Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013 – 2021) Review

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013 – 2021) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is a simple small SUV, with models launched prior to a 2016 facelift much better looking than later versions.

+Good value for money. Handles well. Strong and economical 120PS 1.6 petrol engine. SZ4 is very well equipped.

-Rear headroom isn’t great. DCT automatic transmission best avoided.

Insurance Groups are between 13–24
On average it achieves 92% of the official MPG figure

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross began life as a simple rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke or Renault Captur. A mid-life facelift did nothing for the looks or its sales prospects, but it’s a sound used buy if all you want is a reliable small SUV. However, a Dacia Duster is more appealing, as is the much better Skoda Yeti. Read on for our full Suzuki SX4 S-Cross review.

Squint at the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross and you’ll see a few similarities to the Nissan Qashqai.

That’s not a huge surprise – the Nissan is a best-seller and it was the benchmark against which the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross was measured.

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross delivers the same sort of SUV package as the Nissan Qashqai or Nissan Juke but came with lower list prices.

The neat styling gives it a silhouette that looks like a halfway house between a regular hatchback and a chunky SUV. However, a facelift in 2016 brought with it a rather ungainly front end that put off more buyers than it attracted.

The cabin is practical and comes with all the creature comforts you’re likely to need, but plastics are a little on the hard side. That said, soft-touch materials make an appearance on the dash – a welcome step up for Suzuki.

Unfortunately rear headroom isn’t great, but for children it should be fine. All models are well equipped – even the entry-level SZ3 gets alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring and daytime running lights.

Engines comprised a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel to begin with – both of which produce 120PS. The petrol was replaced by 1.0- and 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo petrols in 2016 – they are the best engines, but you are saddled with the less attractive facelifted model as a used buy.

The Suzuki’s weight means the steering feels more direct and the ride isn’t quite as bouncy with these lighter petrol units.

If you want an automatic transmission, then you’ll have to take the petrol, which is offered with a CVT as an option. It’s a very typical CVT that works best when driven gently and gets loud when pushed.

Looking for the latest version? You'll want our Suzuki S-Cross 2022 Review

Ask Honest John

Does my car need an oil flush when it is serviced?

"My 2018 Suzuki S-Cross is due for an MoT and service. I have been quoted an additional £50 for an oil flush. At 35,000 miles is this essential or worth it? I’ve been driving for 60 years and am not familiar with this procedure."
Given modern engines use synthetic oils and sticking with the servicing schedule, we would not consider an oil flush as needed.
Answered by Alan Ross

What should I replace my Suzuki SX4 S-Cross with?

"I currently own a 2016 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross manual petrol. After 59000 miles of good service I am wondering whether to update. It was purchased to deal with rough rural roads and occasional snow, although the 4x4 ability has been used only rarely. Would all season tyres be as good as 4x4 with my kind of usage? If I don't stay with Suzuki, what alternatives should I consider? I would need something with a good reliability record and my budget would be about £10k plus the part ex value."
For rough rural roads and only occasional snow, a two-wheel-drive SUV with all-season tyres will be more economical and should be more than capable. A Skoda Karoq with the 1.5 TSI petrol engine could be a good replacement for your Suzuki. It's a very versatile SUV that represents excellent value for money on the used market. Alternatively, the slightly sportier SEAT Ateca would be worth a look, as would the excellent Kia Sportage.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the best car for poor condition roads as well as a motorway commute?

"I live in a rural location which means lots of rough roads and potholes, but I commute a 70- mile round trip to work on a motorway, often at rush hour. I don't do much city driving. I want something around four years old, economical and small that can cope with the bad roads but has speed to overtake for around £12,000. I initially looked at SUVs and test drove a Diesel Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi but it felt light and not in touch with the road. It was a bit lacklustre. Now I think i want a small car like an Aygo, an Ignis or Citigo but I am overwhelmed by the varying reviews. Can you advise?"
This is quite a difficult set of attributes to find in a single car. You say you want something small and economical like a Toyota Aygo or Suzuki Ignis, but cars like this don't tend to come with powerful engines for overtaking, nor are they best-suited to motorways and rough rural roads. We would suggest a small SUV with a diesel engine, giving you the ability to cope with rough roads but with a useful turn of speed and good fuel economy. For your budget we would look at the Mitsubishi ASX, as it is relatively compact, comes with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive and 1.8-litre or 2.2-litre diesels engines depending on the year. Alternatively you could try the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, which is also available with a diesel engine and is well equipped. if you want something smaller, look at a Suzuki Ignis.
Answered by David Ross

Why has my road tax gone up?

"We received a renewal for road tax of £145 for our Suzuki SX4 S-Cross. I have just been to the post office to renew my car tax VED and they have charged me £155. Is this right? "
This is correct, road tax VED increased on 1 April in line with inflation as part of the Spring Budget 2022. As a result, all standard petrol and diesel cars registered after 2017 now pay £165 per year, while hybrids pay £155: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/tax-insurance-and-warranties/2022-03/budget-2022-fuel-duty-cut-but-road-tax-set-to-increase/
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013 – 2021) cost?