Suzuki takes S-Cross upmarket

SUZUKI Australia has repositioned its S-Cross small SUV, with the updated model ushering in a new turbocharged engine, additional standard gear and a $6000 price increase over the previous entry model.

The facelifted crossover will now be offered in just two front-wheel drive grades – the base Turbo from $27,990 plus on-road costs and the Turbo Prestige from $29,990.

Previously the S-Cross started in base GL guise at $21,990, but the entry variant and the four-wheel-drive GLX flagship have been ditched in the update.

Suzuki Australia general manager automobiles Andrew Moore said the car-maker followed the strategy it employed with other models, increasing standard spec.

“In the small SUV category, we know customers are refined and expect the highest level of features,” he said. “Accordingly, just like we did with Vitara, we’ve included all the key features standard in S-Cross, like sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, keyless start, privacy glass and more.”

Revealed ahead of this year’s Paris motor show, the S-Cross features a dramatically restyled front end with a bold new grille, new headlights and front bumper, as well as updated tail-lights.

Inside, the subtle changes include a new, more integrated 7.0-inch touchscreen now housing Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto) as well as some changes to interior trim.

Under the bonnet, Suzuki has dropped the naturally aspirated 86kW/156Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol unit paired with a continuously variable transmission in favour of the same 1.4-litre 103kW/220Nm turbocharged petrol engine and six-speed auto as Vitara.

The new powertrain increases the average combined fuel use figure from 5.8 litres per 100km to 5.9L/100km.

Suzuki says its “newly evolved high-performance suspension” – MacPherson strut up front and torsion beam at the rear – has benefited from European testing and resulted in “a healthier combination of handling stability and ride comfort”.

The S-Cross retains its 430-litre cargo area.

Four colours are offered – Cool White, Silky Silver, Galactic Grey and Indigo Blue – with all but the white hue coming with a premium price.

Safety wise, the S-Cross comes with seven airbags, a reversing camera, brake assist, hill hold assist and Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology which is the company’s way of describing a body structure that absorbs and disperses energy in the event of a collision.

Rear parking sensors are standard only on the top-spec Turbo Prestige.

Standard features in base Turbo guise include 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, privacy glass, electrically folding exterior mirrors, leather covered steering wheel with audio and phone controls, the 7.0-inch screen, cruise control with a speed limiter, power windows, keyless start and dual-zone climate control.

The Turbo Prestige adds auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED headlights with a leveling function, automatic wipers, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, leather accented seats and 17-inch polished alloy wheels.

The updated S-Cross joins the popular Vitara and ageing Grand Vitara and Jimny in Suzuki’s Australian SUV line-up. The baby Ignis crossover is expected in Australia next year.

While the Vitara has been a sales success for the Japanese car-maker, with 4844 sold so far this year, the S-Cross has fallen out of favour, dropping by 60 per cent year on year to 483 units.

Mr Moore said Suzuki will offer a line-up of SUVs that will appeal to a broad range of buyers.

“With Vitara, S-Cross Turbo and the new Ignis light SUV landing next year, Suzuki will have the biggest array of options for any customer looking to move into a small SUV – whether it be owners of light or small hatches, or empty nesters looking to downsize into a smaller but spacious SUV, Suzuki will have the best small SUV range to test drive.”2016 Suzuki S-Cross pricing*

Turbo (a)	$27,990
Turbo Prestige (a)	$29,990

*Excludes on-road costs