Suzuki debuts new S-Cross from $40,990

SUZUKI Australia has announced details of its updated S-Cross SUV this week, the two variant range arriving in showrooms from $40,990 plus on-road costs – $10,500 more than the entry price to the outgoing range.

The redesigned model now offers Allgrip Select four-wheel drive as standard across the line-up but continues to be powered by Suzuki’s 1.4-litre Boosterjet four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine developing 103kW of power and 220Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered as standard.

Suzuki says the “powerful and bold redesigned” of the new S-Cross “raises the bar” in the segment, adding class-leading fuel efficiency of 6.2 litres per 100km and new features and technology to range.

New technology features include a 7.0- or 9.0-inch infotainment display (depending on variant) with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and a 360-degree camera system on the high-grade Prestige variant.

Safety equipment extents to seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure and weaving alert, high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.

Entry grade models are further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, fog lights, automatic LED headlights and rear privacy glass; while the Prestige variant (from $44,490 plus ORCs) add satellite navigation, a panoramic roof and leather-accented upholstery.

The S-Cross range is available in six paint colours including: Cool White Pearl, Energetic Red Metallic, Silky Silver Metallic, Cosmic Black Metallic, Titan Dark Grey Metallic, and Sphere Blue Metallic.

“I am extremely excited to launch our flagship model – the all-new S-Cross,” said Suzuki Australia general manager, Michael Pachota.

“This model is yet another stepping-stone for Suzuki Australia to continue to increase our strong presence in the growing SUV market.”

The Small SUV under $40K segment, in which the S-Cross competes, is dominated by the MG ZS.

The Chinese-made model has sold 13,072 units locally so far this year with a segment share of 16.5 per cent. The ZS places ahead of the Mazda CX-30 (11,036 units and a 14.0% market share), Hyundai Kona (8355 and 10.6%), Mitsubishi ASX (7797 and 9.9%) and Kia Seltos (6267 and 7.9%).

The segment top 10 is rounded out by the Subaru XV (5688 and 7.2%), Toyota C-HR (5555 and 7.0%), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (4746 and 6.0%), GWM Haval Jolion (4614 and 5.8%) and the Honda HR-V with 3419 unit sales and a 4.3 per cent share of the sector.

Suzuki has sold just 152 examples of the S-Cross to the end of August this year, or 0.2 per cent of the Small SUV under $40K segment.

2022 Suzuki S-Cross pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.