Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Petrol: Same Price, Other Options

Maruti Suzuki has just launched the petrol-powered S-Cross at an attractive starting price of Rs 8.39 lakh. You can have a look at the variant-wise prices and other details here. Like the 2020 Vitara Brezza, the S-Cross has done away with the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel engine in favour of a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech. But for similar money, you could even consider picking up one of the five SUVs listed below:

Hyundai Creta 

Price: Rs 9.99 Lakh to Rs 16.15 Lakh (1.5-litre Petrol variants only)

The Hyundai Creta has been the de facto king of the compact SUV/crossover segment for ages. Sure, the second-gen Creta’s design may not appeal to everyone and the cabin, although neatly laid out, is a bit straightforward for our liking. But the Creta has a lot going for it as it gets plenty of features, a silky smooth 1.5-litre petrol engine and a CVT gearbox that’s more refined than the S-Cross’ 4-speed torque converter. Yes, the top-spec variants are priced at a premium, but the mid-spec variants are decently equipped and get as many features as the top-spec S-Cross. Then, there’s the added advantage of a diesel engine option too. 

Kia Seltos  

Price: Rs 9.89 lakh to Rs 14.34 lakh (1.5-litre Petrol variants only)

The Seltos is nothing but a Hyundai Creta with a Marks and Spencers attire. Both SUVs share the same powertrain and have a similar list of features. At Rs 14.34 lakh, the Seltos’ top-spec variant seems a lot more affordable than the Hyundai, but Kia doesn’t offer the naturally aspirated petrol engine in the top-spec HTX Plus variant. Nevertheless, it offers all the features one needs, making it a strong alternative to the S-Cross. 

Renault Duster

Price: Rs 8.49 lakh to Rs 9.99 lakh

Want a proper midsize SUV that’s priced much lesser than the top-spec S-Cross? You may want to consider the Renault Duster. Sure, the interior is dated and there’s no automatic transmission on offer. But the Duster has one element that the S-Cross lacks: charm. It looks the part, glides over bumps, and is capable of taking you places where other SUVs simply cannot. It might be old, but the Duster sure is gold. We’re sure Renault owners agree with us too. 

Hyundai Venue 

Price: Rs 8.46 lakh to Rs 11.51 lakh (Turbo variants only)

You might call us as mad for recommending a car that sits below the S-Cross. But the Hyundai Venue Turbo has a lot going for it. For starters, the 120PS 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine dishes out 15PS more power than the S-Cross’ naturally aspirated 105PS 1.5-litre engine. It can also be had with more sophisticated transmission options like a DCT (dual clutch transmission) or a clutchless manual. And then there’s the super lengthy feature list which even outshines the S-Cross in certain aspects. All of this at a price that is much lesser than the S-Cross. Tempting, right?

Tata Nexon

Price: Rs 6.95 lakh to Rs 11.20 lakh (Petrol variants only)

Another sub 4-metre SUV that one should consider instead of the S-Cross is the Tata Nexon. This Tata has an impressive safety record, scoring a full five star rating in Global NCAP tests. Its turbo-charged petrol engine is more powerful than Maruti Suzuki’s naturally aspirated unit and the recent facelift has upped it’s premium quotient as well. Best of all, you could pick up the all-electric Nexon EV if you wish to splurge a bit more! 

These are the five SUVs we think one should consider before narrowing down on the S-Cross. And if you’re ready to wait a bit longer, we think you should also have a look at the Kia Sonet, which is set to make its global debut on August 7. Read more about it here.