Suzuki S-Cross vs Volkswagen Tiguan
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 8 Oct 2026, price 21 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Suzuki S-Cross: we're still completing 0-100km/h, warranty and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$33,650est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$44,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Suzuki S-Cross & Volkswagen Tiguan
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Price Breakdown
The Suzuki S-Cross starts from $33,650 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only) before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Tiguan opens at $44,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $37,015 and $49,489 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki S-Cross by roughly $2,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Suzuki S-Cross
- REC-001260 · published 21 Apr 2016Magyar Suzuki Corporation has identified a possibility that during production the front seat back may have been assembled with incorrect stitch seam spacing, outside of the manufacturing control value around the area of the side airbag.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-001259 · published 20 Apr 2016Magyar Suzuki Corporation has identified a possibility that during production the front seat back may have been assembled with incorrect stitch seam spacing, outside of the manufacturing control value around the area of the side airbag.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-001258 · published 22 Feb 2016The rear axle bolts may loosen, come away or break, potentially causing the vehicle to become inoperable.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Tiguan
- REC-006602 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions the power steering motor system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006592 · published 23 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the electric power steering system under certain driving conditions may become temporarily inoperable.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006465 · published 29 Oct 2025Due to a software issue, if the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for an extended period, the brake jolt triggered by the Emergency Assist (EA) or Travel Assist (TA) assistance functions meant to alert the driver may be misinterpreted as the driver braking.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- 11 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Suzuki S-Cross features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Tiguan gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Suzuki S-Cross stands out with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Volkswagen Tiguan counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Suzuki S-Cross gets fabric upholstery while the Volkswagen Tiguan offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Suzuki S-Cross and 3-zone in the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Drivetrain
The Suzuki S-Cross lines up producing 103kW and 220Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic to a 2WD layout.
The Volkswagen Tiguan responds with a 1.4 litre TSI making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a 7-speed dsg driving the front wheels.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 103kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Suzuki S-Cross measures 4,305mm long on a 2,600mm wheelbase, 234mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tiguan at 4,539mm (2,681mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tiguan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 430L in the Suzuki S-Cross and 652L in the Volkswagen Tiguan, giving the Volkswagen Tiguan a 222L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Tiguan leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m diameter
Average
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,682/year for the Suzuki S-Cross and $2,166/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan. That is a $484 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki S-Cross.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Suzuki S-Cross if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Tiguan if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Volkswagen Tiguan: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 66, but the Suzuki S-Cross is $11,340 cheaper
The Volkswagen Tiguan comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 66), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Volkswagen Tiguan ahead by 29), fuel economy (Suzuki S-Cross ahead by 16), practicality (Volkswagen Tiguan ahead by 11). The Suzuki S-Cross will save you roughly $484 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Suzuki S-Cross and Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Suzuki S-Cross is the cheapest at $33,650 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by $11,340.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki S-Cross uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Volkswagen Tiguan holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Suzuki S-Cross, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the largest boot at 652L with the seats up (1,650L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Tiguan makes the most power at 110kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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