Suzuki has delivered the S-Cross as it should always have been. For 2022, the Small SUV from Suzuki has seen a reimagination and a refocus on who its target market is.

In all fairness, Suzuki probably did not anticipate where its buyers for the original S-Cross would come from.

For all that S-Cross was a more upmarket version of the Vitara, its design attracted an older buying group which was actually not a bad thing as vehicle sales went.

Recognising this however, Suzuki opted to develop the S-Cross to appeal to a broader market and with the 2022 model, the brand has succeeded – and exceeded expectations at the same time.

Suzuki had two options it could have taken with the redesign: either go more for the SUV target or more towards that of the large hatchback.

With the reimagination, Suzuki has gone down the SUV road – most especially with the top end JLX Turbo AWD model, the hero of the three-model line-up.

At the same time as Suzuki redefined the new generation S-Cross, it added advanced electronics, enhanced safety equipment, and contemporary features – many of which will appeal to the modern motorist.

Today’s S-Cross then, benefits from seven airbags, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert in addition to a reversing camera, which is supplemented by a 360-degree view on the top-of-the-line model. 

Styling is another area Suzuki addressed. The younger focused S-Cross gains a more mature level of sophistication, stepping it away from the Vitara, but keeping it in tune with Suzuki’s SUV family.

And on the topic of being in tune, common ground between the Vitara and the S-Cross can be found under the bonnet where the 1.4-litre turbocharged BoosterJet engine delivers fuel efficient performance and refined power delivery – especially when put through its paces in off-road situations. 

Off-road situations are where the S-Cross really excels and yes, we are specifically referring to the AWD version here.

Suzuki’s All Grip AWD system might be considered a soft road option for a soft road SUV, but it actually delivers the goods, having been proven on Suzuki’s small but capable go-anywhere Jimny.

AllGrip uses a simple to use dial up system to give four distinct driving modes: Auto, Sport, Snow – best for gravel – and Lock being the ultimate AWD setting, delivering torque to all four wheels.

S-Cross is a proper all-wheel-drive SUV delivering the perfect balance for the Kiwi lifestyle.