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Cross purposeful ; Suzuki's second generation SX4 rights many of its predecessor's shortcomings. Andy Enright reports [Grimsby Telegraph (UK)](Grimsby Telegraph (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) EVERYONE'S at it. Launching crossover vehicles, that is. The thing is, like almost any rapidly developing vehicle class, it often takes a little time to hit upon exactly the right formula. Suzuki knows this better than most. Its previous SX4 model was a tidy little thing that never quite achieved the sales it deserved. As cars like the Nissan Qashqai have proven, there is an optimum size in this sector and the old SX4 was just too compact to make the big numbers in the sales charts. Niche marketing is all well and good if the niche proves profitable but the SX4 wasn't pulling its weight, hence the car Suzuki has developed here, the SX4 S-Cross. Although it sits on much the same chassis as its predecessor, it's been usefully stretched so it's a more practical proposition for families. Suzuki's modest dealer network will probably mean it won't ever depose the Qashqai but if you live near a Suzuki franchise, it could well be worth consideration. Buyers get to choose between either a 1.6-litre petrol engine or a much preferable Fiat-sourced 118bhp 1.6 diesel, both being offered in front or four-wheel drive guises. The petrol engine is LW fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with an optional CVT transmission also offered. Go diesel and you get a six-speed manual 'box. The S-Cross' chassis is, in effect, a lengthened version of its predecessor's, with another 100mm grafted into the wheelbase and another 70mm added to the overhangs, so off-road ability - for what it's worth - shouldn't suffer unduly from this increase in size. Suzuki has set the SX4 S- Cross up to ride fairly softly and that's a good thing on roads like ours but they've also managed to include a respectable amount of roll stiffness, which means you won't encounter lurching when cornering. The four-wheel-drive transmission features an electronically controlled clutch pack, operated by a four-position switch on the centre console. Choose 'Auto' and it'll stick to driving the front wheels unless slip is detected, whereupon the rear wheels are pressed into action. 'sport' diverts up to 20 per cent of torque to the rear wheels to give livelier handling. 'Snow' offers permanent four-wheel drive, with the system choosing how much torque to split front and rear, while 'Lock' splits the torque equally between front and rear. In becoming a good deal larger, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is within a few millimetres of the Nissan Qashqai and clever packaging inside has made it feel just as spacious. How else do you explain how the S-Cross almost doubles the luggage capacity of the old SX4 and increases rear seat legroom, while adding just 165mm to the overall length? There's also more headroom front and rear and better shoulder width in the back. The 430-litre boot compares well with its key rivals and the false boot floor ensures a totally flat load bay when the rear seats are folded. The exterior styling is pure 'cardboard cutout crossover' insofar as it sticks to the established template with very few surprises. The sharply rising waistline, big headlights and chunky C-pillars are nicely executed but there's little about the exterior of the SX4 S-Cross that will grab your attention. Prices sit in the Pounds 15,000 to Pounds 24,000 bracket, with diesel models starting at around Pounds 17,000. There's a choice of five trim levels - SZ3, SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5. The ALLGRIP 4WD system is only available on the top version for a premium of around Pounds 1,800. You'll need an SZ5-spec model to opt for the CV auto gearbox too. Even the base SZ3 gets 16in alloys, air- conditioning, cruise control, front and rear electric windows, heated door mirrors and a USB socket. There's also a model designed to target the fleet market, the SZT trim featuring 17-inch wheels, silver roof rails, skid plates, satellite navigation, dual-zone air con, DAB radio, plus a keyless entry and start system. The range- topping SZ5 gets high-intensity-discharge headlamps, leather upholstery and a huge twin-panel sunroof. Most customers will choose the DDiS diesel engine and rightly so. It's better to drive and gets strong economy. Suzuki quotes a figure of 67.2mpg for the front- wheel drive version, which is on a par with the less powerful Skoda Yeti GreenLine. Go four wheel drive and you're looking at 64.2mpg. Emissions are well in check with the front-wheel drive diesel recording 110g/km and the four-wheel drive version 114g/km. Choose a petrol-engined model and these numbers range from 125 to 135g/km, while combined cycle fuel consumption varies between 47.8 and 51.3mpg, depending on your choice between two or four wheel drive and manual or CVT auto tranasmission. Perhaps the Suzuki SX4 S- Cross is a tacit admission that the previous generation SX4 was a bit lightweight for the task in hand, but in supersizing the SX4, Suzuki now has a far more competitive vehicle on its books. The problem is that the vehicles it's now competing with are formidable and have bigger dealer networks to back them up. The S-Cross is priced keenly, is well equipped, features very low emissions, offers plenty of space inside and is attractively, if a little anonymously, styled. In all likelihood, it won't outsell cars like the Nissan Qashqai and the Hyundai ix35. That said, it'll certainly do a lot better than its predecessor and makes an interesting alternative to the established faces. Suzuki doesn't have the marketing budget to really propel this car onto the podium of top sellers but judged purely in terms of merit, it's there or thereabouts and cheaper to boot. You can't ask much more than that of it. 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