Suzuki S-Cross 2025 : Welcome back to Buckle Up! this is a car back to the family crossover segment — the Suzuki S-Cross.

despite this having a relatively fresh face, this third-generation S-Cross is actually heavily based on the previous one, which was released all the way.

So it does have a massively restyled front and rear end, but underneath, it’s quite similar.

 

Exterior Design and Styling

Front Profile

At the front, you do have some elements of old-school because you’ve got quite a blingy bit of chrome across the front of the car, your large Suzuki S badge down here, and a sensor for some of the more modern safety systems.

You do have some modern touches in terms of full LED headlamps and a lovely gloss black plastic grille. But it’s got a very rugged, old-school-styled front face helped by this brush-guard-style bit of styling down here.

You’ve got elements of black plastic cladding in the bumper and a very bluff front with quite a flat bonnet and little bits of horn over towards your wheel arches.

 

Side Profile

Down the side of the car, you’ll see black plastic cladding around your surprisingly square wheel arches. You’ve got some diamond-cut faced alloy wheels on this model — these are a 17-inch design, and you’ve got a good amount of sidewall there.

There’s black plastic cladding down at the bottom of your A-pillar, but you’ve got a lovely chrome belt line that runs along the bottom of the window line and matches your chrome roof bars.

So you’ve got a bit of utility styling here in terms of those roof bars and this lower plastic section underneath the doors. The side profile is pretty boxy, and your roof line stays quite high throughout most of the car’s length, all the way back to your rear window and large blingy light clusters that merge into a chrome strip across the back.

 

Rear Profile

This heavily restyled back end does bring it a little more up to date, but that old-school chrome element remains prominent.

These light clusters are a clear design, and your bulbs — mostly incandescent — sit within. At the back, we’ve got our large Suzuki S badge, the Suzuki script on the left-hand side, and S-Cross on the right.

Beneath that, there’s a badge that says “Hybrid,” but it lies slightly because this is only a mild hybrid.

The base of the bumper is sturdy-looking plastic with a silvery plastic brush guard for underbody protection.

You’ve got the smallest little boot spoiler, a rear wiper, and overall — the design is inoffensive yet tame.

 

Boot Space and Practicality

If I pop open this manual boot, you’re greeted with 430 liters of space in this model, which has a 1.4L turbo petrol engine in mild-hybrid guise.

The space back here is very boxy, with a chunky false floor and a little bit of room underneath.

If you fold the rear seats down, Suzuki tells you that you get 665 liters of space, but that number doesn’t seem right — it feels like more.

Still, when you fold those seats, you get a lovely flat load floor because of the false floor in place.

You can also lower this floor, and on the sides, there are removable bits of plastic allowing you to fit something wide across the boot.

There are also tie-down points, a 12V socket, and a hook for a carrier bag back here.

 

Rear Seats: Comfort and Space

Climbing into the back seats of the S-Cross is easy because the car sits at a comfortable step-in height.

When you’re back here, it’s relatively comfortable — the material on the seats is a textured woven fabric integrated with fake leather.

However, the Ultra trim comes with a panoramic sunroof, which eats into headroom.

At 5’7½” (173 cm), my hair brushes the ceiling, meaning a 6-foot person would have to slouch.

There’s a good amount of knee room behind my own driving position, but if someone tall is in front, it gets tight.

Width-wise, shoulder room is limited for three adults.

The center seatbelt pulls from the roof, not built into the seat, and while fine for families of four, it’s not ideal for larger adults.

You’ve got ISOFIX mounts on both outer seats for child seats, and the rear doors open wide enough, though not as much as something like a Nissan Qashqai.

 

Features and Quality

The S-Cross brings plenty of old-school charm back here with its basic features and materials.

No rear air vents, only one seatback pocket, a cup holder in the door, and a center armrest with two cupholders.

The door cards are hard, scratchy plastics with minimal highlighting.

Comfortable seats with adjustable headrests and contrast stitching, but no seat base adjustability.

You can slightly recline the backrests — but that eats more into headroom.

 

Front Cabin and Dashboard

Design and Layout

The front seats of the S-Cross are a mixed bag. There are marked improvements over the rear, with more features, but the design still feels old-fashioned.

However, that means you still get physical buttons and dials, which many drivers appreciate.

Dual-zone climate control with real knobs, a 9-inch infotainment system on the Ultra (7-inch on base models), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all included.

The screen layout feels tacked-on, with capacitive buttons below and no physical volume knob — though you do get volume controls on the steering wheel.

Material quality is just okay. Faux leather steering wheel, woven fabric seats with contrast stitching — but cheap door cards.

Still, all controls have a satisfying “clunk,” adding to that dependable Suzuki feel.

 

Practicality and Storage

Practicality is decent.

You get large door bins for water bottles, a glove box with good space, and a couple of cupholders (though oddly shaped).

There’s a sunglasses holder up top, a deep storage cubby under the armrest, and enough adjustment options to find a comfortable driving position.

The steering offers reach and rake adjustment, while the seat has manual height and recline — no lumbar support, but still comfy.

 

Driving Experience

Performance and Engine

• Driving the S-Cross brings the old-school theme full circle.
• Firstly, you’ve got a manual gearbox — a rare thing now!
• Under the hood, there’s a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with a mild hybrid system.
• It produces 129 PS and 235 Nm of torque, with an additional 13 PS boost from the electric motor — but only at low speeds.
• It never drives on electric power alone, so it’s not a “real hybrid.”
• It’s gruff when revved high, but offers decent pull when you drop a gear to overtake.

 

Ride and Handling

The clutch is light, the gearbox feels slightly notchy but precise, and the steering — while light — lacks feedback.

There’s noticeable body roll in corners due to soft suspension, but that same setup makes for a comfortable, compliant ride over bumps.

It’s not a sporty drive, but it’s smooth for city and family use.

Braking performance is okay, but not as sharp as rivals like the Hyundai Tucson.

Fuel economy is decent — Suzuki claims 48.1 mpg, though real-world figures hover around 38–40 mpg depending on terrain and driving style.

 

Refinement and Cabin Noise

Cabin refinement is where the S-Cross feels truly old-school.

You’ll hear road noise, some wind noise, and even cabin rattles on rough surfaces.

The interior feels durable but not premium.

However, Suzuki’s reliability reputation makes up for that — and the manual gearbox adds driver engagement that’s missing from many modern crossovers.

 

All-Wheel Drive and Reliability

The Ultra model comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip AWD system, offering selectable modes like Snow, Sport, and Lock.

While this isn’t a hardcore off-roader, it’s perfectly capable on rough roads or slippery conditions.

Suzuki backs this with a 3-year / 60,000-mile warranty, extendable to 7 years if serviced at Suzuki dealerships — a strong reliability promise.

 

Technology and Safety

Despite its old-school vibe, the S-Cross is packed with modern safety tech:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• 360° Camera System

• 

These systems work well and add confidence, though the interior design doesn’t quite match the modern tech integration.

 

Verdict: A Blend of Old and New

The Suzuki S-Cross 2025 is a quirky mix of past and present.

It combines a refreshed exterior, mild hybrid tech, and solid reliability — yet retains a dated cabin and average performance.

If you’re after value for money, reliability, and comfort over cutting-edge luxury, the S-Cross deserves a look.

But if you want the best overall hybrid family SUV, the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, or Kia Sportage might serve you better.

 

Final Thoughts

Where the S-Cross shines is value and dependability.

It’s not the flashiest or the most advanced, but it’s honest, tough, and practical — a car that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is.

A medium recommendation — test drive it, and if you like its simplicity, you’ll find a lot to love.

Thank you for reading!

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