Skip advert
Advertisement

New Suzuki S-Cross 2021 review

The all-new Suzuki S-Cross is excellent value for money and good to drive, but it’s slightly utilitarian interior won’t appeal to all buyers

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Find your Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

The third-generation Suzuki S-Cross is a definite step up over the old model. It drives well, there’s tonnes of standard equipment, just enough space for the average family and, with a starting price of £24,999, it’s better value than almost anything else in the class. Cabin quality is a drawback, which isn’t quite as lavish as many of its rivals, but it’s an honest car that delivers what buyers in this class are looking for.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Suzuki S-Cross is a very important car for the brand. It was designed to push the company’s UK market share past two per cent, which doesn’t sound a lot, but going up against the like of the Volkswagen Tiguan and the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai, this is an incredibly crowded class it’s re-entering.

As a result, Suzuki has taken a good look at some of the things its competitors do well and used that as the starting point for the new S-Cross – with the aim of beating its rivals wherever it could.

This includes the engine, a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol unit, which produces 127bhp and 235Nm. It’s a proven powertrain, as it’s also found in the Swift supermini and the smaller Vitara crossover.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Focus Vignale

2020 Ford

Focus Vignale

59,430 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,676
View Focus Vignale
Puma

2023 Ford

Puma

30,377 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,597
View Puma
C4

2023 Citroen

C4

20,443 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £14,297
View C4
T-Cross

2023 Volkswagen

T-Cross

23,876 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,297
View T-Cross

It’s very willing, with all of that torque coming on strong right through the mid-range. Even if you ask for full throttle in sixth gear at 1,500rpm the engine will respond, which makes motorway overtaking easy. The six-speed manual gearbox can feel a little agricultural at times, but that adds to the car’s charm.

The ride is a little jiggly at low speed but, once you’re out of the town and on an A-road, it settles down relatively nicely. There’s also plenty of grip and traction available, especially if you opt for the four-wheel drive system on the range-topping Ultra model. And, as the car is relatively light for this class, it feels surprisingly agile by family crossover standards.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Suzuki is also keen to point out that the S-Cross is one of the most economical cars in its class, providing you don’t compare it with any full hybrid or plug-in hybrid rivals. The cheaper front-wheel drive model offers claimed fuel economy of 53.2mpg, which is almost 10mpg more than the equivalent mild-hybrid Hyundai Tucson.

The four-wheel drive manual variant we drove claims 47.8mpg, which is 3.3mpg more than Nissan claims for the two-wheel-drive mild-hybrid Qashqai.

We’d have to spend more time with the car to get a better picture of its economy in the real world, but the early signs look promising.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

However, there are drawbacks. The Suzuki S-Cross’s interior quality isn’t quite up to the standard of its Volkswagen Group competitors. Some of the trim feels quite cheap, and the doors are light and sound as much when you slam them shut. The switchgear also looks a little dated in this updated car, but all of the buttons are big and chunky, so they should prove robust.

You’d expect that, though, because the entry-level S-Cross costs £24,999 for the entry-level Motion model, which means it just undercuts the SEAT Ateca and the Volkswagen Tiguan. And the S-Cross gets a lot more standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a parking camera – all of which are optional on the SEAT and Volkswagen.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Standard kit here includes heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch driver information display and a seven-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both fitted as standard, too. It also has 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, aluminium roof rails and electrically folding door mirrors.

Opt for the range-topping £29,799 Ultra model (which, by the way, is about £2,700 cheaper than the entry-level Hyundai Tucson) and you get leather upholstery, a sliding panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree parking camera, which is a first for the brand. 

The flagship model also boasts a larger nine-inch infotainment system, which features sharper graphics and a slicker interface than other Suzuki systems, so the sat-nav screen is a lot easier to read.

The rest of the cabin is spacious enough, too. There’s room for five adults inside and the boot has a capacity of 430 litres, which is exactly the same as the Qashqai’s despite the fact the S-Cross is slightly smaller in every dimension. And, there’s a handy latch system which pushes the bench’s backrest forward to liberate an extra 10 litres of space if you need it.

Model:Suzuki S-Cross Ultra 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid AllGrip
Price:£29,799
Engine:Turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power/torque:127bhp/235Nm
Transmission:Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
0–62mph:10.2 seconds
Top speed:121 mph
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,116 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025