Amidst the growing popularity of compact-sized crossovers, it is easy to forget that Suzuki made a relatively early stab at the concept with the original SX4 introduced globally in 2006 and launched in Malaysia a year later. Built on an expanded Swift platform, the SX4 arrived at a time when the market saw clearer lines of distinction between passenger car and SUV, although the latter was well into an ascending trajectory of popularity.
Disregarding the sedan variant that was also available, it was difficult to properly pigeonhole the SX4’s market positioning. It was definitely no SUV, but was it a hatchback? What was eminently clear about the SX4 was that it had no natural rival. Closest vehicles in concept to the SX4 were perhaps the Peugeot 3008 and may be even the Nissan X-Gear – rugged in appearance, but passenger car in substance.
The second-generation SX4 is officially called the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross. Production commenced in 2013, but it wasn’t until November 2014 that the new model finally made it to Malaysian shores. Officially, the car is called the Suzuki S-Cross in all marketing and promotional materials for our market, although the “SX4″ moniker is still visible on the vehicle’s badges, albeit spelled in smaller fonts, and consequently looking less prominent than the “S-Cross” wording.
Prices & Variants
One look at the S-Cross’ pricing gives us an idea why Suzuki Malaysia Automobile is keen to distance the new model from its SX4 forebear – from the SX4’s RM90k ballpark, the S-Cross’ pricing now jumps to over RM133k on-the-road with insurance. It is a difference of more than 40 percent, and that kind of margin takes a lot of excellence to justify.
The underlying explanation for this massive jump in price is due to the fact that the S-Cross comes fully-imported not from Japan, but from Hungary, Suzuki’s global production hub for this model. Rear fog lights and a left-mounted signal stalk are two notable consequences of the S-Cross’ European origins.
A solid manifest of equipment backs up the S-Cross’ lofty pricing – panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, HID headlamps, touchscreen with GPS and Bluetooth integration, seven airbags, and electronic stability control are included as standard fitment for the only trim level on offer.
Specifications
For all the generous amenities on offer, however, the S-Cross also gives you one of the mechanically simplest engines available at its price bracket. Shared with the Swift Sport, the 1.6-litre M16A incorporates variable valve timing, but it’s an old-fashioned naturally-aspirated port injection mill.
The four cylinders, which sweep 1,586cc of displacement, push out respectable numbers in context, but relative to the 2.0-litre NA or downsized turbos you typically get at the price range, 115hp and 156Nm feel lightweight in comparison. A CVT with paddle shifters to cycle through seven virtual ratios work to send power to the front wheels.
The chassis springs no surprises featuring all the usual ingredients that you would come to expect of any B- or C-segment passenger car, being independently sprung up front and propped up by a torsion beam at the rear. An interesting if ultimately inconsequential side note is that the S-Cross’ torsion beam is designed to accommodate all-wheel drive in markets where such an option is offered. Disc brakes at each corner supply stopping force and the steering rack is electrically assisted.
Exterior
The convoluted nature of the S-Cross’ identity mean that its styling is accordingly unconventional. You won’t, for starters, mistake it for anything else on the road. It bears noticeable similarities with the previous SX4 to establish the lineage, but carries less of its predecessor’s oddball proportions. Even if you don’t agree with its almost cartoonishly large headlamps, it’s difficult to argue that this is an awkward-looking vehicle, because it isn’t.
One thing Suzuki will no doubt be keen to highlight, however, is that the S-Cross occupies a much larger footprint than the SX4 whilst remaining just as tall – it’s length, width, and wheelbase are all stretched from the SX4’s B-segment dimensions to almost C-segment proportions. It’s not Honda CR-V size, but there’s enough metal for it to shade the Mitsubishi ASX for size.
Reinforcing its claim to crossover-hood, the S-Cross is accordingly tacked with dark grey plastic panels on its lower body work to project the pre-requisite image of ruggedness. Metallic inserts accentuate the claddings and there is fairly liberal application of chrome, seen on its front fog lamp surrounds, all-four door handles, and all along the top of the plastic claddings.
Interior
Suzuki cabins have never been the last word in plushness, but they are consistently well-built and generally difficult to fault for build quality. The S-Cross’ interior keeps to this template in that it exhibits precious little in the way of soft-touch plastics or stitchings that we’ve grown accustomed to associating with premiumness, but having them aligned with faultless consistency and generally feeling solid to the touch.
Layout and ergonomics of switchgear display a similar brand of competency – all crucial controls are within easy reach and overall legibility is good. The built-in touchscreen operates with pleasing smoothness and commendably feels like a proper factory unit rather than an aftermarket add-on. The system’s integrated reverse camera is angled too far downwards, however, severely limiting coverage of its visual range.
Despite its expanded dimensions, cabin space is merely adequate rather than outright spacious. Cubby holes are better thought out than they are on the Swift; the large bin forward of the transmission lever particularly useful in swallowing keys, sunglasses, phones, and Smart Tags. Behind, the S-Cross will swallow 440 litres of luggage with the rear seats up and 875 litres with them down. On paper, you get similar capacity with the Mitsubishi ASX and Honda HR-V, but the HR-V has more flexible folding seats and a compartment floor that is flatter and lower.
Driving Experience
Armed with less-than-stellar outputs, straight line performance is unsurprisingly not the S-Cross’ strongest suit and you’re well advised to adjust your expectations accordingly to avoid disappointment. What it does rather well, however, is delivering smooth and refined progress from low revs.
For a small displacement NA engine, there is an impressive abundance of low end torque that allows the engine to pull gamely, if unhurriedly, from below 2,000rpm. Aiding the engine is a CVT calibrated with sufficient intelligence working as an effective if unobtrusive partner.
But whilst the S-Cross’ straight performance is distinctly ordinary, its ride and handling offers far greater sparkle. While there is less steering chatter than you would get in a Swift, many characteristics of Suzuki’s lovable hatch were successfully transplanted over to the S-Cross. Considering its raised height, body movement control is impeccable, its chassis reacting to changes in direction with impressive fluidity and composure.
The S-Cross is also not a car which you would accuse of being uncomfortable. Firm without being harsh, its suspension soaks up road imperfections with confident authority.
Verdict
If you’re driving a Suzuki Swift and loving it, but badly need to upsize to a bigger car for whatever reason, the S-Cross is excellent for the purpose. It wraps all of the qualities that you’re familiar with in the much-lovable Swift into a bigger and more spacious package. Its old-school 1.6-litre NA engine may seem like a weak link on paper, but performance on offer is adequate for the purpose; we hardly found ourselves screaming for more oomph.
By and large, the S-Cross is a vehicle that is competently designed and produced; one which we struggle to dredge up any major flaw to pick on, except one – pricing. Even with its solid equipment levels and European origins in mind, the S-Cross’ lacks a stand-out quality, even if it is thoroughly likeable. To justify the kind of money Suzuki is asking for, however, the S-Cross will have to offer a little bit more.
Keyword: Suzuki S-Cross Test Drive Review