Re: Maruti S-Cross : Official Review Had a close look at the S-cross today and got a reasonable drive in DDiS200 and the DDiS320. My impressions: Looks:
- While dimensions are big it doesn't have the presence of the Creta or the Ecosport. Not a single person looked at the car when we were test driving.
- The Alpha with the projector lights, and silver sash does uplift the look slightly.
- Alloys are really really boring. Interiors:
- Huge improvement vs other Maruti's. The interiors feel very good but you just don't get the same premium euro feel. Bits and pieces of Maruti are noticeable.
- I felt the Creta looked a bit more upmarket than the S-cross. However for the DDiS200 pricing they are very good. For DDiS320 prices, they don't feel like 17.5L lakh interiors.
- When you sit in the Creta you get this premium feel. It was missing here.
- Front seats height adjust even in lowest setting is too high. Why can't they make the seats go low for a bit more sporty feel!
- Thanks to steering tilt and telescopic, easy to find a comfortable position.
- Rear legroom and width is easily better than the Creta and Ecosport. I would say legroom is better than Duster even but width maybe a little lesser.
- Boot space is definitely on lower side. At first I thought the boot space is measured till parcel shelf and will be much more if you keep the parcel shelf at home. But there's not much height left even after removing. This is due to full size spare which eats up a lot of space. Performance: DDiS320:
- One word : Insane!!
- It's like an on/off switch. Hit 2000rpm and all passengers slam their heads against the head rests. Gives head banging a new meaning. Acceleration is quite insane and scary at times.
- Below 2000rpm, it's dead. There's lots of turbo lag. After driving the Creta 2 days back, the creta felt more drivable below 2000rpm. After 2000rpm, the Creta gives a nice shove but the S-cross is like a full blown karate kick.
- Clutch is on heavier side. It's not the lightest and it's springy as well.
- Gears are easy to slot and nothing to complain. You will need to use this a lot.
- When downshifting for an overtaking manoeuvre, rev matching is not easy. You can't blip the throttle, you need to press and hold for a while till the revs go up then downshift.
- NVH is decent but engine can be heard as rpms go up. Found Creta and Ecosport better in this regard. Creta being the benchmark and Ecosport not too far behind.
- Summary: Awesome highway demolisher. Royal pain in the city with heavy clutch and turbo lag.
- Someone at Maruti Suzuki was watching too much of Top Gear episodes and took Jeremy Clarkson seriously when he said "More Powerrrrrr!". DDiS200:
- Initial response to get moving from standstill is very decent. Better than Ecosport. In my car, just off idle there is a little hesitation unless if you give little throttle. In the 1.3 S-cross, you can start from a small incline without throttle with 3 adults on board.
- Once moving, throttle is a bit dull but I actually found sub 2000rpm it's better than the DDiS320!! After 2000rpm, the 1.3L S-cross will be small spec in the mirror of the DDiS320.
- Once you start moving, the Ecosport has better mid throttle response.
- There is turbo lag but it isn't so bad. After 2000rpm there's no lick just linear increase in acceleration.
- Clutch is much lighter than the DDiS320.
- The DDiS320 had a reassuring click when changing gears. The DDiS feels a bot rubbery but is not notchy as such.
- NVH is decent but not as quiet as Ecosport. Mod Ampere says it's better than his Duster 85PS.
- The DDiS performance is overall quite acceptable. In daily driving the DDiS200 is actually more drivable than the beastly DDiS320.
- Except for the enthusiasts nobody will complain with the DDiS200 performance. Ride and Handling:
- Ride does not like feel anything like a Korean/Jap car. It's more Euro. You won't be mistaken thinking you're sitting in a VW/Skoda D segment car.
- Where the Ecosport crashed over the same roads and jarred the entire cabin, the S-cross demolished the potholes without blinking. The ride quality at slow speeds and as speed picks up is just astonishing. You just don't feel anything in the cabin.
- Moderator Ampere mentioned it's very close to the Duster but the S-cross felt a little stiffer.
- Steering is not feather light like hyundai or other Maruti. Was surprised that at parking speeds it felt slightly more weighted than the Ecosport. That said it's not a heavy steering just not feather light.
- Steering was reasonably well weighted but we didn't drive over any turns or twisties so am not sure how the overall handling and steering will be.
- Brakes were brilliant. Overall:
- The DDiS320 just doesnt make sense at 17.7L on road. You cannot justify however you look at it.
- The DDiS200 Alpha gets a lot of trim and for the 14L price tag is a decent option.
- The DDiS200 Zeta at 11.9L on road bangalore is the pick of the lot. You get most of the equipment for the money including the premium cabin. The same interiors in a 17.7L car vs a 12L car means for 6L lesser the quality is top notch.
The sales guy at Nexa told us majority of bookings are for DDiS200 and even the guys booked DDiS320 have shifted to DDiS200. After the price announcement, hardly any confirmations or new bookings for DDiS320. The Zeta DDiS200 has a waiting period.
After the S-cross, I went back to my Ecosport and was happy with what I have. The DDiS200 was not a big jump enough and the DDiS320 was priced way too high. Moreover the city driving characteristics meant it would be a royal pain for me as I hardly have highway drives.
On the other hand driving the Creta 2 days earlier, did leave me more impressed. The Creta felt like a better all round package vs the S-cross. You get everything in the Creta but nothing that makes you go wow. A bit like my Corolla. After 6 years it's doing the job without any complain. But there's no fun to be had. Just no nonsense, sensible drive in a very comfortable manner.
Last edited by Vid6639 : 10th August 2015 at 12:35.
Reason: adding one point.
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