On the road

Suzuki S-Cross hybrid Ultra

By Bill McCarthy

In the crowded and highly competitive world of compact SUVs, the Suzuki S-Cross has always carved out a sensible space. It has a loyal customer base who are confident in the product.

It may not feature some of the bells and whistles and luxurious touches of rivals, but this latest version, with a series of upgrades, offers very great value for money in a tight market.

Having said that, some of the features, especially on the range topping Ultra, are real high end, like the full sliding sunroof and clever 360-degree camera.

A major update for 2026

With the comprehensive 2026 model year update, the S Cross is better looking, has an improved interior, and efficient hybrid engine technology, including a 48V mild hybrid option with manual transmission driven here, and a new full hybrid version.

Smart new design

Both look good and now feature a sleek yet, at the same time, muscular design for a strong road presence. It is arguably Suzuki’s best-looking vehicle with a raised bonnet line, a piano black front grille, and new, sharp three-LED position headlamps.

The back end features larger combination lamps and the look is completed by roof rails and an integrated rear spoiler. There are two models: Motion and the Ultra driven here.

Hi tech well well-equipped cabin

The cabin centrepiece is a new nine-inch infotainment display that features controls, infotainment, smartphone connectivity and a three-dimensional navigation map.

It also a 4.2-inch display that shows a range of information including engine output and torque data, fuel consumption, average speed, acceleration and brake operation as well as driving G-force tracking.

Thethe system also allows the driver to use certain smartphone applications with MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection.

The interior is not only practical but also packed with equipment, including dual-zone automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, and front and rear parking sensors.

This Ultra grade adds, which adds polished alloy wheels, leather upholstery and a large panoramic sunroof consisting of two individually sliding glass panels which extends over the front and rear seats.

Standout features

Another standout feature on the Ultra is the 360-view camera, which is fitted as standard equipment and is equipped with four cameras linked to the central display to provide a clear all-round view to the driver. Functions include a 3D opening view which enables the driver to check surroundings before moving off and a birds-eye view which makes parking this SUV an absolute doddle.

Efficient hybrid pwertrain

This model features the 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine uses a belt-driven motor-generator. It assists the petrol engine for a torque boost during acceleration, recovers energy during braking and deceleration to charge the 48V battery. It enables smooth engine stop/start and coasting reduces engine load and fuel consumption.

New auto transmission

This model featured the slick shifting, six-speed manual gearbox, but new for the S Cross is the six-speed fully automatic transmission, available for both Motion and Ultra grades. The transmission also includes paddle shifters for a more engaging drive.

Impressive economy

Economy is good on this model, with more than 50mpg delivered over an extended drive. The official combined mpg for the two-wheel-drive manual model is 49.7mpg, making the performance of this four-wheel-drive model all the more impressive.

Confident four-wheel-drive

This Ultra grade comes with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP ‘Select’ four-wheel-drive system as standard. This system delivers surefooted performance. There are four driver-selectable modes – Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock.

New is the feed-forward function, which sends torque to the rear wheels before slippage occurs, ensuring stability rather than simply reacting to a loss of grip.

The pin-sharp steering keeps the car firmly in the direction you point it, and the grip is huge, providing a stress-free drive.

Comprehensive safety

The safety features are comprehensive, with both active and passive equipment standard across the range.

These include seven airbags and advanced driver-assistance systems like Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Verdict

Now even smarter looking, the S-Cross stands out as a stylish, well-equipped, and versatile compact SUV, offering good value and a strong set of features.s. With efficient hybrid options, standard all-wheel drive on the Ultra grade, and competitive pricing, it makes a sensible choice in its segment.

Factfile

Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Hybrid Ultra
Price: £27,495
Mechanical: Combined 109PS 1,373cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all wheels via six speed manual transmission
Max speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 12.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 49.5 (WLTP)
CO2 emissions: 131g/km
BIK rating: 32%
Insurance group: 16
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Omoda 9 SHS PHEV

By Bill McCarthy

The arrival of Chinese brands continues so rapidly that a brand like Omoda already feels established, despite launching only in the summer of 2024. Now, its new flagship, the all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid Omoda 9, is challenging the premium market.

It arrives as a single, comprehensively equipped model, with all its hi-tech bells and whistles and premium features as standard.

A high end alternative

Clearly a high-end offering, it boasts sharp design, is packed with technology, and is powered by what’s described as a Super Hybrid System (SHS). It delivers blistering pace and a claimed mammoth range of over 700 miles.

Priced from £44,990, it comes with a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year battery warranty.

Developed by parent company Chery International, this plug-in hybrid has a claimed electric-only range of 93 miles – impressive for covering most commutes with zero tailpipe emissions, meaning exemption from congestion charges and lower benefit-in-kind taxation.

Design and styling
It looks good, with what the brand describes as an ‘Art in Motion’ design philosophy, featuring a sleek SUV silhouette and attractive matte finish paintwork.

It features a large signature grille, striking LED light signatures, and pop-out door handles. There are full-width light bars at both ends and standard 20-inch alloy wheels.

Classy hi-tech nterior
The high-tech interior is dominated by a single, curved 25-inch display that acts as a dual control screen –one for infotainment and connectivity, the other for real-time driver information. The main screen features a 14-speaker Sony sound system, smartphone connectivity, and navigation.

While the graphics are top-notch, the menu system isn’t entirely intuitive, though the three rotary controls for climate and drive selection are easy to use.

The cabin features soft-touch materials, leather-trimmed seats, and brushed metal accents. Both the front and outer rear seats are fully electrically adjustable, with heating and ventilation.

The space is light and spacious, aided by a huge electric panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and USB ports for all passengers.

Performance and handling
Power comes from a 1.5-litre, 157 PS petrol engine mated with two electric motors (one on each axle), producing a combined 499 PS and a huge 700 Nm of torque. The driver can select from six settings: Normal, ECO, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Off-Road.

On the road, it hits 60 mph in under five seconds. While very rapid, it’s designed more for comfort, excelling as a motorway cruiser. There’s definitely body roll in corners, but the suspension smooths out most bumps. The hybrid engine is refined and excellent soundproofing keeps wind and road noise to a minimum.

Practicality and Safety
As an SUV, it’s practical, with 600 litres of stowage space, expanding to 1,783 litres with the 60/40 split seats folded. There is also a deep central console and generous door bins.

Safety is comprehensive, featuring Safety is top-tier, contributing to a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Standard kit includes:

Driver Fatigue Alerts
Parking Assist with a 360-degree camera
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian/cyclist detection
Lane Support System
Eight airbags
Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Verdict
The Omoda 9 represents an attractive package with its blistering performance, premium tech-filled cabin, and impressive electric-only range. While its infotainment system requires some familiarisation and its ride prioritises comfort over sporty handling, it presents itself as a quality all-rounder in the competitive premium SUV segment.

The true test for the Omoda 9 will be how it stands up to long-term ownership. But for buyers seeking a well-equipped, technologically advanced plug-in hybrid SUV with exceptional performance comprehensive warranty protection, the Omoda 9 deserves serious consideration.

Factfile

OMODA 9 PHEV
Price: £44,990
Mechanical: Combined 499 PS via a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and twin electric motors driving all wheels via an automatic transmission
Max Speed: 124 mph
0-62 mph: 4.9 seconds
Economy: 43.6 miles WLTP (201 miles full state of charge)
Insurance Group: TBC
CO2 emissions: 38g/km
BiK rating: 6%
Warranty: Seven years/unlimited miles

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