Suzuki is positioning its new S-Cross as a flagship model – but it carries a price more than $10,000 higher than its predecessor, and despite its fresh face, is familiar under the skin.
The 2023 Suzuki S-Cross has launched in Australia, claimed to herald a new push upmarket for the Suzuki brand – but prices $10,000 to $12,500 higher than before.
Despite being touted as a new model, the 2023 S-Cross is based on the underpinnings of the outgoing model, which was launched in 2013. Suzuki has invested heavily in new front and rear sheet metal, door skins, bumpers, and lighting, however the underlying structure, largely carries over.
But despite the similar chassis, new technology – including a suite of advanced safety features for the first time – and standard all-wheel drive have pushed the base price up by $10,000, to $40,490 plus on-road costs.
The better-equipped S-Cross AllGrip Prestige is priced from $44,490 plus on-road costs – up $12,500 over the outgoing model, making it the most expensive Suzuki car ever sold in Australia.
The range continues with a carry-over 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. – but now with 'AllGrip' all-wheel drive as standard.
Engine outputs are also unchanged with 103kW at 5500rpm and 220Nm from 1500 to 4000rpm.
Fuel consumption is claimed at 6.2 litres per 100km, up slightly over the previous front-wheel-drive S-Cross SUV's 5.9L/100km rating.
Also standard is a multi-mode selector for the all-wheel drive system, with a choice of Auto, Sport, Snow and all-wheel-drive Lock modes.
A new dashboard design is the headline interior change, fitted with either a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the entry-level S-Cross, or a 9.0-inch display in the S-Cross Prestige.
Both include standard satellite navigation, AM, FM and digital DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and integrated trip computer functions.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired in the entry-level model – with wireless CarPlay connectivity added alongside the S-Cross Prestige's larger display, plus a 360-degree camera display with quick-access shortcut button.
Standard features across the range include dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-on LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a 4.2-inch colour instrument display with analogue gauges.
The new S-Cross introduces a suite of advanced safety features – after it was the final model in the small SUV segment not to offer autonomous emergency braking (AEB) on any variant.
Standard safety systems on both models include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver fatigue monitoring (called weaving alert by Suzuki), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a suite of airbags.
The 2023 Suzuki S-Cross is in showrooms now.
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
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Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.