Here follows the Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Review, we spend quality time with this powerhouse and get quite impressed, our verdict is here
After dominating the small car segment for over three decades in India, Maruti Suzuki is now eyeing towards market share in the premium segment with latest launches. Currently, the Indo-Japanese brand is the leader in the entry level, hatchback, compact sedan and MPV segments in our country. Last year, Maruti Suzuki launched an all new ‘Ciaz’ sedan that replaced SX4 and it’s been doing very good numbers.
As expected, Ciaz became India’s second largest-selling sedan in no time surpassing main rivals Verna, Sunny, Rapid and Vento. But, there are still some segments where Maruti Suzuki didn’t have any products to offer like Premium Hatchback, SUV, Compact SUV, Crossover and Premium SUV segments.
These are the most profitable and demanding segments in India these days and Maruti Suzuki has lots of premium products up in the pipeline. To lay down the foundation among premium customers, the company recently launched S-cross.
Before the introduction of S-cross in India, there were many part-time crossovers available with accessorised /modified versions of hatchbacks like Etios Cross, Fiat Avventura and Polo Cross, however, the recently launched Hyundai Creta and already settled Duster and Terrano are also being considered as S-cross rivals by buyers.
Maruti Suzuki took competition seriously and for the first time decided to bring in Fiat-sourced 1600cc diesel engines. To find out how it’s performing on the Indian roads, we spent almost 2 weeks and covered 1,200km to tell you what the Maruti S-cross really is!
S-cross Price in India:
DDiS 200 Sigma Rs. 8,03,046
DDiS 200 Delta – Rs. 8,74,565
Limited Edition – Rs. 9,55,022
DDiS 200 Zeta – Rs. 9,87,973
DDiS 320 Delta – Rs. 10,23,212
DDiS 200 Alpha – Rs. 10,59,851
DDiS 320 Zeta – Rs. 11,26,158
DDiS 320 Alpha – Rs. 12,03,500
S-cross Interior:
Though the Maruti Suzuki S-cross was launched in August, the Suzuki global product it based on was revealed back in 2013. Despite Maruti Manufacturing it in India, there is no compromise made on the quality side of S-cross as they’re of international standards – you can feel exactly that soon after you open the doors.
All black interiors with leather seats very similar to what we first saw in Sx4 S-cross in the Auto Expo 2014 was there to greet us and switchgear retained from the Swift/Ciaz were likely for the cost saving reasons.
Also Read: Hyundai Creta Test Drive Review
The dashboard with soft touch plastic offered by Maruti Suzuki is of high standard. Nice fit and finish of plastic parts, center console and leather inserted trim can be felt at first glance. The front seats offer a good thigh support but need lumber support during long distance driving.
The premium crossover offers a good front view that is really helpful for not so tall drivers, especially for ladies, thanks to the low height of the dashboard. The centre armrest for driver comes with sliding feature which has deep storage space and USB input facilities.
Two cup holders below the hand-brake in center console and 1-litre bottle space in all four doors are also available alongside Sunglass holder at the front.
At the rear, S-cross comes with ample legroom and shoulder room and is very comfortable even with three passengers. Rear centre armrest is with twin cup holder and seats also have reclining features limited to some extent.
Although it’s not a full-blown SUV as its stance is not much higher, it offers enough headroom for all passengers. Even for a guy of 6′.1” tall like me, there is enough headroom and legroom available at the rear.
S-cross has 353-litres of boot space which is fully utilizable and easy for loading and unloading of luggage. Also, the 60:40 split seat option will enable you to accommodate for more luggage space.
Two deep luggage boxes of around four litres each on either side of the boot can be used to carry emergency accessories such as tyre inflator, power jump cable, towing rope, etc.
S-cross Features:
The S-Cross offers a lot of exciting premium features to the customer. Some premium features are carried over from the Ciaz like Smartplay music system with reverse parking camera and steering mounted audio and telephonic controls.
One new feature added to this premium crossover is the Cruise control which comes to its own during long journeys but it must be used carefully.
Keyless entry with Push Start button, Auto Climatic Air-conditioning, multi functional display are some of the other premium features that can be seen on the S-cross.
All leather interiors with leather wrapped steering wheel, Gear knob, handbrake leaver, front and rear arm rest with soft touch dashboard add more premium-ness to this Crossover.
S-cross comes with standard safety features like airbags and ABS across all variants of both engine options. Apart from that, 16″ tyres, remote central locking, driver seat height adjustment, tilt steering wheel, all four power window, electrically adjustable ORVMs are also standard equipment.
Exterior & Design:
Delhi Auto Expo 2014 witnessed the S-Cross for the first time and since then Maruti Suzuki took around 18 months to bring it to flesh.
The only change Indian specific S-cross gets is the twin-slat chrome grille instead of three-Slat grey grille and Indian-specific alloys wheels that moreover look like wheel caps.
The European version of the S-cross looks better with alloys and three-slat Grille anytime. Faux skid plates have given it a proper crossover look besides big projector headlamp with integrated LED DRLs. That unit is large and quite striking in appearance.
The bottom of the bumper covered with black cladding not only protects the underbody but also gives it a salient look. The cladding houses fog lamps, chrome surround with less shine on it and also a complementing mock bash plate like insert.
From the side view of the car, you might wonder this is not the most exciting design but the lower jaw at front adds a cooler look to the design. The lines from the side flows like a wave and straightens towards the front.
The crossover features 16-inch alloy wheels with multiple spokes which look and feel literally like a wheel cap rather than a stylish alloy.
The disappointing factor is the ground clearance at a segment-low 180mm but on our test drive of 1000+ km, its belly did not kiss the speed breakers even for a single time. The rear looks bolder in style with angular tail lamps and split units whilst full-black bumper with silver inserts makes for a softer look. With the height of 1,590mm, the crossover is just 60mm taller than Swift while 30mm shorter than Ritz.
At 4,300mm long, it’s clearly noticeable with long front nose overhang that helps in easy offering of 2,600mm wheelbase. Except the base end in 1.3L model, all the rest of the variants in both engine options have all 4 disc brakes, an appreciable step by Maruti Suzuki.
Engine and Performance:
As for the powertrain, there are two diesel engine options available. Of which there’s the tried and tested 1.3L 90PS version and a more powerful Fiat-sourced 1.6L engine – which sees only 67% localisation – generating 120PS and a whopping 320Nm of torque. Those torque figures are attained in Skoda Yeti only with a 2.0L power unit.
The 1.6L unit has a big turbo-blast as soon as 1650-1700rpm is reached and occupants are pushed back to their seats as turbo spool up. You can reach 45Km/h in first gear, 85km/h in second and 130 km/h in third.
Fifth Gear is so smooth and powerful that you’d forget going forwards to the top gear. The most easy task while driving this smart crossover is overtaking which is a bit unsafe task on Indian road conditions but the powerful 1.6L machine under the hood assured us to pump the throttle every time.
While remaining in the turbo zone, the S-cross will remain as the king of road. Mileage of 22.7 km/l is what Maruti Suzuki claims for S-cross but we managed 17.2 km/l on our 1000+ km long journey that consisted of hilly road conditions.
Massive pulling capacity of 320Nm torque is one of the main deciding factors in going for 1.6, VFM tag for 1.3
On standstill, you can feel the Air conditioning is shutting off and on frequently, most likely to maximize the fuel economy but inside cooling hasn’t been affected.
While remaining in the turbo zone, the S-cross will remain as the king of road
The crossover has rock solid stability and excellent driving dynamics and added to that has to be phenomenal braking as ABS is equipped on all four disc brakes – another surprising element in S-cross.
Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Specification
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Diesel Tech Specs | |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Type | 4-cyls, 1598cc Diesel |
| Power | 118bhp at 3750rpm |
| Torque | 320NM at 1750rpm |
| Power to weight | 92.91per tonne |
| Torque to weight | 251 NM per tonne |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Diesel Transmission | |
| Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross Dimensions | |
| Length | 4300mm |
| Width | 1765mm |
| Height | 1590mm |
| Wheel base | 2600mm |
| Boot volume | 353 litres |
| Ground clearance | 180mm |
| Tyres | 205/ 60 R16 |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross Suspension | |
| Front | McPherson strut with coil spring |
| Rear | Torsion Beam with coil spring |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross Steering type | |
| Type | Rack and pinion |
| Type of power assist | Electric |
| Turning circle | 10.4m |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Brakes Types | |
| Front | Ventilated discs |
| Rear | Ventilated discs |
| Anti-lock Braking | Yes |
| Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 (Fuel Economy) | |
| City | 15.2 km/l |
| Highway | 19.2 km/l |
| Fuel Tank size | 55 litres |
Maruti Suzuki S-cross 1.6 Review Verdict:
The premium crossover has comfort, style, performance, good mileage, superior built quality, space, excellent braking and above all, an easy on-pocket and nationwide after sales service guarantee.
S-cross is compact comparing to SUV’s but yet comfortable, Spacious and luxurious. The 1.6 version of s-cross is a powerhouse for performance oriented buyers, but expensive.
Maruti S-cross 1.6 has everything to defy your expectation and now with pricing also isn’t a major concern as Nexa dealers offer good discounts in the current festival season, it is the right time to buy this power packed machine.
Pros –
- Rock solid stability
- Luxurious Powerhouse
- Quality interiors
- Excellent driving dynamics
- Maruti Sales and Service reach
Cons –
- No Automatic option
- 1.6 is expensive
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