The new-generation Suzuki S-Cross small SUV revealed last week is 100 per cent on track for a 2022 Australian launch, though the company expects supply issues to remain a factor.
Made in Hungary alongside the Vitara, the new S-Cross is already subject to back orders in Europe, which will slow the global rollout somewhat – Suzuki Australia has battled supply shortfalls for even longer than most other brands.
This means the planned arrival timing before June next year could slide into the second half of the calendar year.
Note: This story originally went live on December 8 2021, but we’ve now received a little more clarity around launch timing, set for the third quarter of 2022. We’ve pulled the story forward.
While Suzuki Australia says it’ll be happy with whichever variants it can get its hands on to start with, it’s hoping to put its best foot forward with the S-Cross.
This means the company wants to lob a top-of-the-range spec grade with AllGrip all-wheel drive, giving the company a new flagship offering of sorts.
MORE: Suzuki fitting head units in Australia to ease stock squeeze
The new S-Cross is more of a heavy facelift than a clean-sheet redesign, though it offers more upright and characterful styling that should broaden its appeal.
As 4300mm long it’s the same dimensionally as the old S-Cross, meaning it remains Suzuki’s largest model (Vitara is deceptively small at 4175mm long). For context, the top-selling Mitsubishi ASX measures 4365mm long. Boot space is a decent 430L.
Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine that can be hooked up to an all-wheel drive system. Suzuki has yet to confirm outputs for the new S-Cross, but the same engine in the current model produces 103kW and 220Nm.
European versions of the next-generation S-Cross have a Euro 6 compliant 48V ‘mild hybrid’ version of the 1.4-litre turbo, which is rated at 96kW and 235Nm, slashing fuel use to 5.3L/100km on the WLTP test cycle.
“I’ve put the request in for it,” said Suzuki Australia’s general manager Michael Pachota when we asked about whether S-Cross might be the first Suzuki sold here with this drivetrain.
In terms of spec, the UK market makes for a good guide. The base model still offers alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, a proximity key, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone mirroring
The higher grade receives a surround-view camera, leather seats, a sliding panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation, and a 9.0-inch touchscreen – the brand’s largest factory head unit.
All models also come with a pretty good range of active safety systems including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, remote emergency call, cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping aids.
Once Suzuki’s new S-Cross does arrive, it’ll give the brand a relatively strong range of light and small SUVs comprising the tiny Ignis, rugged Jimny, enduringly popular Vitara, and S-Cross range-topper.
