Suzuki S-Cross VS MG ZS

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.

This is an all-new model, according to the company, sitting on a new, larger platform that adds 107mm to the length, 25mm to the wheelbase and also makes it 9mm wider. That makes for a more spacious cabin, with noticeably more room in the second row. It’s still a small SUV but it probably borders on mid-size in some regards, especially around knee room in the back.

There’s plenty of small item storage space too, with a small tray ahead of the gear selector, a pair of cup holders in the front, good size door pockets, the centre lidded box and a new small shelf on the dashboard, in front of the passenger.

In terms of boot space, MG has packaged the battery underneath the rear seats and opted for a tyre repair kit instead of a spare, so there is a sizeable boot with 443 litres of luggage room.

The twin 12.3-inch screens take care of most functions but MG was quick to point out they have retained several physical buttons for some functions; ‘home’, volume for the stereo, the windscreen demister and an on-off for the air-conditioning.

While physical buttons are a clear positive in terms of usability and safety, the decision to put the demister instead of say, air-con temp or fan speed doesn’t make a lot of sense (surely they’d be more useful every day?).

MG counters that the steering wheel buttons/toggles can be programmed for different functions, including air-con controls but that is an added layer of complexity to what should be a simple function.

More surprising and disappointing is the steering wheel has no reach adjustment, only height, which is almost unheard of these days in modern passenger cars. It smacks of saving money when developing what is claimed to be an ‘all-new’ model, and is an important element to skimp on as it directly impacts how comfortable you feel in the car.