Autumn 2013
S-Cross changes
Suzuki's game
Suzukis have always been regarded as safe, reliable cars usually bought by traditional, older
customers. But that's about to change with their new SX4 S-Cross, competing at the smaller end of
the compact crossover segment and aimed directly at a much wider base, including younger buyers.
Conquest sales are being seriously targeted.
The S-Cross is the first new car from the company in the last three years and will aim at taking
customers from the Nissan Qashqai, Mitsubishi ASX and the increasingly successful Opel Mokka.
The new car has more aggressive styling than any Suzuki car to date, but not offensively so. It's
sporty too, with a little muscle showing in its lines.
It comes in both 2WD and AWD versions with 1.6-litre 120hp petrol and diesel engines. The petrol
has a 5-speed gearbox while diesels get a 6-speed one. A bad winter could see the AWD version in
demand for commuting or for the school run. With an all-new selectable 4-mode system Suzuki calls
AllGrip, they include Snow and Sport driving modes. In normal driving, AllGrip keeps the car in 2WD
unless wheel spin is detected, when torque is diverted to the back wheels. There's a 'Lock' mode for
extricating the car from snow, mud or sand, distributing high torque to all four wheels.
Both petrol and diesel engines offer respectable C02 emissions and low fuel consumption. Road tax
bands are from A3-B1.
Three grades are offered, GL, GL+ and GLX. All come with seven airbags and ESP as standard as
well as Bluetooth, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, tyre pressure warning, heated door
mirrors, and a skinny spare.
With 20 litres more boot space than the Qashqai, the new Suzuki doesn't skimp on rear seat
accommodation either, with 39mm more rear knee room and 44mm more rear leg room than the
current SX4 model. A 5-star ENCAP crash rating is expected.
Suzuki Ireland says the SX4 S-Cross volume seller here will be the GL 2WD diesel model priced from
€23,645. The €19,995 1.6 petrol is in Band B for annual road tax, quite an achievement for a petrol
engine.
Good to see the brand driving on.
Trish Whelan.
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