Part II…
INFOTAINMENT
A 9-inch touchscreen is a step up from the 7-inch system in the base model. A clear colour display supports factory-fitted satellite navigation, camera with all-round view and digital radio info.
Apple CarPlay customers enjoy wireless communication, while Android Auto folk have to make do with wired connectivity.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Lift the bonnet. There’s nothing (new) to see here. Those familiar with the previous model will recognise the engine, a 1.4 litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor producing 103 kW and 220 Nm, mated with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, now taking in the new Suzuki all-wheel drive system, AllGrip.
SAFETY
Standard safety comes with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver fatigue monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors.
DRIVING
The featherweight BoosterJet engine has a spring in its step, with plenty of low-down torque and a well-matched torque-converter auto. Plastic paddle shifts are best ignored.
However, the spicy motor and well-sorted ride and handling package were good enough to throw the S-Cross assuredly around on corners, while feather-light steering pointed the nose in the desired direction and slow-speed parking in tight spots was low on trepidation.
A claimed combined urban / highway fuel consumption figure of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres translated in test car terms to 8 litres per 100 kilometres in city traffic and 5 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road. Not too much of a financial burden on the recommended 95 RON juice.
Getting to grips with a wide range of conditions under foot, the car’s multi-mode all-wheel-drive system offers Normal, Sport, Snow and Lock stages, running predominantly from the front wheels in Normal to 66:33 split in Snow.
Front bias helps keep the vehicle on a straight course on ice. Snow also firms up stability control, while leaving traction control unfettered in snow. Lock serves up a steady-as-she-goes 50:50 split.
Sport takes charge from the rear, partly freeing stability control, while calling on transmission operation to be more responsive. All are to hand via a knob on the centre console behind the gearshift lever.
SUMMARY
The S-Cross is far from my favourite Suzuki, with the aforementioned Jimny, Swift and Vitara, atop the podium positions. However, with the spritely performance of the latest generation, the S-Cross is making a gallant effort to grab the attention of people like me. It’s beginning to work.
Note that Suzuki Queensland is a separate entity to Suzuki in the rest of Australia, but it’s expected that the two entities will be very much the same. If you’re in another State or Territory and considering buying a Suzuki we suggest you talk to the dealer of your choice about the new model.
The 2022 S-Cross is being released in Queensland with two specification lines: GL-Plus and GLX with the GLX also having the option of a sunroof. The model names elsewhere are All Grip and All Grip Premium respectively with the latter having the sunroof as
