Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid 2022: will the new 48-volt mild-hybrid system be made available in Australia?

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The new-generation Suzuki S-Cross will attempt to make an impact in Australia when it arrives down under later in 2022, though the company is remaining tight-lipped on exactly what we’ll see here.. 

As reported by Chasing Cars last November, the new-gen S-Cross will offer an extensively upgraded level of features and specification, including more safety tech and up-to-date infotainment, as well as a development of Suzuki’s perky 1.4-litre ‘BoosterJet’ turbo-petrol four-cylinder that, according to the Aussie press release, will “add class-leading fuel efficiency without compromising driving performance”. 

Now that the full model range has gone on sale in the UK (ahead of other major European markets such as Germany), we can finally speculate on exactly what might be offered in the Australia – including the 48-volt mild-hybrid system – seeing that our S-Cross hails from the same Suzuki factory in Hungary. 

What does ‘Hybrid’ mean for the S-Cross?

Offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive (‘AllGrip’) forms in the UK, the Australian-market 2022 S-Cross is expected to mirror this approach, even though the outgoing model reverted to front-wheel-drive-only some time ago.

That addition of “class-leading fuel efficiency without compromising driving performance” from the initial press release has ‘mild-hybrid’ written all over it – especially when looking at the specs of the UK car.

This new development of Suzuki’s 1373cc direct-injection, turbocharged four adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid system featuring a 10kW/53Nm synchronous electric motor that acts as both a torque-fill when coasting the engine and a torque boost when strong throttle response is required.

Combined with the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine – now producing 95kW at 5500rpm (down from 103kW) and 235Nm from 2000-3000rpm (up from 220Nm) in UK form – the six-speed automatic S-Cross (we’re unlikely to see the manual) is good for 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds as a front-driver and 10.2 seconds as an AWD. Both have a top speed of 195km/h.

In terms of efficiency, the WLTP combined figure for the new-gen FWD auto is 5.7L/100km, with the AWD auto achieving 6.1L/100km. That’s despite carrying close to 100kg more weight than the rather light previous model.

The combined consumption figure of the outgoing Australian-market S-Cross FWD auto is 5.9L/100km, though that’s measured according to more lenient ADR81/02 or NEDC testing procedures – not the more realistic WLTP standard.

What’s changed on the 2022 S-Cross?

On the outside, the S-Cross has been completely reworked with a more upright front end, more prominent wheel arches, and three-globe LED headlights that repeat a similar design at the rear. There’s also larger combination lamps, standard roof rails and an integrated rear spoiler.

Dimensionally, according to Suzuki’s official UK brochure, the new-gen S-Cross is a dead ringer for the outgoing car. Perhaps Suzuki felt the S-Cross was right-sized because almost every measurement is identical.

That means 4300mm long, 1785mm wide and 1585mm tall, riding on a 2600mm wheelbase. Even the 10.8-metre turning circle is the same. About the only change is a 5mm drop in ground clearance (to 175mm), though weight has increased by 95kg on the front-drive auto – no doubt due to the increase in equipment and safety, and the introduction of the mild-hybrid system.

How about standard equipment?

So far we only know the standard specification for the UK-market 2022 S-Cross and its two-variant range with front- or all-wheel drive, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

The Motion entry-level variant includes seven airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55R17 tyres, LED projector headlights as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry and rear parking sensors. 

Standard safety equipment on the S-Cross Motion includes traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

Stepping up to the UK-market Ultra variant introduces features such as leather seats, a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen with navigation, a panoramic glass sunroof and a 360-degree camera.