Suzuki S-Cross vs Ssangyong Tivoli

What's the difference?

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Suzuki S-Cross
Suzuki S-Cross

$25,980 - $41,990

2024 price

Ssangyong Tivoli
Ssangyong Tivoli

2019 price

Summary

2024 Suzuki S-Cross
2019 Ssangyong Tivoli
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.4L

Diesel Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
6.2L/100km (combined)

5.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • High prices
  • Dated design
  • Needs 95 RON premium unleaded

  • Boot could be more useful
  • Divisive rear styling
  • Still some naff interior bits
2024 Suzuki S-Cross Summary

Would you consider a European-made small SUV with a terrific turbo engine from one of our all-time favourite hot hatches, a reliable torque-converter auto, ample room for five plus luggage, and all from under $40K?

You’d be at the very least a bit curious, right?

Behold the latest Suzuki S-Cross! Okay. It’s been around the sun nearly a dozen times. And you can clock its age in a couple of key areas.

But this crossover from the class of 2013 is not even close to being the oldest-in-show (stand up, Mitsubishi ASX). And, as our testing revealed, the S-Cross can still teach far newer rivals like the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Haval Jolion and Subaru Crosstrek a thing or two.

Because thoughtful design is timeless. Time, then, to crack open the S-Cross.

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2019 Ssangyong Tivoli Summary

Did you know SsangYong translates to ‘Double Dragon’?

How friggin’ cool is that? Far cooler, at least, than the Korean brand’s history, which the word ‘tumultuous’ barely begins to cover.

After years of ownership woes and a near-bankruptcy, the brand came out the other side with enough stability to field a range of new vehicles, courtesy of its ambitious new owners - Indian giant Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Tivoli small SUV is the first car to launch under the new, cashed-up leadership and when it landed in Korea in 2015 it was solely responsible for the ‘Double Dragon’ brand turning its first profit in nine years.

Fast forward a few years, and a re-booted SsangYong is again confident enough to enter the Australian market, with a four-pronged, all-new SUV assault.

So, does the Tivoli have what it takes to break into our highly competitive small-SUV scene and help SsangYong pull a miraculous Korean turn-around, a-la-Hyundai?

I spent a week in the mid-spec Tivoli ELX diesel to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Suzuki S-Cross 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli

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