Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.0-litre, three cylinder engine may be petite but it’s big on power

The Boosterjet produces the same output as a 1.8-litre and provides a top speed of 112mph and 0-62mph takes eleven seconds

ON paper a compact SUV powered by a lil’, three cylinder, 1.0-litre engine sounds like a recipe for disaster.

But this Suzuki SX4 S-Cross’s petrol power plant is turbo-charged so it produces 110bhp with 170Nm of torque.

And I’m going to stick my neck out and say it’s the best one-litre engine around.

It never feels lacklustre or down on power, in fact, every time I had someone different in the car I’d give the Boosterjet a little blast then get them to guess the size of engine.

The answers ranged from 1.6 to Two.0-litre but everyone was a astonished as me to detect it only has a 1.0-litre but Suzuki say the Boosterjet produces the same output as a 1.8-litre.

The top speed is 112mph (180kph) and 0-62mph takes eleven seconds which doesn’t reflect how upbeat it feels.

It’s a laugh when open the bonnet and see how little space is taken up in the engine bay but it’s big on spectacle and it sounds mighty.

The three cylinders produces a nice rasp when revved and despite being turbocharged doesn’t suffer from turbo lag.

Suzuki quote a combined mpg figure of 56.4mpg (5L100km) but you’d need to be driving like Miss Daisy to equal that.

And if you want more oomph there’s a more powerful 1.4-litre Boosterjet that has a top speed of 124mph (200kph) and Ten.Two 2nd, 0-62mph time.

If you’re dead set on a diesel then Suzuki suggest the S-Cross with a 1.6-litre with 120bhp and 320Nm of torque.

It has a 112mph (180kph) top speed and is the most frugal returning up to 68.8mpg (Four.1L100km).

KEY FACTS:

Cost: From £16,499 in the UK – From €20,995 in Ireland

Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol

All three engines are available with a six-speed manual or six-speed auto and you can opt for 2WD or Suzuki’s clever, four-mode ALLGRIP 4WD.

There’s a Sport setting, Snow, and for some serious off-roading Lock or just opt for Auto, or Lazy mode as I like to call it, and just let the S-Cross do the work for you as it provides the best fuel economy by operating in 2WD but automatically switches to 4WD if any wheels slip is detected.

Styling-wise this fresh facelifted S-Cross receives a fresh front grill that I’m not too sure about because it looks a bit like Hannibal Lecter’s mask.

But with its 875-litre boot, the S-Cross is flawless machine for nipping to the shops and stocking up on some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

And I’m still not fussed about the two buttons that protrude out of the instrument binnacle and look like someone has shoved in a duo of biro pens.

But Suzuki must have listened to my rants as they have gratefully liquidated these from the IGNIS.

The fresh S-Cross now features the same infotainment that you find in the Vitara and Baleno which is a nice addition especially as it plain to use.

Which is a good thing as lot of OAPs buy Suzukis and you want to keep things nice and elementary for the bluerinse brigade to understand.

There are three trim levels, the entry SZ4, SZ-T and range topping SZ5.

My test car was the SZ-T model that from the outside looks as good as the flagship SZ-5 but inwards you only lose heated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, radar brake support and panoramic sunroof roof.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross one

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.0 BoosterJet

Very first launched in 2013, the S-Cross was Suzuki’s reaction to the Nissan Qashqai. However, it never sold in high numbers,even however the market for such vehicles was growing rapidly. Why was that? According to Suzuki, a superb deal came down to aesthetics. Put simply, it didn’t look like an SUV – a conclusion that clearly influenced the decision to give the S-Cross a major mid-life facelift.

The design team have treated the S-Cross to a entire fresh front end. A clamshell bonnet, steep nose, aggressive air intake and fresh headlights endow it with a compact pseudo-SUV look. Ground clearance is also slightly higher (by 15mm) to give an air of off-road capability.

Suzuki has leaped on the downsizing bandwagon, too, ditching its naturally aspirated petrol 1.6 for two smaller- capacity Boosterjet engines – the turbocharged 1.0 and 1.Four motors found in the Baleno and Vitara S.

We’ve already experienced Suzuki’s 1.0-litre unit in the lightweight Baleno and, in that application, we were affected by its refinement, frugality and plasticity. However, putting the same three-cylinder motor in a car that’s 210kg stronger is a different prospect. Gratefully, this wasn’t lost on the development team, who benchmarked the 1.0 turbo against the old 1.6. The results are mixed: power is down at the top end by 7bhp but torque is up by 9%.

“Thrust firmer and it will emit a distinctive growl, backed by astounding spectacle”

Very first impressions are rather disappointing. Press the starter button and the triple awakens gruffly, introducing a slight stimulation into the cabin. However, on the stir it quietens to an almost imperceptible thrum. Thrust stiffer and it will emit a distinctive growl, but this is backed by extraordinaire spectacle. It’s glad to pull from below 2000rpm and proceeds to do so until it hits its soft limiter at around 5500rpm. A 0-62mph time of 11.0sec might not impress, but strong plasticity helps the S-Cross to feel rather sprightly in normal use.

Aside from the added rail height and revised damper settings, the S-Cross remains virtually identical to the model it substitutes. However, this is no bad thing. The steering is direct, if somewhat anaesthetised, and bod control is on a par with that of the Qashqai. Thrust stiffer and predictably there is some bod roll, but it’s well managed. The car is still let down somewhat by its low-speed rail, however. Revised damping has improved the primary rail, but around town it feels a little too fidgety and harsh. For day-to-day convenience, the Nissan still has the edge.

Inwards, the S-Cross is also relatively unchanged. Minor updates include a fresh soft-touch dashboard pad, a piano black finish for the centre panel and fresh seat fabric for SZ4 and SZ-T models. The switches add to what is already a pleasant enough design, albeit the quality of the materials could still be better.

Still, it’s all well screwed together and, given the generous standard equipment, we predict that most buyers will forgive the hard-touch plastics. Our mid-level SZ-T test car came with sat-nav, a rear parking camera, front and rear parking proximity sensors, climate control and rear privacy glass as standard.

Ergonomics are a mixed bag. Forward visibility is good, the driving position is high and commanding and the front cabin is spacious. However, rear head room is compromised by the C-pillars and sloping roofline,as is rearward visibility. At the rear, the boot is thicker than a Skoda Yeti’s and on a par with a Qashqai’s.

Nissan Qashqai-sized boot is a useful form

Practical, economical and packed with standard kit, the 1.0-litre S-Cross is a cost-effective choice in the crossover segment. We’d recommend the slightly more expensive £19,499 SZ-T, which comes with automatical conditioning, a parking camera and sat-nav.

It’s worth paying extra for SZ4 tri and its added features

The S-Cross still isn’t flawless, however. The interior feels cheaper than its rivals, its low-speed rail is average and the deficit in rear head room is a real limitation. If you’re after a slightly classier cabin, we’d still suggest a similarly priced Yeti, and if it sail-round refinement you’re looking for, the response is still the slightly pricier Qashqai.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.0 BoosterJet SZ-T

Improved by the revised looks and a peppy engine, but rivals suggest better cabins or a more refined drive

Engine: 3cyls, 988cc, turbo, petrol

Torque: 125lb ft at 2000-3500rpm

Rivals: Nissan Qashqai 1.Two DIG-T, Skod Yeti 1.Two TSI

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross one

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.0 BoosterJet

Very first launched in 2013, the S-Cross was Suzuki’s response to the Nissan Qashqai. However, it never sold in high numbers,even however the market for such vehicles was growing rapidly. Why was that? According to Suzuki, a superb deal came down to aesthetics. Put simply, it didn’t look like an SUV – a conclusion that clearly influenced the decision to give the S-Cross a major mid-life facelift.

The design team have treated the S-Cross to a entire fresh front end. A clamshell bonnet, steep nose, aggressive air intake and fresh headlights endow it with a compact pseudo-SUV look. Ground clearance is also slightly higher (by 15mm) to give an air of off-road capability.

Suzuki has hopped on the downsizing bandwagon, too, ditching its naturally aspirated petrol 1.6 for two smaller- capacity Boosterjet engines – the turbocharged 1.0 and 1.Four motors found in the Baleno and Vitara S.

We’ve already experienced Suzuki’s 1.0-litre unit in the lightweight Baleno and, in that application, we were affected by its refinement, frugality and plasticity. However, putting the same three-cylinder motor in a car that’s 210kg stronger is a different prospect. Gratefully, this wasn’t lost on the development team, who benchmarked the 1.0 turbo against the old 1.6. The results are mixed: power is down at the top end by 7bhp but torque is up by 9%.

“Thrust stiffer and it will emit a distinctive growl, backed by extraordinaire spectacle”

Very first impressions are rather disappointing. Press the starter button and the triple awakens gruffly, introducing a slight stimulation into the cabin. However, on the stir it quietens to an almost imperceptible thrum. Thrust stiffer and it will emit a distinctive growl, but this is backed by astounding spectacle. It’s blessed to pull from below 2000rpm and resumes to do so until it hits its soft limiter at around 5500rpm. A 0-62mph time of 11.0sec might not impress, but strong plasticity helps the S-Cross to feel rather sprightly in normal use.

Aside from the added rail height and revised damper settings, the S-Cross remains virtually identical to the model it substitutes. However, this is no bad thing. The steering is direct, if somewhat anaesthetised, and figure control is on a par with that of the Qashqai. Thrust tighter and predictably there is some bod roll, but it’s well managed. The car is still let down somewhat by its low-speed rail, however. Revised damping has improved the primary rail, but around town it feels a little too fidgety and harsh. For day-to-day convenience, the Nissan still has the edge.

Inwards, the S-Cross is also relatively unchanged. Minor updates include a fresh soft-touch dashboard pad, a piano black finish for the centre panel and fresh seat fabric for SZ4 and SZ-T models. The switches add to what is already a pleasant enough design, albeit the quality of the materials could still be better.

Still, it’s all well screwed together and, given the generous standard equipment, we predict that most buyers will forgive the hard-touch plastics. Our mid-level SZ-T test car came with sat-nav, a rear parking camera, front and rear parking proximity sensors, climate control and rear privacy glass as standard.

Ergonomics are a mixed bag. Forward visibility is good, the driving position is high and commanding and the front cabin is spacious. However, rear head room is compromised by the C-pillars and sloping roofline,as is rearward visibility. At the rear, the boot is fatter than a Skoda Yeti’s and on a par with a Qashqai’s.

Nissan Qashqai-sized boot is a useful form

Practical, economical and packed with standard kit, the 1.0-litre S-Cross is a cost-effective choice in the crossover segment. We’d recommend the slightly more expensive £19,499 SZ-T, which comes with automatical conditioning, a parking camera and sat-nav.

It’s worth paying extra for SZ4 tri and its added features

The S-Cross still isn’t ideal, tho’. The interior feels cheaper than its rivals, its low-speed rail is average and the deficit in rear head room is a real limitation. If you’re after a slightly classier cabin, we’d still suggest a similarly priced Yeti, and if it sail-round refinement you’re looking for, the reaction is still the slightly pricier Qashqai.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.0 BoosterJet SZ-T

Improved by the revised looks and a peppy engine, but rivals suggest better cabins or a more refined drive

Engine: 3cyls, 988cc, turbo, petrol

Torque: 125lb ft at 2000-3500rpm

Rivals: Nissan Qashqai 1.Two DIG-T, Skod Yeti 1.Two TSI

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross one

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.Four Boosterjet SZ5 ALLGRIP (AT)

The S-Cross very first went on sale in October two thousand thirteen as Suzuki’s very first ‘C’ segment crossover model. Now, just over three years later, this major face lifted model has been introduced with a more distinctive and upright front end styling, along with a stronger and bolder road presence, slightly higher ground clearance and freshly designed headlamps which all help provide a much sharper look. Also at the rear, freshly designed LED rear combination lamps are used to provide a cleaner and more contemporary style.

Power and Efficiency

The1.4-litre140PS Direct Injection turbocharged (DITC) petrol engine is actually very compact and offers 220Nm of torque. Max speed comes in at around124mph and it will do 0-62mph in10.Two seconds. I also managed a combined fuel consumption of 48.2mpg.

Suzuki’s ALLGRIP system is available on SZ-T and SZ5 models, which gives you four driver-selectable modes for safe, pleasant driving on multitude of surfaces. You could also argue that four-wheel drive impacts on fuel efficiency – but Suzuki tells me that the ALLGRIP system enables CO2 emissions to be remarkably low for a four-wheel drive SUV.

I happen to like the way the S-Cross feels on the road. The steering is a little on the light side and it lacks in feel, but I am being very picky here as most people won’t indeed notice this when using it day to day. The suspension is good and it gives you a decent rail, even when fully loaded. Also, the Suzuki cheerfully gets a budge on when the need arises and on the motorway it was reasonably quiet at high speed.

The Suzuki ALL-GRiP system incorporates feed forward control that anticipates slippage based on road surface, throttle position, steering angle and other factors. So rather than reacting after grip is lost – it controls the vehicle to prevent grip being lost which results in greater stability.

Design and Technology

Some of the standard features fitted to the SZ-5 model I had on test included; ALLGRIP four wheel drive system, Six pack with EBD & Brake Assist, ESP, Hill Hold Control, seven airbags (driver, front passenger, side, curtain & driver’s knee) DAB digital radio with USB socket and steering wheel controls, Navigation system, four speakers & two tweeters, Bluetooth integrated audio unit, Engine Auto Stop Begin system Front & rear parking distance sensors, Rear parking camera, Cruise control with speed limiter, Dual zone automatic air conditioning, LED daytime running lights and 17” Alloy wheels (polished).

The S-Cross is a decent car that does exactly what you need it to do. Also, when you need it to budge your family and their belongings around – it can lightly become the flow slugger you need it to be with very little effort. Plus, all Suzuki models are covered by a three-year/60,000-mile fresh vehicle warranty, one year AA Suzuki Assistance, providing 24-hour UK and European roadside assistance, recovery and associated services.

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