Good value and surprisingly good to drive it was too, but if there’s one criticism you could have levelled at the previous Suzuki S-Cross, it’s that it wasn’t exactly what you’d called memorable to look at. Not so with this newly-facelifted version.

Gone is the bland styling, replaced by much tougher and more aggressive-looking body cladding, along with a much bigger, much bolder chrome grille. To these eyes it looks pretty good, though it seems to have split opinion elsewhere.

One thing’s for sure, it certainly stands out now, but that’s not all the newly-updated SX4 S-Cross has going for it. Along with the new looks come the option of new engines, new trims and new equipment – is the S-Cross more of a bargain now than it’s ever been?

Performance

There are two engines up for grabs in the S-Cross line-up, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel.

Both engines have the same 118bhp power output, with the diesel coming out on top when it comes to pulling power. 

As this is the case, many will go (and we recommend you do) for the 1.6-litre diesel as the extra thrust is always appreciated in an SUV, especially if you plan on venturing up any steep slopes. The diesel can also complete the zero to 62mph sprint in just 13 seconds.

At first, the six-speed manual gearbox in the S-Cross can feel a bit notchy for some, but the direct feel of the gear-changes are very exact, so if you like this in a transmission, happy days.

Ride and Handling

We took the S-Cross on a few uneven dirt roads and it handled itself really well.

The S-Cross’s Swift roots are unmistakable, especially when it comes to the feel of the suspension. The Swift is naturally a bit firm because it is so sporty and the S-Cross gets the same treatment. This tiff set-up is great when it comes to throwing the S-Cross into bends as there is little body roll – but take it over a cobbled road and you will know about it. Steering behind the wheel of the S-Cross is a bit on the light side, but this is usually the case with supermini-based SUV models, such as the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. Engine noise in the S-Cross can be a little intrusive, especially if you go for the 1.6-litre diesel. This noise however tends to be low down the gears and once you get to a steady speed in around fourth gear, this noise settles down. Now, on to its four-wheel drive. The ALLGRIP system gives you four modes to play around with – Snow, Sport, Lock and Auto. Auto is pretty self-explanatory, automatically distributing power when necessary. The Lock mode is an all-out off-roading mode. Set it to Lock and power will be evenly distributed to all four wheels. We took the S-Cross on a few uneven dirt roads and it handled itself really well. We are more than confident that it can handle anything you are going to throw at it – within reason of course.

Interior and Equipment

The Suzuki SX4 S-cross is based on the chassis of the Swift supermini and shares engine technology with Fiat’s popular MultiJet range. 

The interior of the S-Cross isn’t as sprightly as its competitors. It is however neat, tidy and easy to live with. Every S-Cross model gets some good core features like air-con, cruise control and USB connectivity. Unfortunately, you will have to upgrade another trim level to get Bluetooth. We tested the flagship SZ5 trim which comes with a plethora of tech and comfort features. These include a rear parking camera, DAB digital radio, leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. Speaking of sunroof, this brings me on to rear passenger space. If you opt for the sunroof this depletes headroom by a few vital inches – so if you want your rear passengers to be as comfortable as possible then you may want to stay away from this. Leg room in the rear however is excellent and the rear seats also come with a convenient reclining feature to make longer journeys more relaxing.  Boot space manages to match the Qashqai’s 430 litres. Fold the seats down and this is extended to 875 litres.

Cost

One of the biggest selling points of the S-Cross is its price, as it is cheaper than both the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti.

One of the biggest selling points of the S-Cross is its price, as it is cheaper than both the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti. Throw its four-wheel drive capability into the mix – which okay, is not standard – but its price tag starts to look even more appealing. If you opt for the 1.6-litre diesel, the S-Cross is also very generous on fuel economy, returning an average of around 60mpg. It also manages to match equivalent derivatives of its competitors by emitting just 114g/km of CO2.

Our Verdict

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is definitely a hidden gem in the crossover SUV segment. Although dropping under the radar, the S-Cross does exactly what you want a mini-SUV to do. It has the appeal of an SUV, it is practical and, as a bit of a bonus, it is four-wheel drive. Some may have not been a fan of the standard SX4, but that should not put you off as the SX4 S-Cross shares almost nothing with its similarly-named sibling. The S-Cross isn’t the most dazzling car to look at, but if you are bit tired of seeing the ubiquitous Nissan Qashqai on the road and want something a bit different, the S-Cross is an absolutely brilliant choice.