Spec Comparison: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross vs Hyundai Creta

When Maruti Suzuki had introduced the S-Cross to the Indian car market back in 2014, it was supposed to be the premium compact SUV that India wanted. But then, Hyundai brought the Creta to India and the rest is history. Now, the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross has received its mid-life update and along with that, a change in strategy. So, we try to pit the cars against each other, spec by spec, and see if the new S-Cross manages to match the Creta.

Looks and Styling

The S-Cross still carries the crossover styling since it is just a facelift. With the vertically slatted grille and aggressive headlamp styling, it tries hard to demand presence. The Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, due to its SUV design, stamps its class effortlessly. With its height the Creta seems to be a lot bigger and gets all the right ticks when it comes to modern SUV styling.

Interior and equipment

The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross continues to get the all-black interiors like before but with a few tweaks. For example, you get the all-new touchscreen display borrowed from the Baleno and the Vitara Brezza and comes with Andriod Auto as well as Apple Car Play. The Hyundai Creta has always had the touchscreen system with smartphone integration via Bluetooth. With push-button start, dual-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors, rear parking sensors et al, both the crossover SUVs are closely matched in terms of features.

Where the Creta zooms past the S-Cross is the in-cabin feel. While both the S-Cross and Creta have good build qaultiy as well interior quality, the Creta feels bigger from inside. Also with a larger bot, the Creta scores with practicality. And when it comes to safety, the top-spec Creta gets six airbags while the S-Cross gets only two.

Engine and Gearbox

It is in the powertrain section that the Creta trounces the S-Cross out of the way. The new S-Cross comes with a measly 90bhp 1.3-litre diesel engine only with no automatic option as well. The Creta on the other hand gets 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine options with both manual and CVT automatic gearbox options. Also the engines pump out more than 120bhp of power from both the petrol and the diesel mills.

Conclusion 

When compared spec-by-spec, Hyundai offers much more car in the Creta than Maruti does in the form of the S-Cross. But then, the S-Cross is almost a lakh and a half cheaper than the Hyundai and this might be the only reason why the S-Cross would sell in India apart from the humungous brand value of Maruti rallying alongside.