2022 Suzuki S-Cross JLX Turbo AWD review

Suzuki has overhauled its S-Cross, giving it more SUV-like styling and piling on the specification. But has it lost its value charm? We investigate.

It may not be an all-new model but the latest Suzuki S-Cross sures looks a heap better. Suzuki calls it ‘astutely engineered’, a euphemism for what is essentially a major facelift of its biggest offering. And so the 2022 S-Cross brings with it more style, added safety tech, an updated infotainment unit and a better standard fitout.

However, as with every commodity, prices have risen. Where the most expensive S-Cross was $34k in 2021, the range now starts at $36k for the 2WD JX while the top JLX AWD model is $40,990. But, as mentioned, it’s packing a lot more kit this time around so there’s still value here.

Even Suzuki NZ admits the old model’s styling didn’t quite hit the mark and so the new version adopts more of an SUV-like design, with an upright front end. It’s been styled to appear taller and wider than the old model, though dimensionally it’s similar, still around 4.3m long, while the wheelbase is unchanged at 2600mm. It’s therefore larger than the Vitara, fitting for the company’s ‘flagship model’. There’s the usual black wheel arches and skid plates but thankfully much less chrome trim.

There are two grades, JX and JLX, both utilising an unchanged 103kW/220Nm 1.4 turbo hooked to a six-speed auto. While the JX is 2WD only, the JLX can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Both models are fee neutral under the CCD programme, with the 2WD rated at 6.6L/100km and the AWD at 6.9L/100km. And those figures aren’t too hard to replicate, as even we averaged 7.2L/100km for our week with the AWD model.

The 1.4 ‘Booster Jet’ majors on easy-going, low-down torque so it’s on the case quickly with little need to work it hard. It’s helped by the relaxed nature of the auto which upshifts early to ease fuel use. It can be a little slow to react to requests for added steam but eventually kicks down when you floor the gas pedal.

You can manually shift it via the paddles if you really feel the need to whip it along. But the fact you can get close to its promised fuel economy should appeal more to would-be buyers. Note however, that it does require 95 octane. Designed in Japan but made in Hungary, the S-Cross is a Euro-specific model and so it’s inevitable there will be a hybrid version at some point but as to when is unclear. And it’ll be even more expensive.

This ‘AllGrip’ AWD model has selectable driving modes with the on-demand Auto setting the default (which prioritises fuel economy). There’s also Sport (improves engine response and sends a bit more drive to the rears), Snow (maximises traction on slippery surfaces by altering the ESP settings and adding yet more drive to the rears) and a Lock mode is used to help unstick a stuck S-Cross by splitting the torque between the front and rear axles.

This rides well given the torsion beam rear suspension, only bumping over the nastier edges on the highway. The steering has an overly light action and so a lot of the sensation has been removed from its operation. It’s fine in the city, helpful even when parking. But it makes for a fairly vague front end through the bends. That’s not such a drama as the S-Cross keeps itself tidy around corners, and the grip to power ratio is well struck.

There’s enough ground clearance for what the average buyer will likely get up to and it ploughs ahead nicely on a gravel road. There’s good traction in the loose stuff, it soaks up the potholes and the ESP catches any untoward slides calmly. One good thing about the older underpinnings is an actual handbrake and so we couldn’t resist yanking it on to facilitate a quick turn around. It had been so long.

The S-Cross now gets more stuff onboard, something you can afford when the majority of the mechanicals and chassis carry over. So expect dual zone A/C, a leather-wrapped wheel, auto lights and wipers, and a smart key on both models. The unlocking button on the door handle for the latter might look unsightly but it works better than some of the touch sensitive solutions, which can be hit and miss. There’s still a decent helping of hard plastic about the cabin and it’s all quite dark and drab but it’s well made with a robust feel to everything. S-Cross attributes such as ease of entry, helped by high set seats, and good all round outward vision remain.

The S-Cross receives a thorough update in the safety stakes with radar and camera hardware enabling active cruise with stop and go functionality. Although it works in slow moving traffic, and will bring you to a stop, it then disengages, so you’re in charge of setting off again. It also has a wee panic whenever one lane becomes two. Warning alerts from the collision avoidance systems are rare and there is now blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure. The latter can be defeated easily, and then stays off permanently.

The JLX model gets a 360-degree camera, a first for a Suzuki. While the imaging could be clearer, it’s a nice addition and shows multiple viewpoints should you require them.

S-Cross also debuts a new touchscreen infotainment system for the brand, the JLX with a nine-inch screen complete with Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, voice recognition and sat nav. Like the old one, it’s fairly basic but easy to use. There’s a seven-inch jobbie in the JX with fewer features, though CarPlay and Android Auto are included. There are now seven air bags, and two Isofix and three tether points in the rear. Both models get seat heaters, the JLX with leather-accented pews.

There’s enough rear leg room even if the seat back is a little upright, while the middle belt is hung from the roof. No complaints about the boot but, the tailgate wide, the load height easy and the hold itself sensibly shaped. The floor can be lowered for maximum space (440L), or raised up to create a flat area when the rear seats are folded which, like most things about the S-Cross, is a straightforward process. There is a space saver spare and the braked tow rating is 1200kg.

Suzuki, like most, has suffered from a lack of supply on some models lately but says it has a good initial shipment of S-Cross already on the way. So for those looking for something just that bit bigger than a compact SUV like Vitara, this is worth checking out. The entry level JX doesn’t lack for much or look dissimilar from the JLX, so that’s a handy five thousand that can be saved if the uptick in pricing is a concern.