Post Creta launch: S-Cross Still Promising?

Update: 05 August, 2015, Maruti has launched its first crossover, S Cross in the Indian auto market today at a price tag of Rs 8.34 lac, ex-showroom, New Delhi. Check more on the S Cross launch.

If reports are to be believed, Hyundai advanced the launch of Creta nearly a couple of months just to get in time with the upcoming Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. And it's very much evident that the Creta has stormed the market with plenty of anticipation compared to S-Cross. And as expected Hyundai has put a slightly premium price band and guess what, it seems like Korean automaker will cash out from this brilliant package. However, the S-Cross, is not just any other product, it's coming from the house of Maruti Suzuki - India’s largest passenger car maker. 

Checkout Maruti S Cross Price

To start with, Creta scores full points in terms of looks and sheer road presence over the slightly ‘meh’ looking S-Cross. This said, S-Cross excels when it comes to things under the hood and mechanicals. The crossover is bringing the Fiat’s 1.6 MultiJet to India and this is funny because it brought the powerful 1.6L MultiJet before the Italian automaker itself in the country! The oil burner maybe a whisker short when it comes to power, but it's the blistering 320 Nm of torque, a whopping 60 Nm more than the Creta’s 1.6 CRDi. And with all that power you have been given all-around disc braking - ventilated at the front and solid at the rear; Creta losses out on rear discs. 

Even with all that over 300 Nm of torque, S-Cross delivers more kms per liter compared to Creta, of course, it's a Maruti - long live the cliche - 'Kitana Deti Hai'! The Creta 1.6L CRDi gets an ARAI certified fuel economy of 19.67 kmpl and Creta’s 1.4L CRDi gets 21.38 kmpl. Maruti S-Cross, on the other hand, gets a decent over 20 kmpl for the 1.6L DDiS - 22.7 kmpl while the 1.3L DDiS gets a healthy 23.65. 

But apart from all this, as I mentioned above, Creta is miles ahead of S-Cross when it comes to looks. The flamboyance level is on a totally different territory compared to S-Cross which tries hard to be cool with the large headlamps and beefy proportions. But these stuffs would not help much with S-Cross’ not so inspiring silhouette and drab looking alloys. 

This said, Maruti is not presenting it in the way and things that it cannot do like Hyundai's; they are calling it a ‘Premium Crossover’. With things like cruise control (a segment first), HID projector headlamps (a segment first, again), all-black dash with leather upholstery, 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and standard dual airbags (driver airbag only in the base) and all the NEXA experience company is hyping; it indeed is a premium crossover! And for your info, Hyundai is presenting Creta as the ‘Perfect SUV’, it’s a soft off-roader for heaven's sake, it cannot do off roading like a ‘Perfect SUV’. However, things will get pretty clear on August 05, next week when Maruti will launch the S-Cross. As prices will play a crucial role with Maruti’s debutant crossover.   

Also Read: Compare: Hyundai Creta vs Duster vs EcoSport vs S-Cross vs Terrano vs Safari Storme vs Scorpio

Watch S Cross Expert Review