Suzuki S-Cross 2014 News

Are you tired of getting stuck behind an SUV? If you can’t see through them, you may want to join them.Australia is going to be crawling with a new type of SUV from next year: city-sized soft-roaders. Or as we like to call them, faux-wheel drives.They have the same tall driving position as a full-size SUV (to better navigate the traffic rather than the great outdoors) and yet have the economy of a small car because often they don’t even have all-wheel drive. Handily, they also fit in the same size parking space as a Toyota Corolla.The Suzuki SX4 (now known as the S-Cross) in many ways pioneered this segment; Holden and Nissan followed with pocket-sized high-riding hatchbacks with unusual designs.But Mazda’s CX-3 is the first one that appears to look just right. Due in March, it will soon be joined by the Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, Renault Captur and the reborn Suzuki Vitara (a sign of the times, now with car-like underpinnings rather than a 4WD chassis).Most of these vehicles will be priced between $20,000 and $30,000, the heart of the new-car market — and put SUVs in the driveways of those who want one but, until now, couldn’t afford it.If you thought it was already difficult to choose a new car in the world’s most competitive market, it’s about to get even tougher.

Competitive driveaway pricing from Suzuki Australia has made the new S-Cross SUV cheaper than its Nissan and Mitsubishi rivals by around $2,000.Available from $22,990, the new model replaces the old SX-4 bringing larger dimensions and increased occupant and luggage space as a result. The S-Cross is 160mm longer than the car it replaces with a 100mm longer wheelbase. Boot space is a class leading 430-litres or 1269-litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat.All S-Cross variants are powered by the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 86kW and 156Nm of torque. A five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, though a CVT automatic is available as an option on the 'GL' model and comes as standard on pricier 'GLX' variants. Front or all-wheel-drive for improved off road ability is offered on all S-Cross variants. Performance won't be hair-raising, but fuel efficiency is laudable with the front-drive models capable of 5.8l/100km and all-paw versions offering 6.2l/100km.Suzuki Australia Automobiles General Manager Tony Devers says the S-Cross was designed to cater for the unique needs of Aussie buyers. "We built the S-Cross with Australian consumers in mind, delivering on the key requirements of fuel economy and interior space. The new S-Cross is class leading for both," said Devers. A diesel engine is also offered overseas, however Carsguide understands this powertrain won't be offered locally any time soon.The range kicks off with the two-wheel-drive manual S-Cross GL, priced from $22,990, undercutting entry-level versions of its rivals, including the Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Juke, by around $2,000. The GL comes with 16-inch alloys, roof rails, cruise control, cloth interior, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth with phone and media connectivity, and a four-speaker stereo. The CVT automatic transmission comes at a $2500 premium.The S-Cross GLX is priced from $29,990 and comes as standard with Suzuki's CVT gearbox. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, reversing camera and parking sensors, dual zone climate control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, plus chrome highlights on the doors and rear bumper. The all-wheel-drive version costs $32,990 drive-away – less than Mitsubishi's all-wheel-drive ASX, though the ASX has considerably more power at 110kW.Suzuki's range-topping all-wheel-drive S-Cross GLX Prestige is available from $34,990. This variant comes with the same standard equipment as the non-Prestige GLX, but adds a leather interior and panoramic glass sunroof.All models come as standard with seven airbags, electronic stability and traction controls and ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution. The full Suzuki S-Cross range is on sale now. 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

Suzuki's new S-Cross crossover will replace the ageing SX4 in January, with the likes of Nissan’s Dualis (and upcoming Qashqai) and Mitsubishi ASX firmly in its sights.Compared with the SX4 that precedes it, the S-Cross has grown in size and will now be available as a five-door hatch only, and will sit above the recently launched Holden Trax, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Fiat Panda and Ford EcoSport in the booming compact SUV segment.Priced from $22,990, the S-Cross undercuts both the Dualis and ASX by at least $2000, and looks set to ruffle the feathers of small hatches like the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Nissan Pulsar to boot.The sole engine across all S-Cross variants is a 86kW/156Nm 1.6 litre petrol unit, with a five speed manual available only in the entry variant, with the rest of the lineup paired with a CVT auto.Fuel consumption is listed as 5.8L/100km combined for two-wheel drive S-Crosses, while the heavier all-wheelers consume 6.2L/100km.Three S-Cross trim levels will be offered, with the base $22,990 manual GL adding  the CVT auto for an extra $2500, and the mid-spec auto-only GLX is available in for $29,990, or with all-wheel drive for  $32,990. The top-spec $34,990 GLX Prestige auto is an all-wheel only affair.  The entry GL comes equipped with cruise control, cloth trim, air conditioning, Bluetooth phone and audio, and 16-inch alloys.GLX models add a leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control 6.1 inch multimedia display with satnav, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, auto HID headlamps, wipers and rear-view mirror dimming, silver body detailing and 17 inch alloys.Sitting at the top of the range, the GLX Prestige adds leather trim and a panoramic glass roof with two sliding panels that create a 560mm opening when open.Cargo space is a useful 430L with the  rear seats up, which opens to 1269L with the seats folded. All S-Cross variants come with seven airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_FlynnPricingSuzuki S-Cross GL 2WD (m/t) $22,990Suzuki S-Cross GL 2WD (cvt) $25,490Suzuki S-Cross GLX 2WD (cvt) $29,990Suzuki S-Cross GLX AWD (cvt) $32,990Suzuki S-Cross GLX AWD Prestige (cvt) $34,990

The S-Cross concept SUV unveiled at the Paris motor show this week is ready for production and is expected here late next year or early 2014, a spokesman for Suzuki Australia says. “Europe will get the car first, then we've said we definitely want it,” says company spokesman Andrew Ellis. The S-Cross will fit between the SX-4 hatch and the Kizashi in size and will be the first time Suzuki has made a C-size platform. This platform has a front-drive layout with the ability to support an all-wheel drive system. It will be first used in the production version of the S-Cross - which will be renamed - then used beneath a future hatchback and a sedan. Ellis says the smaller Jimny 4WD and larger Grand Vitara wagon would continue in production and not be replaced by the S-Cross. The SUV version will be available in front-drive and AWD and will face up against compact SUVs including the Nissan Dualis, Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi ASX and Hyundai ix35. While Europe's version will be made in Hungary, the Australian-bound model is to be built in Japan. Suzuki in Europe has already announced it will use a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel supplied by Fiat but that is the only drivetrain detail available at the car's debut in Paris. Ellis says Australia will get a petrol engine and possibly a diesel, but the origin and capacity of these is not yet known. Suzuki is 9 per cent owned by Volkswagen and has access to a strong list of petrol and diesel engines. However, Suzuki and Volkswagen have a fragmented relationship that is soured further by Fiat's rumours that it wants to take over Suzuki. Suzuki supplies to Fiat the SX-4 - also made in Hungary - which is rebadged Sedici. In return, Fiat supplies Suzuki with diesel engines for European cars, including the same 1.6-litre turbo-diesel fitted to the SX-4/Sedici. Suzuki UK sales and marketing director Dale Wyatt, speaking at the Paris show, says the company was “open to a partnership going forward” with production of the S-Cross.  

   

It should make it to Australia in the second half of next year, but will be unveiled at Paris motor show in September. Suzuki currently has the lead in early teases over Mazda, Mini and Jaguar, with a range of other runners - including Porsche - expected to add their efforts over the next month before the show opens to the public on September 29. Show organisers are trumpeting 263 brands from 21 countries for the biggest show this year, pointing also to an attendance of 1.26 million people when it was last held in 2012. But Suzuki is not waiting and has produced a sketch and part-car picture of a concept car called the S-Cross. Its size puts it between the Swift and Kizashi and right into the booming compact SUV segment. It is said to combine emotion, quality and aerodynamics with a much swoopier look than today's SX4, which could continue alongside the S-Cross once it goes into production. "The S-Cross is a completely different concept to the existing SX4. The current car is more of a hatchback, where this is a dedicated SUV," the general manager of Suzuki Australia, tells Carsguide. "It is more like a Nissan Dualis-type of car, but with a lot more style." Devers says the S-Cross points to a new generation of cars from Suzuki, which has been starved of stuff since it burst out with the mid-sized Kizashi. "We're now through the Global Financial Crisis and we're still the only company to be profitable for the past 50 years. Now it's time for the research-and-development work to ramp up," says Devers. "In the next two or three years you will see quite a lot of new stuff." Devers has seen the S-Cross but is reluctant to give any detail ahead of the Paris show, although he sees a place for it in Australia. "If it becomes available to us as a production car, it will probably run parallel to the existing SX4 for a time. It's a very different concept." While Suzuki is teasing, Jaguar has confirmed it will show the production version of the F-Type sports car at the Paris show and Mini has plans to reveal the showroom-ready Paceman. For Porsche, Paris could mean the public showing of the first spin-off from its Panamera four-door luxury car. Despite lots of speculation about a convertible, the next development of the Panamera is now likely to be a station wagon.  

Debuting at Paris motor show in September, the S-Cross points to a future compact crossover vehicle from the Japanese brand. The S-Cross in production form will give Suzuki fresh ammunition in the popular compact softroader market, although it will be interesting to see whether it complements the brand’s SX4 crossover – or replaces it in a few years. Suzuki describes the S-Cross concept as embodying an “Emotion x Quality x Aerodynamics” design theme. The press statement goes on to promise “distinctive dynamic lines” and “design elements that suggest stability and solidity … create a cutting-edge crossover look”. The teaser sketch – and a rendering of a single headlight – aren’t yet enough to judge whether that’ll be the case.  We’ll have to wait until more details are revealed, as the build-up to Paris motor show continues.