Versatile New S-Cross Arrives with Bold Styling and Enhanced Comfort

Suzuki New Zealand’s solid range of compact SUV models is further strengthened with the arrival of the new astutely engineered, five-door S-Cross.

Bold, dynamic styling compliments a spacious and versatile interior for the new generation S-Cross, the largest car in the Suzuki lineup. Two variants are launched, each more highly specified than before and featuring new technology aiding safety and convenience.

With its high ground clearance and easy accessibility, the all-new TECT safety-engineered body for the 2022 S-Cross makes a strong statement with a bold, muscular look, heightened by a raised bonnet appearance and the hexagonal gloss piano-black grille.

Three point design for the LED headlights are auto levelling and have a light sensing function, turning on at night fall or in low light situations. In addition to the LED daytime running lamp facility, fog lamps and rear combination lamps work together to keep the vehicle more visible and safe on the road.

Emphasising the smooth, flowing lines of the sloping profile are square shaping of the wheel arches and a sloping roof line topped with slimline silver aluminium roof rails.

Dimensionally similar to the outgoing model with an overall length 4300 mm and wheelbase of 2600 mm, the latest Japanese engineered, Hungarian assembled S-Cross is available in JX and JLX grades. The JX Turbo comes in two-wheel-drive and the higher specification JLX Turbo is available with either two-wheel-drive or Suzuki’s electronically controlled AllGrip Select four-wheel-drive system. Each model has a six-stage automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

All three models have the lively and proven 1.4 litre K14C-DITC Boosterjet turbo engine. Developing 103 kW at 5,500 rpm, the direct injection Bosterjet has a seven-hole injector nozzle that not only increases engine output but also lowers emissions. Under the Clean Car discount programme the new S-Cross remains neutral.

At the same time variable fuel pressure control reduces particulate matter and particulate number. With a generous 220 Nm of torque ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, the power unit provides effortless performance matched to the 2WD S-Cross averaging 5.9 litres/100 km economy in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) that measures exhaust emissions and fuel consumption (6.6L/100km 3P WLTP3). The AWD model achieves 6.2 litres/100 km in the combined NEDC cycle (6.9L/100km 3P WLTP3).

The AllGrip AWD allows the driver to choose from four selectable driving modes via a simple push-and-turn dial. For most use the Auto mode prioritises fuel economy in typical driving conditions while switching to AWD if it detects wheelspin. The selection of the Sport mode alters throttle response rates and torque characteristics for even better engine response.

The Snow mode optimises for snowy, unpaved and other slippery conditions such as gravel roads often encountered on back country rural roads in New Zealand. In rarely used Lock mode, the Suzuki can be extricated from snow, mud or sand with constant high torque distribution to all four wheels.

Both JX and JLX are equipped as standard with 215/55 R17 tyres and 17-inch diameter alloy wheels, silver finished on JX and polished face on the higher grade version.

The latest preventive safety technologies have been adopted on the new S-Cross with dual sensor brake support (DSBS) which consists of a monocular camera and a laser ranging device on the windscreen to determine risk of a collision with an obstacle such as a vehicle or pedestrian. It also detects lane markers to assist drivers remain in their driving lane.

With the use of a grill mounted radar unit the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) determines the risk of a collision with an obstacle in front and the system includes forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation brake assist that increases the driver’s braking force and automatic braking. This automatically applies strong or extra braking to prevent or minimise damage in a collision when it determines that the risk is unavoidable.

New to the S-Cross model is adaptive cruise control that automatically maintains distance with the vehicle in front, according to three different distance settings. In addition, the stop and go function brings the car to a full stop behind the preceding vehicle, following the vehicle if it starts to move again within two seconds. Blind spot monitor uses sensors mounted on both sides of the rear bumper, warning the driver of vehicles approaching diagonally from behind or alongside. Should the driver activate the indicators, the blind spot monitor is accompanied by a warning sound.

The rear cross traffic alert system assists the driver when maneuvering out of parking spaces where vision is obscured. When reversing at speeds up to 8 km/h the Suzuki uses a pair of rear mounted radar sensors to assist the driver by alerting them of approaching vehicles on either side. The driver is given a visual alert on the car’s multi-information display plus a warning sound.

The forward detection system also includes lane departure warning and weaving alert. Standard features include front and rear parking monitoring and hill hold control that stops the S-Cross from rolling back when the driver shifts from the brake to the accelerator.

JLX models feature a new 360-degree view camera system with four cameras - one each on the front, rear and sides of the S-Cross - which are linked to the 9-inch display audio, the largest ever factory head unit offered on a Suzuki passenger car. This provides a 360-degree view and 3D opening view, allowing the driver to check surroundings from the display audio before starting off. A bird’s eye view supports safer parking and a high-resolution view can be enlarged. Automatic front or rear view display switches according to gear selection.

The customised 9-inch display atop the centre of the JLX fascia includes Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and voice recognition. The 7-inch display on the JX Turbo also offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition available only when connected to a smartphone. Standard features also include radio, music and movie USB, iPod and Bluetooth music playback and JLX boasts satellite navigation. A seven-speaker tuner is standard on JLX while JX has a six-speaker tuner.

Hands-free phone calling via Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and start, and dual-zone climate controlled air conditioning are standard. Interior comfort has been upgraded with the JLX featuring leather sides and leather-effect weave upholstery in the centre of the seats while high and low heating settings for the front seats with separate controls for driver and passenger are standard in all three models.

They all include a height adjustable driver’s seat, an overhead console box and leather covered steering wheel with steering wheel controls.

With the front seats offering a spacious 929 mm of legroom and the rear improving to 814 mm, interior space is not only roomy but flexible and there is a multi-position luggage area plus a front centre console box and adjustable front centre armrest box between the front seats.

A total of 430-440 litres of boot space is available with the 60/40 split folding rear seats in an upright position. The rear seats can be set at two angles to increase space in the load area and the luggage board lowers into the floor to increase usable space.

“While the new S-Cross is loaded with useful new technology, the car has simple ergonomics and the revamped updated styling result in good all round visibility,” said Gary Collins, General Manager of Motor Vehicle Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.

Steering is electric power assisted rack and pinion and coil spring suspension is employed front and rear with MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam rear suspension. Four wheel disc brakes are ventilated up front and solid discs for the rear wheels.

Seven body colours are available with Cool White Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, Canyon Bronze Pearl, Sphere Blue Pearl, Energetic Red Pearl and Titan Dark Grey Pearl while Cosmic Black Pearl is exclusive to the JLX Turbo.

The first generation S-Cross was unveiled by Suzuki in 2013 and introduced to the New Zealand market early the following year. It was facelifted with a more aggressively styled front end in 2018, featuring further upgrades. In 2019 the S-Cross captured 8.6 percent of Suzuki New Zealand sales.

The new S-Cross JX Turbo 2WD has a recommended retail price of $35,990, JLX Turbo 2WD $38,990 and JLX Turbo 4WD $40,990, plus on-road costs. Included is a five-year extended warranty package and five-year Suzuki Assist which is one of New Zealand’s most comprehensive roadside assistance programmes.