2022 Suzuki S-Cross leaked

The 2022 Suzuki S-Cross has leaked online, ahead of its full reveal on 25 November 2021.

Images posted by Suzuki Garage on Instagram show the new S-Cross without camouflage, revealing a bolder appearance than today's model, with inspiration drawn from Suzuki's XL6 and XL7 models sold in other markets.

Up front, a new hexagon-like grille is flanked by horizontal LED headlights – connected by a metallic trim strip – sitting in front of a flatter new bonnet.

Chunkier wheel-arch cladding and a reshaped rear pillar feature along the side – though the new car's front pillar (or A-pillar) design and front window profile appear to be similar to the current model, suggesting it isn't a completely clean-sheet design – while at the rear there's a redesigned tailgate with clear tail-lights connected by black trim.

The images don't provide a glimpse inside the cabin, though it's fair to speculate a significant step forward over the current S-Cross (launched in 2013/14) with items including a larger infotainment screen and a new steering wheel.

Zooming into the photos reveals what appears to be a 'HYBRID' badge on one vehicle's tailgate, indicating some form of electrification will be offered with the new model – though whether it will take the form of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system used by the current car, or a more significant Toyota-like parallel hybrid system remains to be seen.

European buyers are offered the S-Cross with a sole powertrain, a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for overall outputs of 95kW and 235Nm, paired with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions driving the front of all wheels.

Australian models, meanwhile, develop 103kW and 220Nm from the same engine (without the hybrid system), paired to a six-speed auto driving the front wheels.

It's possible Suzuki could draw on its ties with Toyota to incorporate a version of the latter's 1.5-litre or 1.8-litre full hybrid systems into the new S-Cross, though this is yet to be confirmed.

It remains to be seen whether any safety updates are on the cards for the Australian market, given the autonomous emergency braking system available with the current S-Cross in Europe isn't offered locally.

The 2022 Suzuki S-Cross will be unveiled on 25 November 2021 at 10am CEST (8pm AEDT). Stay tuned to Drive for the full reveal.