Re: Maruti: Vitara Brezza vs S-Cross Okay so i've read each and every comment of this thread and i think i need to weigh in my own opinion.
First of all, as i understand, the OP doesn't have any specific preference in regard to the type of vehicle he wants. He's ready to settle for a disproportionate hatchback, a compact SUV or an MUV for that matter.
So far, he has his sights set on the S-cross 1.6 engine option. But as he said, it's slightly out of his budget.
So basically, he is not buying what he really loves. Note this point. Not buying what he loves.
Now coming to the fact that he has to buy a car that is not a 1.6 S-cross, he has his list boiled down to the Brezza, S-cross 1.3 and a duster.
In my opinion:
The S-cross is severely overpriced. Even after the price-cuts and discounts that are being offered, it's overpriced. It is essentially a well-built hatchback with bells and whistles. No matter what goodies you put into that car, it is still a hatchback. And a very bland looking at that. I am all in favor of understated styling when it comes to cars. But the S-cross is outright disproportionate. It's headlights and the overall face is that of a much bigger(and uglier) car. When you see it head-on, it looks like an old-school stretch-limo's front. Add to that the 1.3 is okay-ish powered and is overpriced.
Why should the OP pay for the suits of NEXA salesmen, the rent of the NEXA dealerships and the iPad's which are used instead of brochures?
I think the S-cross is a waste of money at the current price. Add to that the fact that the OP doesn't even want to buy the 1.3 version. So why buy a compromise of a vehicle, which had been declared a market dud, and is not liked by the Home Minister(wife of OP).
Coming to Duster:
It's an excellent vehicle. Now this is something, whose category which didn't even exist in Indian market before it was introduced. Think of it as a fire-starter!
I have a Terrano, which is essentially a Duster with fancy clothing. This car is spacious(cabin and boot, both), has a very amazing engine and has proper european build build quality. The top variant of 85PS Duster comes with all the necessary things which the OP wants and then some. I havent done my research, but from my own experience i think that the Duster is probably the safest compact SUV in India under 12lacs exshowroom. It's structurally sound. The ground clearance is great. In India, the place where having own home is common but having good roads is a luxury, it's always better to have 205mm and robustness of the Duster. One could argue that there are cars like Honda City and Verna and Vento which are of much less GC but still do fine. But then, have you ever seen them as comfortable and careless on the roads as SUV's?
According to me, having 2 airbags, ABS and a good AC makes for a comfortable and safe car. Duster has it all. It's a tried and tested car. It's a market HIT. It sold in good numbers. It still sells today in decent numbers! Resale is good(Much much better than the S-cross). Maintenance cost is comparable to Marutis. Add to that, it's legendary ride quality, ground clearance, looks, proper dimensions and proportions, big boot AND the discounts. And how can you overlook the fact that it IS a proper SUV. It is a no-match in this segment.
Brezza:
Now this is a very pleasant surprise.
The lovely design, the brand backing it, the no-nonsense black interiors and the ground clearance. Add to that the top model's bells and whistles and the car still doesn't cost more than 10lacs ex-showroom. You HAVE TO be a juggernaut like Maruti to pull off this miracle. This is the most car you're getting for your money.
90bhp is good enough for city's and good for highways. It is no match for 1.6 S-cross in terms of power, but since we're not getting the S-cross, the comparison and competition is mostly 80-100bhp stuff(S-cross 90, Duster 85, EcoSport 90, Ertiga 90, Creta 90).
This is a lovely car from the most trusted brand in India. It's compact and it's light.
How could you ever go wrong with a product which Maruti made specifically for India, in India, after studying India market. Add to that the features and bells and whistles from 1 or even 2 segments above.
This is a fully loaded car(ZDI and ZDI+). Maruti was so thoughtful that they even added the basic safety necessities to the lower models at a measly price of 14000 INR. How great is that? You could buy this amazing SUV, with 2 airbags, ABS, music system, central locking, remote locking, electronically adjustable ORVM's for just 7.5 lacs ex-showroom(LDi with option pack)!!!! You don't even get an S-cross with all this features at 7.5lacs ex-showroom.
If i were you, i'd stop thinking about the S-cross altogether. It's a "premium" car. In all probability its gonna be discontinued soon. If not that, it's gonna get a facelift(which will be a reason of major heart-burn).
I would then put the Duster and Brezza on a 2 sided weighing scale. Since they both meet your minimum requirements(2 airbags, ABS, etc), it boils down to style, build quality, service support and personal liking.
You're buying a car which is going to stay with you for probably 10 years. Would you want to be driving a hatchback by the end of that time? Or would you want some vehicle from the Compact SUV category, a category which is ideal for Indian conditions. |