Suzuki has unveiled the second-generation S-Cross. Based on an updated version of the Global C platform, the all-new Suzuki S-Cross gets fresh new styling inside and out and comes powered by Suzuki’s 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine.
With the first-gen SX4 S-Cross having come out all the way back in 2013, the second-generation model makes its world premiere almost nine years later, and going by the pictures, this one doesn’t adopt its predecessor’s crossover philosophy. Suzuki has stressed over the point of the new S-Cross being a proper SUV, and not a crossover like the original was, and you have to say it surely looks the part.
The new Suzuki S-Cross certainly looks a lot more SUV-ish than its predecessor. Up front, the new S-Cross features a much larger piano black grille with a new honeycomb-like pattern. The grille is flanked on both sides by sleek and stylish headlamps with tri-beam LED elements, joined by a thick chrome strip running through the grille with the Suzuki logo in the centre. The front bumper is well sculpted with a new design for the fog lamps and its surrounds; it also features silver skid plates, adding to the SUV appeal. The front bonnet is much flatter now and gives it a proper SUV-like look.
In profile, the new S-Cross looks a lot boxier and gets beefier cladding, something that sets it apart from its predecessor. The window line gently slopes upwards and even gets a chrome garnish. It also rides on new, 17-inch dual-tone, five-spoke alloy wheels. The shoulder line on both sides is much stronger and makes the car looks wider than it is. At the rear, the new S-Cross gets wraparound tail-lamps that are connected by a black strip, an integrated roof spoiler, and an upright boot. The rear bumper is well sculpted too, featuring reflective inserts and a silver skid plate.
All in, it’s a certain step-up from the outgoing S-Cross, but interestingly, despite looking visually bigger, the new S-Cross is identical to the original in terms of dimensions, measuring in at 4,300 mm in length, 1,785 mm in width and 1,585mm in height, with a 2,600 mm wheelbase.
Just like the exterior, the interior of the new S-Cross has been revised as well. The dashboard gets a fresh design, with a larger, free-standing 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system taking centre stage on the dashboard. The central AC vents are now positioned below the screen and look a lot sleeker than before.
That said, Suzuki has carried forward several switchgear from the outgoing model into the new S-Cross. That includes the steering wheel, the gear lever, the power window switches, and even the climate control dials and buttons, among others.
Other notable additions include 360-degree cameras and a large panoramic sunroof. Also included on the new S-Cross for the first time are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure prevention and rear cross-traffic alert.
Under the new S-Cross’ hood is the 1.4-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Peak power output is rated at 129 hp, and torque is rated at 235 Nm, with the mild-hybrid system’s electric motor adding as much as 13 hp and 50 Nm under acceleration. In Europe, the S-Cross will also be offered with Suzuki’s AllGrip Select all-wheel-drive system with different drive modes. Gearbox options will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, and Suzuki has confirmed it will also offer a strong hybrid version of the new S-Cross – which will have a bigger battery and more powerful electric motor to enable pure-electric drive – in Europe sometime in 2022.
Maruti Suzuki launched the first-gen S-Cross in India back in 2015, and while it has been the carmaker’s flagship model since, it has generally languished at the bottom of sales charts, with buyers choosing to go for more butch-looking midsize SUVs available for the same money. While there is no official word on it yet, Maruti Suzuki could well bring the bolder-looking second-gen S-Cross to India, but it remains to be seen if the S-Cross will still have a place in Maruti’s portfolio, given that the next-gen Vitara Brezza is likely to move upmarket, and Suzuki is already developing a new midsize SUV in collaboration with Toyota as part of its global alliance.
