We review the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross from price to economy and all its features

SUZUKI has been traditionally overshadowed in the crossover market. But will the new SX4 S-Cross finally compete with Japanese rivals Nissan? First impressions are that externally it doesn’t grab you. It’s not particularly chunky or sporty and neither does it afford much confidence that it could cope with much off-road driving.

Compact… The SX4 S-Cross isn’t for families

Suzuki just hasn’t gone to town on the outside styling. Of all the motors here, from the BMW X3 to the Ford Kuga and even the Dacia Duster, the Suzuki is the most understated.

I love the double-sunroof, it opens up the entire vehicle and makes it feel more spacious

The interior looks sleek, though. There is always a temptation to overstyle it, believing every driver wants to see a million dials, knobs and buttons, but that does not make the dashboard very user-friendly. Instead, this is neat, clear and has a mark of real quality.

Squzzes… Not a roomy cabin

The sat nav is intuitive, for example. There’s even a big dial to toggle between Sport or Snow mode depending on the terrain, meaning you don’t need to be a mechanic to access extra traction.

I love the double-sunroof, too. It opens up the entire vehicle and makes it feel more spacious and welcoming for everyone – and keeping family morale high on long journeys cannot be underestimated. We are testing the 1.6-litre petrol – the same engine size is available in diesel – and after hitting the keyless start, I couldn’t even tell the engine was on it’s so quiet. The low purring is testament to the fact I’m sitting in a really high-quality car.

The SX4 S-Cross’s downside in the family crossover market is that it is small. You won’t go for this car if you are juggling kids, pets and loads of luggage on the majority of trips. And with a young family, that’s a major bugbear for me.

Good on fuel… The Suzuki is great on gas

However, it does prove a winner in the economy stakes, it’s competitively priced, enjoyable to drive, tempers the urge to understeer and is stable on braking. I’d feel confident on long journeys but it works equally well as a run-around about town.

We have waited a long time for Suzuki to show us what it can really do when it comes to a modern crossover and this isn’t an anticlimax. The exterior does lack “wow” factor, while the interior is impressive, but the biggest issue is it needs to be just a little bit bigger.