Suzuki's flagship SUV hanging on, but for how much longer?
The S-Cross was one of five Suzukis to fall victim to updated Australian Design Rules (ADR) that outlined specific performance requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems. This change also affected several Mitsubishi models.
Suzuki Australia announced production of the S-Cross ended in February 2025, ahead of the introduction of the new rules on March 1, 2025.
Since then, there has been no confirmation on whether shipments of the S-Cross would resume with a compliant AEB system, though separate distributor Suzuki Queensland said it was axing the model.
However, Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota says the model is not yet extinct in showrooms.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'From an S-Cross perspective, based on our current inventory, we still have a long sales journey based on what we can supply and what we can sell,' he told CarExpert.
'So we're still re-evaluating that position, but we haven't made a decision yet on S-Cross' future per se.
'We'll continue selling it until we haven't got it, maybe.'
Mr Pachota's vague wording doesn't inspire confidence for the resurrection of the S-Cross, at least as we know it. This isn't surprising, given the S-Cross was comfortably Suzuki's lowest-volume model in its final two full years on sale.
In 2023, it chalked up 598 deliveries, below the 2016 posted by the next-closest Vitara, and followed it up with 706 in 2024, still down on the 1815 recorded by the Ignis. Production for the Vitara and Ignis also ended for Australia when the ADR axe fell. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The current, Hungarian-built S-Cross, launched here in 2022 as a significant update of a model that entered production in 2013.
Suzuki Australia had previously confirmed it would bring a hybrid version of the S-Cross to Australia in 2024, but this never eventuated. The outgoing car is still available on Suzuki Australia's website in both MY23 and MY24 guises, starting at $33,290 and $36,990 drive-away respectively.
As for the Vitara, which was axed by the separate Suzuki Queensland entity, Suzuki Australia has confirmed an updated Vitara Hybrid and new electric eVitara will launch in early 2026. The latter will be Suzuki's first-ever fully electric vehicle (EV).
When asked about early indications for the Vitara Hybrid, which has yet to be confirmed with either mild- or strong-hybrid power, Mr Pachota said he believes 'the Australian consumers are ready for a hybrid Vitara'.
MORE: Suzuki ends production of multiple models for Australia as new safety regs loom
MORE: Suzuki Vitara, S-Cross axed in major Australian market
MORE: Everything Suzuki S-Cross
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