Hyundai Creta and Maruti S-Cross are here with an objective of redefining the Indian compact crossover segment. With their attractive styling, modern interior, capable powertrain and upmarket features, both sure does look very strong on paper. However, it has to brave an equally strong and already well established Renault Duster en route to the segment crown. Here is how the three potent compact crossovers stake up against each other.
Dimensions
To boot with, all these compact SUVs have disregarded the sub-4 metre norm in favor of better interior space, road presence and performance. Incumbent Duster is the longest vehicle in its class at 4,315 mm but not by a huge margin as S-Cross joins in at 4,300 mm. Creta measures 4,270 mm in length.
In terms of wheelbase too, the order remains the same with the French car having a class leading figure of 2,673 mm. The Japanese and Korean candidates have a wheelbase of 2,600 mm and 2,590 mm respectively.
Engines and gearboxes
Petrol
Maruti has opted not to offer a petrol engine in its compact crossover but the other two products have the minority petrol SUV fans covered. Both Creta and Duster are available with 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.
Creta’s unit which is derived from Verna produces a healthy 123 PS and 151 Nm of torque while Duster’s petrol mill is good enough for 104 PS and 148 Nm of torque. The former boasts of a 6-speed manual gearbox while the latter settles for a 5-speed unit.
Diesel
Maruti S-Cross and Hyundai Creta are available with two diesel engines while Renault Duster offers the same diesel engine in two states of tunes.
Maruti’s base 1.3-litre powerplant is the smallest of the lot and it produces 90 PS/200 Nm. Hyundai’s base 1.4-litre unit is capable of 90 PS/220 Nm. Renault’s 1.5-litre mill is available in 85 PS/200 Nm and 110 PS/245 Nm avatars. S-Cross’ range topping 1.6-litre Fiat-sourced engine produces 120 PS/320 Nm of torque while Creta’s top-end 1.6-litre motor is tuned to deliver 128 PS/260 Nm.
Renault’s 110 PS motor, both of Creta’s diesel engines and S-Cross’ 1.6-litre motor come equipped with 6-speed manual transmission as standard. The rest make do with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Creta’s 1.6-litre diesel engine also offers the only automatic (6-speed) transmission in the segment whereas, Duster is the only crossover to be available with an all-wheel drive system.
Mileage
Duster 1.6L petrol variant returns an ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 13.05 kmpl. Creta 1.6L petrol betters is rival with a figure of 15.29 kmpl.
Coming to diesel variants, S-Cross 1.3L variant leads the game with an ARAI certified mileage figure of 23.65 kmpl, followed by S-Cross 1.6L variant which is good for 22.7 kmpl. Creta 1.4L delivers 21.38 kmpl while 1.6L manual and automatic variants are capable of 19.67 and 17.01 kmpl respectively. Renault Duster’s 85 PS and 110 PS variants deliver 19.87 kmpl and 19.72 kmpl respectively.
Features
Catering to tech savvy audience who are looking for an upmarket product, all the three emerge as richly equipped crossovers. Here is a brief overview of each model’s top-end features list. Creta clearly has an edge over the competition.
Hyundai Creta: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, VSM, HAC, touchscreen multimedia infotainment system, reverse parking sensor with camera, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel, push button start, 17-inch alloy wheels, projector lamps, LED DRLs, foglights, chrome accents etc.
Maruti S-Cross: Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, automatic headlamps with projectors and LED DRLs, rain sensing wipers, reverse parking sensor and camera, SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, leather wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, push button start and so on.
Renault Duster: Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, Hill Start Assist, ESP, ASR, Understeer Control, MediaNAV touchscreen system, alloy wheels, foglights, chrome exhaust, etc.
Prices
Renault Duster petrol variants are priced between INR 8.35 – 9.70 lakhs and diesel variants have a price range of INR 9.12 – 13.62 lakhs (AWD). On the other hand, Maruti S-Cross is priced from Rs 8.34 lakhs to Rs 10.75 lakhs, for the entry level diesel, while the more powerful DDiS 320 will set you back by Rs 11.99 – Rs 13.74 lakhs. This makes Maruti S-Cross an interesting offering, with cheapest and most expensive variant no offer in the segment. Hyundai Creta has a price range of INR 8.59 – 11.19 lakhs (petrol) and INR 9.46 – 13.6 lakhs (diesel). Please note that all prices are ex-showroom, New Delhi.
Comparo
Brochures
Maruti S-Cross
Hyundai Creta
Renault Duster
Further Read
Hyundai Creta Review
Maruti S-Cross Review
Renault Duster Review
