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Suzuki S-Cross drive by Steve Rogers
How can something be big and small at the same time?
Bit of a conundrum but not necessarily in the case of
the Suzuki S-Cross hybrid. It is one of those cars that sits in a league of its
own, classed as a small SUV but big compared to its rivals. Puzzle solved.
If we
discount Swace and Across, both rebadged Toyotas, S-Cross is now the halo model
although if asked to name a Suzuki most would likely say Vitara, Swift or Ignis
before S-Cross.
Yet this
is a car not without its merits and in many ways is the unsung hero of the
range. Suzuki is not a big player in the UK market so has to rely on its
enviable reliability record and value for money, even base models are packed
with standard kit and S-Cross is no exception but I would probably avoid the
flagship Ultra, tested here, and save money by going lower down the range.
The
Ultra name sums up the car because it has a long spec sheet that includes an
automatic gearbox and the highly efficient all wheel drive system. I could not
help comparing S-Cross with the MG HS. This is a £24,000 SUV that could take a £30k price tag while the Ultra does not
feel like a car nudging £33,000.
The
cabin is bland with a lot of hard black plastic finishes, yet everything is
solidly put together; you will find no trim creak or rattles here.
The tech
has been updated with new graphics for the nine inch touch screen, along with a
surround camera which is exclusive to S-Cross. Navigation is also standard on
Ultra but all models come with Smartphone mirroring so mobile direction apps
can be displayed on the screen.
I was
also glad to see a digital speedometer in the driver's binnacle something badly
needed given the European style 20mph increments
in the main dial which are not that clear on the silver background.
S-Cross
does well on space front and back although headroom could be a tad tight for
six footers as the rear bench sits higher than the front seats. All the seats
are firm but supportive.
That
firmness carries through to the ride which smothers bumps and thuds as well as
controlling body roll, but you could not describe the car as super comfortable,
probably a bi-product of the all wheel drive system and the need for stiffer
suspension.
Although
it pushes up the cost Suzuki's Allgrip is an exceptional four wheel drive
option compared with big money alternatives. Let's not kid ourselves that this
is a full blown off roader but it has settings for three surfaces and I know
from experience that it will get you out of gluey mud and give peace of mind in
snow and slush, and it comes with hill hold control.
A six
speed auto box is standard on the Ultra and helps give S-Cross terrific
economy. Using the economy setting I coasted past the official combined figure
easily topping 50mpg, and that is a big selling point particularly for four
wheel drive. The only drawback in economy is a slowish response pulling away
and I found myself slipping into manual for a faster getaway.
Safety
is well catered for with adaptive cruise control, lane assist and cross traffic
alert which is so useful when reversing out of supermarket parking bays. I
would like to see that on all cars. The 360 degree camera is a worthwhile
addition and there are front and rear parking sensors.
Interestingly
the better performing S-Cross has the smaller 1.4 litre engine but I would
stick with the hybrid because of the economy benefits even though it is not
that quick and a bit coarse when pushed.
Fast
facts
S-Cross
Ultra Allgrip
£32,649 (starts £26,099)
1.5
litre hybrid 113bhp
0-62mph
13.5secs; 108mph
48.7mpg
combed (54mpg tested)
132g/km.
First tax £245
Insurance group 16
