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Road Test
BEST IN SNOW

Suzuki S-Cross Ultra review: £31k motor is comfortable, convenient and a saviour when it snows

THESE photos were taken last Friday – because it was a nice day and the car was box-fresh.

But really what they should be showing is the apocalyptic snow storm that caught up with me 24 hours later in the Peak District.

Suzuki S-Cross Ultra is comfortable, convenient and a saviour when it snows
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Suzuki S-Cross Ultra is comfortable, convenient and a saviour when it snows

Because that’s where this car properly got to shine.

On the A515 between Buxton and Ashbourne I lost count of the stranded cars, Porsches, Transits and lorries we passed in this unassuming Suzuki S-Cross.

It just danced its way to my old girl’s front door thanks to Suzuki’s brilliant ‘Allgrip’ select 4WD system with Snow mode.

Put simply, Snow mode anticipates slippage based on steering and accelerator inputs to provide grip, rather than reacting after grip is lost.

It was my saviour.

There’s also a Lock mode, should the worst happen and you do get stuck in snow, sand or mud.

Lock mode brakes the slipping wheel and transfers torque to the gripping wheels. We didn’t use it because we didn’t need to.

In normal conditions, Auto mode prioritises fuel economy by running in two-wheel drive. It switches to 4WD if it detects wheel spin.

And then there’s Sport mode for . . . absolutely no reason at all if I’m honest.

At no point while guiding this car along a twisting road will you mistakenly believe that you are driving a Ferrari.

What you are driving is a Suzuki, another brilliantly executed Suzuki that offers a lot of comfort and convenience, for not a lot of money.

Prices start at £25k and all the good stuff – adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, heated seats and dual-zone aircon – comes as standard
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Prices start at £25k and all the good stuff – adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, heated seats and dual-zone aircon – comes as standard
In normal conditions, Auto mode prioritises fuel economy by running in two-wheel drive. It switches to 4WD if it detects wheel spin
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In normal conditions, Auto mode prioritises fuel economy by running in two-wheel drive. It switches to 4WD if it detects wheel spin

Prices start at £25k and all the good stuff – adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, heated seats and dual-zone aircon – comes as standard. Not even the big-selling Vitara has the last two.

The top-spec Ultra trim adds 4WD, a bigger 9in touchscreen, 360-degree camera, and a huge panoramic glass roof that slides open to 56cm.

Go for the Ultra if you can afford it. Last observations. All versions come with the same chunky styling and technical lights – like a mini-me Across – and the same 1.4 litre petrol/electric combo.

Ten things YOU should know as a car owner

The 48v mild hybrid system lowers CO2 and adds a smidge of torque under acceleration.

Suzuki will introduce a full hybrid version with more EV capability this time next year.

It has also confirmed its first all-electric models will be ready by 2025.

No rush. Because right now S-Cross will do a job for many people, especially those living in the green bits of Britain.

It’s not flash or cool. It won’t make you sexy or interesting.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

But it is the smart choice.

Because next time there’s a weather bomb you’re less likely to be going home on foot.

Check out the Suzuki Ignis SZ5 Allgrip - the roomy and practical mini SUV
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