The previous generation of Suzuki SX4 didn’t make a huge amount of sense as a company car, but the firm is hoping its replacement – the SX4 S-Cross – is going to change all that.
The thing is, it’s not really fair to draw comparisons. Based on the Swift the S-Cross may bear the SX4 name but has a far bigger boot and a vastly updated interior as well as far better performance, efficiency and road manners.
The version to go for if you’re a company car driver is the two-wheel drive diesel model, which has CO2 emissions of just 110g/km. That means company car tax will be payable on the 16% pay scale, and with P11d values expected to start at around £17,000 for a diesel model you’re looking at monthly tax bills starting at £45.
In an effort to boost fleet and motability sales, Suzuki has launched a fleet-specific version of the S-Cross called SZ-T. Based on SZ4 trim, it adds a satellite navigation system with DAB digital radio, a rear parking sensor kit with parking cameras.
You also get a chrome pack and some bespoke 17-inch alloys to let everyone know you’re not driving any old SX4. We’re expecting monthly tax bills of around £51 for the SZ-T model on the 20% pay scale.
Out on the open road this car performs incredibly well. It’s nimble and refined, with light steering combining with the aforementioned parking aids to make slow-speed manoeuvring a simple task.
Thanks to the higher driving position, the new SX4 also offers great visibility. When on the move you notice the car’s excellent ride quality, which makes simple work of even the most rutted and pot-holed road surfaces.
It’s not the quietest though. The diesel engine certainly wants you know it’s doing its job and is a bit noisy at lower speeds. When the velocity increases this din dies out as wind and road noise take over.
Another small niggle is that interior, which looks dated already and doesn’t feel as high quality when compared to the likes of the Skoda Yeti. The plastics do feel hard-wearing, but they’re likely to scratch easily and may not stand the test of time.
The thing about the SX4 S-Cross is that it does have some short-comings, but overall it’s a very likable product. It has the sort of character which is going to set it apart in an increasingly saturated marketplace.
You can read the full Suzuki SX4 S-Cross review by clicking here.
Also consider:
The Qashqai is one of the best-selling cars in the UK and was the first ‘crossover’ between a hatchback and a 4×4.
An accomplished and practical car, Mitsubishi’s offering boasts an excellent diesel engine and a high level of standard equipment.
The highly acclaimed Yeti is a fantastic drive and also very efficient. It makes an excellent family car thanks to its clever and hard-wearing interior.
