Suzuki S-Cross GLX AWD 2015 Review

Determined to compete more effectively in the highly-active light SUV segment, it wanted to do something none of the others were doing, while covering all the necessary (and some not quite so necessary) bases.

What it has ended up with is a five-door hatch that looks like something of a cross between an SUV and a mini wagon. Perhaps most importantly, the company concocted a vehicle that stacks up well, in terms of space-efficiency, while adding a modicum of SUV credibility through the availability of a couple of all-wheel drive variants.

Even though Suzuki insists a degree of extra ability is factored into the S-Cross, the style is more suggestive of a small, Peugeot 2008-style wagon than, say, a Mitsubishi ASX SUV, even if there’s not much in it as far as overall dimensions are concerned.

But the Suzuki does tend to kick goals in the provision of luggage space, where it sits at the upper end (if not the top) of the ladder. It is particularly strong in this segment with the amount of storage available (430 litres) when all seats are in place. And – even if there are some that do better – the cabin cossets adequately both front and rear-seat passengers as well.

Suzuki, discussing the S-Cross, makes many references to the smaller Swift model. The hatch supplied the driveline basics for the S-Cross, including the 1.6-litre engine and the manual / CVT transmissions – as well as the on-demand AWD system that is available in some markets (but not Australia).

Perhaps this is why it comes across as more of a road grip-enhancing system than an occasional off-road adventurer. Although the four-mode (Auto, Sport, Snow or Lock) AWD system, that is standard on the top-spec GLX Prestige model – and optional on the GLX version as tested – suggests a degree of exploratory adventure might be on the cards, the lack of any real ground clearance (165mm) quickly puts a stop to any of that. Here, AWD is, more than anything else, a stability and traction enhancer on smooth-surfaced wet, icy or loose-gravel roads.

The steering isn’t the best electronic system we’ve driven: Vague in the straight-ahead position and quite artificial-feeling when the S-Cross is pushed into a corner, the steering contributes to the fact that the chassis doesn’t do any real justice to the AWD driveline.

The ride however is acceptably smooth and absorbing, while the turning circle is a reasonably tight at 10.4m.

And it’s fortunate Suzuki’s heavy use of high-strength steels in body construction has kept the weight down: Despite having a light 1190kg to haul around – which is a mere 65kg more than the 2WD version of the GLX – the 4WD S-Cross is not overly accelerative.

With just 86kW to work with, and its 156Nm of torque not arriving until 4400rpm, the S-Cross always feels a little undernourished. It's also not necessarily all that happy to rev out to the 6000rpm where maximum power is developed. The CVT helps a lot here – if you don’t mind the steady, rowdy revving – by keeping the 1.6-litre engine in its most effective rpm zone.

But there’s a positive side: The engine in more regular use is actually pretty quiet and, on test, our GLX S-Cross happily coincided with the official claimed fuel consumption average of 6.2L/100km over a week of testing on a variety of roads, from suburban back streets to freeways.

Returning to the all-important aspect of packaging, the S-Cross fares rather well. There's reasonable legroom for rear-seat passengers, a big central armrest between the two front seats and that handy 430-litre boot. The cargo area also incorporates a bi-level floor with a hidden compartment for storing valuables out of sight. The split-fold rear seat folds down conventionally and quickly to open up an extremely workable 1269-litre load area.

And there’s no criticism of the GLX’s standard equipment that includes seven airbags, sat-nav, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, lane-assist technology, a reversing camera, Bluetooth and voice command. We also liked the GPS-verified real-time road speed display on the LCD screen.

What we weren’t so fond of were the over-anxious unlocking system that always seemed to require too many jabs of the remote key to open the S-Cross to all passengers – or the groaning protest from three of the test car’s door stays when passengers were entering or leaving.

All of this is against the backdrop of an increasingly tough light SUV segment where a growing number of quality contenders are out for the kill. That is a fact of which Suzuki is undoubtedly aware. It certainly needs to be.

Also consider:
>> Peugeot 2008 (from $21,990)
>> Ford EcoSport (from $20,790)
>> Mitsubishi ASX (from $24,990)