Overall rating:

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

Key Facts

Model tested: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.6 DDiS SZ4 manual
Pricing: £18,249 (prices start from £14,999)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: five-door crossover
Rivals: Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Qashqai
CO₂ emissions: 110g/km
Combined economy: 67.2mpg
Top speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 12.0 seconds
Power: 120hp at 3,750rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750rpm

In the Metal:

The name might say SX4, but the addition of S-Cross to the back of this car signifies something of a change of direction for the model. While the previous SX4 was a quirky 4x4 five-door hatchback, the S-Cross is a proper crossover contender, taking the fight to the hugely successful Nissan Qashqai and its numerous rivals. So it's longer, more spacious and unquestionably less awkwardly styled. The S-Cross is smartly designed - though the front grille does look a touch droopy to these eyes.

Inside, it's all hard wearing plastics and decent fit and finish. It's not going to trouble the interior people at Volkswagen, but then it will shrug off the sort of abuse a family will mete out on it. Functional then, with everything where you'd expect it to be and nothing extravagantly styled, which isn't a complaint. Space is good, the boot sizeable and rear legroom decent - though if you opt for the dual sliding sunroof headroom in the back does suffer markedly.

Driving it:

It's clear that someone at Suzuki has a decent understanding of chassis dynamics, as the SX4 S-Cross is actually quite entertaining to drive. The steering isn't exactly loaded with information, but it's faithful to input, the S-Cross changing direction quickly and with minimal body roll. To get that the suspension is taut, with the result being a slightly busier ride than its rivals, but it's arguably worth it for the agility it brings.

There's the option of four-wheel drive as you climb the price ladder, but really a front-wheel drive model is all you could possibly want, and there are benefits in both economy and emissions for not hauling all the additional 4x4 hardware around all the time. The 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine delivers a decent punch, though it's at its best between 1,500- and 2,500rpm, there being little incentive or need to push the rev counter's needle any further. Do so and refinement suffers, for little performance gain, the six-speed unit's ratios seeming to suit the SX4 S-Cross's narrow band of torque.

That six-speed manual gearbox isn't the crispest shifting out there (it's bettered by the SX4 S-Cross's five-speed gearbox on the 1.6 petrol model), but neither is it bad enough to be a distraction. That 1.6-litre petrol engine is worth considering too, as while it might lack the torque of its diesel relation if you're not doing big miles it's more than adequate - and saves around £2,000 off the list price.

What you get for your Money:

Suzuki offers four grades: SZ3, S4, SZ-T and SZ5; the SZ-T is aimed at corporate buyers with satellite navigation included in its specification. It also gets DAB radio, as does the SZ5 model. All get alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, daytime running lights (LED on SZ5) and air conditioning - SZ4 and above gaining dual-zone climate control. You'll need SZ4 and above for Bluetooth telephone connection, too.

Worth Noting

The SX4 S-Cross is, Suzuki says, the first car to offer a dual opening panoramic sunroof. It's big, but it robs headroom in the back so if you've lankier rear passengers you might want to give it a miss.

Summary

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is an eminently likeable and decent to drive alternative to the mainstream norm in the crossover class. It's unlikely to make a massive impact on Qashqai sales, but should help Suzuki continue to increase its sales, especially as the pricing is attractive and the specifications generous.