Suzuki S-Cross VS Mazda CX-30

It might be an old interior, but at least Suzuki got the fundamentals right in the first place, while also bothering to update the electronics for it to at least seem more contemporary.

Basics first. In typical SUV fashion, entry and egress are excellent, via tall and wide doors with corresponding apertures. There’s a pleasing sense of space for taller occupants, especially in terms of leg and head room.

Once sat in the driver’s seat, the mid-last-decade looking dashboard is instantly familiar and completely non-intimidating.

Concise and surprisingly elegant analogue dials (now with an auxiliary digital speedo, at last) sit ahead of the driver, along with a reach-and-height-adjustable steering column that allows for people of all shapes and sizes to find the right position. Deep windows provide extensive vision and let lots of light inside, too.

Finished in what looks like stitched leather and chainmail-inspired inserts, the front seats in this Plus grade are wide enough for comfort yet bolstered enough for some support through corners.

We rate them, though driver-lumbar and front-passenger height adjustments are disappointingly absent.

Years ago, reviews lambasted manufacturers for providing “too many buttons”, but after an endless succession of touchscreens housing most (if not all) audio, climate and vehicle control access, we miss the days of the button-fest.

If you do too, the S-Cross obliges with array of climate-control switches and driver-assist buttons located around the driver for fast and definite access.

On the other hand, while Suzuki’s new 9.0-inch touchscreen does a fine job housing other vital vehicular and multimedia functions, it drops the ball with no volume knob.

The alternative looks like a slide control but relies on clumsy pushing. Fail. Luckily the steering-spoke-sited toggles do the same job far better, at least for the driver.

Kudos, too, for the effective and intuitive multimedia system, that packs a lot in a small-ish space. The excellent surround/aerial-view camera rates a mention, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay that hardly ever drops out.

Nobody is going to mistake the extensive plastic trim and other finishes as premium, but it isn’t horrendous, doesn’t inflict occupants with the cheap off-gas stink often found in bargain-basement brands, and absolutely nothing rattled or squeaked in our time with the Suzuki. 

Storage is also impressive, from the large glove box and deep centre bin/armrest to bottle-gobbling pockets on all four doors. Cups are also well-catered for.

However, betraying the S-Cross’ age are the AWOL wireless charging, head-up display (at this price… ), USB-C outlets and configurable instrumentation.

Moving on to the rear seat reveals a family-friendly environment as far as space is concerned, with adequate comfort provided by the (slightly) reclinable backrest and (fixed) cushion. The windows lower all the way down and the folding centre armrest has a cupholder, too.

But while you’ll find a single map pocket and overhead grab handles, there are no USB ports (at all), nor overhead reading lights or rear-facing air vents.

Never mind. At least the rear backrest reclines (a tiny bit) for added comfort, while further back, boot capacity is a useful 430 litres.

The load area is flat and wide and a space saver spare wheel is located underneath the boot floor.

The backrest has a 60/40 split and the floor can be positioned in different locations. Volume jumps to 1230L with the backrests dropped.

If you rate space, practicality and ease above modernity, then, the S-Cross still holds up remarkably well. Just keep in mind that its interior will appear dated compared newer and flashier competition.

At just under 4.4m long, close to 1.8m wide and little over 1.5m tall (with a 2655mm wheelbase) the CX-30 is in the middle of the pack it competes with in terms of key dimensions.

And space up front is more than adequate, with an impressive feeling of roominess for a relatively small SUV.

For storage, there’s a large lidded box (which doubles as an armrest) between the front seats as well as a pair of cupholders in front of the gear-shifter with a bay for wireless device charging ahead of that.

The glove box is big, there are bins in the doors with room for decent size bottles and a drop-down tray for sunglasses sits overhead.

Move to the rear and the amount of space on offer is surprisingly generous. Sitting behind the driver’s seat, set for my 183cm position, I have plenty of head and legroom, although three full-size adults across the back seat will be an uncomfortable proposition for anything other than short trips. A trio of up to mid-teenage kids will be fine.

Adjustable air vents at the back of the front centre console are a welcome inclusion for back-seaters and storage runs to a map pocket (weirdly, on the back of the front seat only), a pair of cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest and bins in the doors with room for smaller bottles.

In-cabin power and connectivity includes two USB-C outlets and a 12-volt socket in the front centre storage box. No USBs specifically for those in the rear, which is a miss for road trips and no 12V in the boot which can be handy when camping or picnicking.  

Speaking of the boot, cargo volume with the rear seat upright is okay for the class at 317 litres, which expands to a healthy 1479L with the 60/40 split-folding backrest lowered. For comparison the Kia Seltos coughs up 433L with the rear seat upright.

The space is illuminated, there are tie-down anchors to help secure loose loads and there’s a space-saver spare sitting under the floor.

And if you’re keen on towing a tinnie or similar you’re good to go for a 1200kg braked trailer (600kg unbraked).