The third-generation Suzuki S-Cross SUV went on sale earlier this year with only a mild-hybrid engine, now there’s a full hybrid version available – creatively called the S-Cross Full Hybrid. It’s available to order in the UK now, and replaces the mild-hybrid automatic model in the lineup in the process.
The S-Cross Full Hybrid doesn’t add any more trim levels, instead copying the Motion and Ultra versions from the mild hybrid. The engine itself is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder which is mated to a 140V battery and inverter. Suzuki hasn’t said how much power it produces in the S-Cross Full Hybrid, but in the Vitara Full Hybrid it puts out 113bhp and 138Nm of torque. Suzuki has said the Full Hybrid CO2 emissions stand at 118g/km and it can return 54.3 mpg.
There are two driving modes – Eco and Standard, which changes the frequency of EV driving. This essentially means the hybrid system will kick in more often in Eco mode to boost efficiency. Automatic transmission is standard on the Full Hybrid, with steering wheel mounted shift paddles available for manual shifting. Suzuki’s ALLGRIP off-road system comes on top-spec Ultra models, adding four driving modes; Auto, Sport Snow and Lock.
The S-Cross range kicks off with the £24,999 mild-hybrid Motion which comes with a turbocharged 1.4-litre Boosterjet four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine producing 127bhp and 235Nm of torque. Suzuki says that’s enough for a 0–62mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 118mph. Suzuki also claims it’ll do 53.2mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 120g/km.
Standard safety equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, a parking camera and driver-assistance technology such as lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, blindspot monitoring and hill-hold assist. There’s also heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch driver information display in the centre of the gauge cluster and a seven-inch touchscreen. It also has automatic LED headlights, aluminium roof rails and electrically folding door mirrors. Equipped with the full hybrid powertrain, prices rise to £26,749.
Ultra adds a sliding panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree parking camera, a nine-inch infotainment system and diamond-cut 17-inch wheels. The mild-hybrid Ultra costs from £29,799 and the full hybrid Ultra starts from £31,549.
An interesting quirk of the mild-hybrid system is that the electric motor can be used to keep both the engine spinning when stationary and power the car at up to 10mph, without using any petrol. The motor spins the engine’s crankshaft with the fuel injectors disengaged, which then sends drive through the gearbox to the wheels.
The powertrain comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The flagship S-Cross Ultra comes with four- wheel drive as standard, although this lowers fuel economy to 47.8mpg.
The new S-Cross is 4,300mm long, 1,785mm wide and 1,593mm tall, so it’s slightly smaller in every dimension than the latest Qashqai. The Suzuki’s wheelbase measures 2,600mm and the boot can swallow up to 430 litres of luggage with the rear bench in place.
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