Suzuki S-Cross Awd Turbo Hatch

• Published date: 01 May 2023
• Publication title: West Coast Farming Times, The

Fresh new styling featuring a raised bonnet and hexagonal gloss piano-black grille, provides a more muscular appearance than the old model. While the old and new one look diff erent, they sing from the same song sheet beneath the skin, with a similar chassis and drive trains

This latest S-Cross comes from two very diff erent worlds. It was engineered in Japan and is built in Hungary and off ered in JX and JLX grades. The entry level JX comes as a two-wheel-drive while the higher specification JLX Turbo is off ered in both two and four wheel drive forms. The latter features Suzuki's excellent electronically controlled All Grip Select four-wheel-drive system.

All models have been upgraded to Suzuki's proven 1.4 litre Boosterjet turbo engine.

Under the Clean Car discount programme the latest S-Cross is fee neutral.

First cab of the new S-Cross ranks is the price leading $35,990 JX Turbo 2WD, while the higher spec JLX Turbo in 2WD guise lists at $38,990 with the 4WD model provided for this road looking the pick of the bunch at $40,990.

Suzuki's latest generation turbocharged engine remains as impressive as ever. This forced-induction power plant has minimal turbo lag thanks to a compact turbocharger fitted directly to the cylinder head. Good for 103kW of maximum power, 220nm that is always striving to be the best it can and is an honest hard working motor. Smoothness and low noise levels even when worked hard make this a very easy motor to live with.

The slick and well-calibrated six-speed automatic, shared with its compact SUV sibling the Vitara, carries over unchanged from the previous model and delivers on all gear changing fronts. This transmission and engine are old buddies and work together like a well-oiled machine.

Front seats offer a generous 929mm of leg room and 814mm in the rear, excellent for a smallish SUV. Up to 440 litres of boot space is available with the 60/40 split folding rear seats in an upright position -- very impressive and a load of owner's minds.

The test vehicle had an all...