel starts at €26,995.
The new Suzuki SX4 S-Cross will be in Irish Suzuki dealers from mid-October.