Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol review, test drive

Crossover layout not to all preferences.

The 2017 S-Cross facelift came with a larger grille and a new SUV-like chin, which included a significantly needed dose of muscularity. It was incredibly very well-priced too. Nonetheless, Maruti’s midsize SUV by no means very relished the success the Hyundai Creta, for instance, did. And that is in spite of getting just as capable.

Quickly ahead to 2020 and, with no BS6 diesel engine and no new turbo-petrol unit and no all-new product on the horizon, does the S-Cross with just a 1.5 litre obviously aspirated engine basically have that significantly to present? Especially thinking about the section has moved so considerably ahead with the introduction of the Kia Seltos and second-gen Hyundai Creta. The 2020 S-Cross will get both of those, a petrol engine and an automatic gearbox, for the 1st time, but is that genuinely ample to get clients fascinated? Let us get suitable to answering that.

What’s the S-Cross petrol like to generate? 

Maruti’s 1.5-litre petrol engine is common. Putting out 105hp and 138Nm of torque, it is the similar obviously aspirated motor that powers the Ertiga and Vitara Brezza. It is not the most effective or torquiest engine in its class. Rivals like the Creta and Seltos arrive with 140hp and 242Nm of torque from their turbo-petrol versions and even their obviously aspirated 1.5-litre petrol models churn out 115hp and 144Nm of peak torque. And then there is the new Nissan Kicks turbo-petrol and the Renault Duster turbo-petrol, both of those of which get a 1.three-litre direct-injection mill belting out a stonking 156hp and 254Nm of torque. So the S-Cross is clearly outgunned in the ability and torque race.  Also, take into account that the S-Cross only comes with an previous-school four-speed torque convertor automatic – when compared to its rivals’ CVT and dual-clutch automatic models – and items really don’t look too excellent on paper.

105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine shared with the Vitara Brezza, Ertiga and Ciaz.

Technical specs, even so, seldom give you the entire picture. The S-Cross automatic is basically very achieved when pushed in the town. It is sleek and speedy on the attract in get started-prevent website traffic. There are no hesitations or jerks when you get on and off the throttle, and the S-Cross even scoots into gaps in website traffic properly. The torque convertor gearbox corporations up small-speed responses and functions properly with the 1.5 K-series engine. And with less ratios to enjoy with, the gearbox holds on to a lower equipment for for a longer period. Also, keep your foot down and enable the engine rev previous three,000rpm and it even accelerates very well the solid major-stop provides noticeably to the driving working experience.

General performance is not solid for each se and equipment shifts are a little bit gradual, which effects in a leisurely 14.two seconds to do the -100kph dash (in the damp). There is a big hole involving 2nd and third gears, just after which acceleration flattens out for a little bit. Continue to, if you are on the lookout at the automatic S-Cross largely as an urban runabout, it will much more than get the work carried out. In prevent and go website traffic, it is responsive and sleek, which is just what you will need no much more, no much less. Just really don’t be expecting too significantly by way of efficiency when you generate it on much more open roads and highways.

The S-Cross vehicle excels in the town but is not at its very best on the freeway.

The previous-school automatic also has no suggestion-tronic or handbook method, no paddleshifters and no generate modes both. You only get small, 2nd and an overdrive lock-up button for when you want to overtake on the freeway. The automatic prevent-get started function, even so, is very speedy to respond and incredibly useable as a end result.

The four-speed automatic’s shifts are on the slower side.

The 5-speed handbook is clearly the sprightlier of the two gearboxes on present, specially on an open street. The 1.5 K-series engine – even though down on ability – is even now commonly Suzuki: sleek, cost-free-revving and imbibed with a sense of fun in the major-stop of the rev selection. This tends to make it specially satisfying to generate in an energetic method. General performance is also very sprightly the handbook S-Cross did the -100kph in twelve.08 seconds, all over again in the damp. Thanks to the slick-shifting gearbox, driving the S-Cross with some enthusiasm comes almost obviously.

*General performance figures not to Autocar India exam expectations

The crossover is even light-weight and straightforward to generate in website traffic. The engine is speedy to react at small revs – you get a little bit of a nudge in the type of an electric powered assist from the hybrid generate just after two,000rpm – and the clutch is awesome and light-weight. The mid-selection is very flat, even so. Squeeze down on the accelerator a little bit tougher and nothing significantly actually comes about for a few of seconds, and that means you do have to downshift. The mid-selection kick of a diesel is lacking for confident.

Slick 5-speed handbook gearbox can help make the S-Cross enjoyable to generate.

What tends to make the S-Cross pleasurable to generate and be pushed in is a comfy, mature experience. The suspension functions silently and thuds are muffled properly when it goes through potholes. Considering that you are not tossed close to in the cabin too significantly, you can carry a excellent sum of speed in excess of lousy roads. In reality, the made-for-Europe setup (Suzuki and Fiat developed this platform together) functions so very well, the S-Cross is even entertaining to generate. There’s a great deal of fat and come to feel coming through from the steering, self confidence at speed is incredibly excellent and the S-Cross is even surprisingly agile and ready to dive into corners. You are unable to very flick it through a set of bends like you can a Swift. Nonetheless, what is apparent is that with its neat and tidy handling, it is, in reality, so excellent, that this is among the the very best driving Maruti cars and trucks. The brakes are incredibly productive too and with discs all-spherical (unusual in this section) the S-Cross’ halting ability is among the the very best in class.

Journey/handling balance is great.

What’s the S-Cross petrol like within?

If you are common with the S-Cross, you’ll detect there are not too a lot of changes on the within. The S-Cross petrol will get the current SmartPlay display screen interface, with its enhanced person working experience. The dashboard, dials and almost everything else in the cabin is just the way it was and is not essentially a lousy factor. Vast, roomy and ethereal – in spite of the black interiors – the S-Cross’ interior is an very comfy house to spend time in. The large front seats are supportive and very well cushioned, quality degrees are very outstanding and the cabin is also ergonomically sound and straightforward to get in and out of. Even the switchgear is incredibly very well manufactured and functions in a slick method.

There’s no genuine modify on the within.

The S-Cross also has one particular of the most comfy rear seats in its class. There’s a great deal of legroom, the long squab of the seat means thigh support is excellent and what tends to make sitting in the rear even greater is that the backrest is properly angled and can even be reclined by a little sum. Nonetheless, you really don’t AC vents in the rear, and there are no USB or twelve-volt sockets to aid you demand your devices.

Rear seat ease and comfort is a spotlight of the S-Cross.

Wherever the S-Cross falls considerably guiding is when it comes to capabilities. You do get LED projector lamps and automatic headlamps and wipers, but not significantly much more than that. Issues like cooled seats, wi-fi charging and even a sunroof are lacking.

New SmartPlay Studio infotainment process is awesome to use.

Should you acquire the S-Cross petrol?

It is a significantly overused cliché, but the petrol S-Cross is a vehicle you acquire with your head, not your heart. This midsize crossover is roomy, comfy and properly place together on the within, it has a terrific experience and handling balance and, with a Rs twelve.39 lakh sticker for the major-of-the-line automatic variation, it undercuts just about every single automatic in the vicinity – the selection-topping Creta 1.5 vehicle costs Rs four lakh much more, and enhance to the Creta turbo-petrol vehicle and the variation in value rises to Rs 5 lakh. The automatic, nevertheless previous school, basically functions very very well in town.

The S-Cross petrol is another terrific benefit for funds Maruti.

The handbook S-Cross is even greater priced and setting up at Rs 8.39 lakh, it is remarkable benefit for funds. Positive, the engine is not incredibly remarkable, it is a little bit shorter on capabilities and it is a crossover somewhat than a suitable SUV, but at the stop of the working day, it is a vehicle that is terrific benefit for funds. Living in the shadow of its super star rivals, the S-Cross is quite possibly one particular of the most underrated products close to and in this new petrol avatar, which will look for out a new genre clients (who only want petrol and not diesel), the S-Cross has a excellent shot at lastly obtaining the success it deserves.

All price ranges, ex-showroom, Delhi

Also see:

2020 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol video evaluation

Maruti Suzuki S-cross petrol value, variants described

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