Keeping it real on the road with Suzuki

12 Sep 2026

Ian Lamming shares the love for the Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid with wealthy company

My mate? Well, he’s wealthy and a petrolhead too, which is why we get on.

We love cars and motorbikes and he always shows an interest in the model I have on test.

He might own three Ferraris and two ‘runarounds’ that each cost over six figures, but after drinking more than the legal two glasses of wine at my birthday party he’s happy to accept a lift home from the teetotaller host, namely me.

It helps that the test car is the same colour as his 740hp estate, so he’s grateful to slip inside the Suzuki S-Cross, even though it’s a quarter of the price.

No car snobbery here as I tell him, “just keeping it real for you buddy”.

As we climb the long drive to his lofty Bond villain mansion I can tell he’s impressed. “Hey, it’s all right,” he admits. And it is, because Suzukis always are.

The S-Cross is as strangely loveable as anything in the Suzuki range and at a chunk under £30,000 remains a bit of a bargain for such a sure and steadfast vehicle.

This 1.4 Hybrid comes in Ultra trim and is so easy to live with it ferries me around the North of England without me really noticing the sometimes lengthy journeys.

The human-machine interface of many modern vehicles irritates and stresses me beyond words and the Suzuki is a salutary reminder of why we should dump full-on touchscreens and revert to good old-fashioned knobs, buttons and switches.

They work because you can see where they are and what they do, conversely, touchscreens bamboozle and distract from the safe driving experience.

Inside, the S-Cross is built to last with quality fittings and decent specification.

It has everything I need, including a switch with which to turn off the irritating keep lane assistant.

There’s the obligatory Bluetooth infotainment centre and heated seats. If there is a flaw, the glass tends to steam up quickly when the rain decides to fall.

But hitting the air-conditioning button soon clears it away.

The S-Cross interior could not be more practical, authentic and capable if it tried which is why this Suzuki is so easy to drive.

Its 1.4 litre hybrid four cylinder turbo petrol engine, coupled to a smooth running six-speed automatic gearbox, makes the Suzuki peppy in the extreme.

It launches off the mark with alacrity before settling into its stride, moving happily through towns and villages, along sweeping A roads, and being a cheerful companion wafting along at 70mph on the motorways, while returning a frugal 50 miles to the gallon.

Handling and ride are safe, secure and comfortable, and, when the traffic suddenly comes to a halt, the brakes prove to be immense standing the S-Cross on its nose without the need to even dial into the ABS – impressive!

In a world of look-alike SUVs, the S-Cross’ idiosyncratic styling makes it stand out.

There’s a big, bold front grille with signature daylight running lights either side to give it road presence. It is well proportioned and looks wide and stable.

At the back a quirky rear end is smart and well finished with lights that stretch the full width.

S-Cross has that endearing nature that pervades the Suzuki brand. It is capable, engaging and if it meets the approval of the well-to-do it must be more than enough for the rest of us.